Installation: Legendary Lighting Copper Gas and Electric Lanterns User Manual

Overview

Copper Gas and Electric Lanterns combine traditional lantern styling with either a natural gas or propane burner, an electric light source, or an optional electronic ignition system. They are intended for homeowners, builders, and qualified installers who need decorative exterior lighting or, where the specific fixture permits it, an interior lighting installation.

These lanterns use copper housings that naturally change appearance as they age. Heat, weather, and local environmental conditions may gradually shift the finish from bright copper or brass-like tones to darker brown, old-penny, or green and brown patina.

Specifications

• Gas connections use a ¼-inch flare fitting.
• Gas installations use ¼-inch outside-diameter copper tubing or suitable flexible gas line.
• Minimum clearance from combustible construction is 12 inches above the lantern and 6 inches at the sides.
• Post-mount installations require a stable post securely fixed in its foundation.
• Wall- and ceiling-mounted gas fixtures use ¼-inch by 5-inch minimum hanger bolts supplied for the mounting application.
• Electric wall- and ceiling-mounted fixtures use ¼-inch by 4-inch minimum hanger bolts.
• The electronic ignition system operates as a low-voltage system and may use 24-volt wiring or a transformer-fed installation.
• A 14-gauge wire can support a 24-volt run up to 150 feet when appropriate for the installation.
• Propane versions use a propane burner and LP regulator.
• Electronic ignition components include a solenoid valve, transformer, control box, and igniter.

Detailed Description

The copper body protects the burner or electric light source while the door provides access for lighting, inspection, and glass cleaning. A gas model receives fuel through a ¼-inch flare connection. On a post mount, the supply line must retain enough vertical movement for the lantern to slide over the mounting bracket; coiling the line inside the post provides this flexibility.

Manual gas models are lit at the burner tip. The valve controls the gas flow and therefore the flame height. For the best appearance and resistance to wind, the flame should remain at the burner tip rather than rising above it.

Electronic ignition allows operation from a timer, photocell, or ordinary light switch. The igniter starts the flame, while the control box uses flame rectification to detect whether the burner remains lit. If wind extinguishes the flame, the system is designed to reopen the gas path and reignite it automatically.

Electric models connect directly to a household supply through the fixture wiring. The white conductor is neutral, the black conductor is hot, and the green or bare copper conductor is ground. Some fixtures use an SPT cord; its ribbed half connects to neutral and its smooth marked half connects to hot.

Safety

• Have every gas lantern installed by a certified or licensed plumber in accordance with local requirements. Where local rules do not apply, follow the applicable national fuel-gas requirements, including ANSI Z223.1 and CAN1-B149.1 where relevant.
• Keep the specified 12-inch top and 6-inch side clearances from combustible construction.
• Never use a match, lighter, or other open flame to test a gas connection. Apply a soap solution instead; bubbles indicate a leak.
• If a gas odor remains after the supply is shut off, leave the area immediately.
• Disconnect electrical power at the circuit breaker or fuse before installation. Turning off only the wall switch does not eliminate shock risk.
• Do not connect 120 volts directly to an electronic-ignition lantern. The included or correctly sized transformer must reduce the supply to the system’s low-voltage requirements.
• Have a licensed electrician complete electrical connections and verify wire sizing when the installation is uncertain.
• Provide adequate structural support for wall- and ceiling-mounted lanterns. Masonry, brick, and stucco may require anchors that are not included with the fixture.
• Allow the lantern to cool completely before opening it for cleaning or burner maintenance.
• Keep these instructions with the appliance for future reference.

Setup and Installation

Before You Begin

• Unpack the lantern and inspect it for shipping damage.
• Confirm that the box contains the lantern, mounting hardware, and mounting bracket when applicable.
• Review the notes supplied with the shipping carton before beginning installation.
• For electric work, prepare a ¼-inch drill bit and drill when required, a 7/16-inch wrench, step ladder, electrical tape, wire cutters, wire connectors, and any additional supplies required by local code.

Post-Mount Gas Installation

1. Choose a rigid post capable of supporting the lantern. Set the post firmly in its foundation so it cannot shift.
2. Prepare the gas supply with the correct fitting for the ¼-inch flare nut.
3. Leave enough vertical flexibility in the gas line for the lantern to slide onto the mounting bracket. A coil inside the post can provide the required movement.
4. Attach the mount to the lantern.
5. Apply a soap solution to every gas connection. If bubbles appear, shut off the main gas supply, tighten the fittings, and test again.
6. Slide the lantern onto the post and rotate it to the desired orientation.
7. When fastening the bracket to the top of the column, use brass or rust-resistant number 10 hex-head self-tapping sheet-metal screws.

Wall or Ceiling Gas Installation

1. Use the mounting template or the lantern itself to mark the hanger-bolt locations.
2. Install the supplied ¼-inch by 5-inch minimum hanger bolts. Masonry anchors may be required for brick, stone, or stucco.
3. Reduce the gas supply from the exterior wall to a ¼-inch flexible connector or copper tubing.
4. Form a coil from ¼-inch outside-diameter copper tubing so the supply can connect to the ¼-inch flare fitting inside the lantern mounting box.
5. Keep all gas connections within the mounting box dimensions.
6. Test the completed connections with soap solution. If bubbles appear, shut off the main gas supply, tighten the fittings, and repeat the test.

Lighting a Manual Gas Lantern

1. Open the lantern door.
2. Hold a lit match or lighter directly over the burner tip.
3. While keeping the flame over the tip, turn the gas valve counterclockwise.
4. Adjust the valve until the flame reaches the desired height.

A properly adjusted flame stays at the burner tip. A flame that rises above the tip may provide a less attractive appearance and reduced wind resistance.

Electronic Ignition

1. Connect the lantern to properly sized wiring after checking local electrical requirements.
2. For a low-voltage run, select wire large enough to prevent excessive voltage drop. A 14-gauge conductor can support a 24-volt run up to 150 feet when suitable for the installation.
3. For a 110-volt supply, install the transformer in the lantern wall box, ceiling box, or post as appropriate.
4. Connect the transformer’s low-voltage output to the lantern wiring.
5. Never connect 120 volts directly to the lantern or its low-voltage components.
6. Operate the lantern with a compatible switch, timer, or photocell.

Electric Lantern Installation

1. Turn off the circuit breaker or remove the fuse before handling wiring.
2. Confirm that the mounting surface can support the lantern. Reinforce the structure if necessary.
3. For wall or ceiling mounting, use the bracket to mark the bolt locations and install the required hardware. Do not assemble the bracket prematurely.
4. Install ¼-inch by 4-inch minimum hanger bolts. Masonry surfaces may require separate anchors.
5. Connect the lantern’s white wire to the supply neutral, black wire to the supply hot conductor, and green or bare copper wire to the grounding conductor.
6. For an SPT cord, connect the ribbed half to neutral and the smooth marked half to hot.
7. Use correctly sized wire connectors, ensure no strands are exposed, and wrap the connectors with electrical tape.
8. Arrange the wires so they are not pinched or pulled during assembly.
9. Position the lantern, align the fasteners, and tighten the mounting hardware.
10. For ceiling models using an extension, attach the extension to the lantern before mounting the assembly.
11. Seal the top and sides of the mounting surface with suitable caulk or silicone. Leave the bottom unsealed so water can drain.
12. Restore power at the breaker or fuse, turn the switch on, and confirm correct operation.

Adjustable Wall Support Bracket

1. Fasten the wall support bracket with the four supplied ¼-inch by 1½-inch bolts. Use suitable masonry anchors where needed.
2. Place the light bracket on the wall support bracket.
3. Use a bolt through the far-left or far-right bracket opening and the curved slot in the support bracket.
4. Secure the bolt with its lock nut, leaving it loose enough for the lantern bracket to swivel.
5. After gas and electrical connections are complete, rotate the bracket to its final position.
6. Install the top-center and bottom-right bolts. Assemble any top curl while installing the top-center bolt.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Glass and Copper

1. For a manual gas lantern, extinguish the flame and allow the fixture to cool. For electronic ignition, switch the lantern off at the control switch.
2. Open the door and clean the glass with a suitable glass cleaner.
3. Relight a manual gas lantern only after the glass and fixture have cooled and the cleaner has been removed.
4. Wipe copper with a damp cloth.
5. For dirt, grime, or bird residue, use mild dish soap diluted with water.
6. Wipe the surface again with a clean damp cloth.

Do not expect the copper finish to remain unchanged. Heat and climate naturally alter the surface color, and factory-applied patina finishes may vary.

Burner Tip and Propane Air Intakes

1. Turn off the gas and let the burner cool before servicing it.
2. If the flame becomes irregular, place dental floss into the slot at the burner tip and move it back and forth to remove residue.
3. On propane models, inspect the air-intake holes near the bottom of the burner stem.
4. Use a pipe cleaner or compressed air to remove debris from the burner tip, stem, and intake holes.
5. When using compressed air, cover one intake hole while directing air down through the burner tip so debris exits through the open intake hole.

Blocked propane air intakes can disturb the fuel-air mixture and contribute to soot on the glass or burner tip.

Troubleshooting

• Gas odor: Shut off the main gas supply and leave the area if the odor continues. Do not use an open flame to locate the leak.
• Flame rises above the burner tip: Reduce the gas flow with the valve until the flame remains at the tip.
• Uneven or distorted flame: Turn off the burner, allow it to cool, and clear the burner-tip slot with dental floss.
• Propane soot: Clean the burner stem and its air-intake holes with a pipe cleaner or compressed air.
• Electronic ignition does not operate: Check that the switch is on, the transformer is installed, the low-voltage wiring is correctly sized, and no 120-volt supply has been connected directly to the lantern.
• Electric lantern does not illuminate: Confirm that the breaker or fuse has been restored, the switch is on, and the hot, neutral, and ground conductors are connected to the correct fixture wires.
• Loose or unstable fixture: Turn off gas or electrical power as applicable and verify that the post, mounting bolts, support bracket, and building structure can support the lantern.

Warranty

The copper body is covered by a limited lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship or materials. Steel brackets and accessories are covered for one year from the purchase date. Mechanical and electrical components, except transformers, carry a one-year warranty against defects in workmanship or materials.

The warranty excludes damage caused by misuse, abuse, and acts of nature. Copper color changes, environmental patina development, and variations in factory-applied patina finishes are considered natural and are not covered. The warranty also includes specific provisions for glass broken during the original standard shipment, while replacement-shipping expenses remain the customer’s responsibility.

Gas installations must be completed by a licensed plumber and comply with applicable building codes. Electrical connections for electric fixtures or electronic ignition systems must be completed by a licensed electrician. Shipping costs associated with warranty service are the customer’s responsibility.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Copper construction develops a distinctive natural patina, gas models support manual or switch-controlled ignition, electronic ignition can relight a flame after wind interruption, and electric versions offer a conventional wired-lighting option.
• Pros: The installation instructions address post, wall, ceiling, gas, electric, and adjustable-support configurations.
• Cons: Gas and electrical installation require qualified professionals, and exact mounting hardware may vary with the building material.
• Cons: Copper finish changes are expected rather than uniform, and burner-tip or propane-air-intake maintenance is necessary for a stable, clean flame.