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Some Kero-Sun and Toyoset parts

Center Draft Lamp wicks  -  Flat lamp wicks

If you have a question, please e-mail me at milesstair@hughes.net

The photo at left shows this is a Kero-Sun 105 model "N" - the last letter of the lot number.  On some Kero-Sun heaters there may be a number after the model number. If the image at left is missing, click on the box at left and the image should appear.

 The difference between a cotton wick (#4) and fiberglass (#4A)

The first Moonlighter heaters were made with 2" diameter all-cotton wicks, essentially being a modernized, miniaturized Perfection heater system.  These models DID NOT have a safety grill extending over the top of the heater.  The second generation Moonlighter was sold with a fiberglass fiber-topped pinned wick, #4B, which is 2 9/16" inches in diameter.  Owners of the older Moonlighters wanted a fiberglass wick, so those were offered by the factory as replacement wicks.   

The treatment of the two wicks is diametrically opposed.  Wick #4 is all cotton, and if it is allowed to burn dry (run out of fuel), the wick will burn down 1/4" or more every time.  A few times of that and you need a new wick.  A cotton wick will generally last 1/3rd to 1/2 of a heating season before needing to be replaced - assuming the heater is never allowed to run out of fuel.  That, of course, is why the moonlighter heaters were sold with high capacity fuel reservoirs. See http://www.milesstair.com/FLAME_SPREADER_LAMPS_AND_HEATERS.html

Wick #4A has a fiberglass fiber top mated to a cotton filament bottom section.  The fiberglass top does not burn and the lower cotton section is perfect for the capillary action required of wick heaters.  The top of the wick does accumulate tar balls, however, so every couple of weeks the wick MUST be burned "dry."  After the fuel burns out of the wick, the residue on top of the wick burns off and then it is good until it needs dry burning again.  A fiberglass wick should last one full winter heating season.  See http://www.milesstair.com/Kero_Heater_wicks.html

That is the science.  The art of burning is a little different.  Flame spreader heaters burn best with an all-cotton wick.  All center draft flame spreader lamps use a cotton wick, and some of those lamps use a larger wick and produce more heat than a Moonlighter!  All other flame spreader heaters use an all-cotton wick (Aladdin Blue Flame, Perfection, Valor, Beatrice, etc.).  My opinion?  Burn cotton wick #4 but always have a fiberglass wick #4A in reserve, just in case there is a bad storm and  you really, really need that heater to work.
 

RESOURCE INFORMATION:

• Accessories

• Measurements needed if you have an unlisted heater.

• Care and Maintenance of Kerosene Heater Wicks
• Installing Kerosene Heater Wicks - generic for unpinned wicks
• Regular maintenance for kerosene appliances
• Kerosene Fuel Primer
• Kerosene Heaters & Stoves - the difference between convection vs. radiant heaters
• Breaking In New Kerosene Appliances
• Burning Kerosene Heaters at Night
• Kerosene Heater Carts - why carry your heater around?
• Kerosene tank cradles (photo) Building a Cradle
• Owner's Manuals for some Toyotomi heaters, download .pdf file from Toyotomi
• Photo Index

Photos of my KeroSun heaters, from left, a DC-100, WC-105, and an RCA-87.