Ken Don't worry the carbide was and is in a sealed container. I read the wikipedia entry on carbide lamps and calcium carbide. When I have a minute I'll also read the info sent over on caves.org Apparently the residue can be used as garden lime when it's dried out so, to a keen gardener, it may be of use. I do like the look of those lucas lamps but probably wouldn't use it regularly so would only be for novelty value if I do get one. Thanks for the warning. Julius
On 18 Feb 2007, at 22:09, Ken Sanford wrote:
> Julius
>
> Damn good thing to get the carbide out of your loft! It looks like
> grey gravel but when it gets wet it gives off very flamable
> atcetylene (sp?) gas! Carbide + water yields gas, and a gooey pasty
> residue is left in the bottom of the lamp. A typical lamp gives
> light for two hours or so.
>
> Carbide lamps were used as bicycle lamps many years ago - mainly in
> northern latitudes when winter means you ride both to and from work
> in the dark.
>
> I used them extensively in the sixties and seventies when I was
> exploring caves. Today, the advent of long lasting battery powered
> lcd lights has rendered carbide lamps even more obsolete.
>
> Perhaps for display purposes on a pre WW II bike...
>
> Ken Sanford
> Kensington, MD
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julius Naim"
> <julius.naim@gmail.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 4:10 PM
> Subject: [CR]carbide lamps
>
>
>> Hi
>>
>> I came across some calcium carbine in my loft during a clear out,
>> I didn't know what is was and found it was used in lamps for
>> caving and cycling.
>>
>> I was wondering if anyone uses carbide lamps on their bicycles,
>> perhaps like this one;
>> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/
>> I was thinking of getting one and a bit more info would be
>> interesting/useful
>>
>> All the best
>>
>> Julius Naim
>> London, UK