I have a GE Hurricane lantern model # 17000, how do I get it apart to put new batteries in it? There is an arrow on the bottom of it pointing to oppen one way and close the other, but nothing is budging.

William, went to Coleman site, looks like you remove screws on bottom of lantern to access and change battery.
Check the attached links to your manual,
"I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button. Check out some of my other posts if you need more tips and info."

http://r1.coleman.com/Manuals/5327.pdf

Rugged Rechargeable Family Size Lantern

Coleman Rugged Rechargeable Lantern Replacement Parts Flashlights...

Battery Buyer Batterybuyer com

If charger can be taken apart and the battery removed, try Batteryspec.com for a replacement battery. Worked for my Vector.

Bulb went off suddenly, put new batteries in, still didn't work. Took pliers and unscewed to four posts by the globe, popped it off, twisted the bulb and it came on. Tried to unscrew it, but was too secure in the lamp, but at least I got the dam thing to work again.

Since batteries and bulbs are new/ok, check for a bad connection. In older version using 4 lantern batteries, open the battery compartment by unscrewing the knob on top of lantern. The lantern bottom comes off once unscrewed (of course you did this to change batteries). There is a "C" clip on the lantern center shaft; remove this by prying with screwdriver or with pliers. Carefully raise the battery contact plate and check slip-on wire connections. Clean as needed (Scotch-Brite works well) and reconnect. Squirt some contact cleaner in exposed switches, work switches back and forth. Inspect circuit board for obvious corrosion or damaged parts (this damage may "total" the lantern). Re-install plate aligning grooves with ribs. Install batteries and test.

Here is a video with a very informative review on the Dietz Hurricane Lantern:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StgMZDRRFe4

Unscrew the bottom, there are two on each side of the battery housing. push both tabs in and slide it out which will give you acess to the bulb.

There are several options to buy replacement batteries for a Coleman rechargeable lantern, model 5348-700. I just picked up two new batteries from www.1000bulbs.com for $4.87 each plus shipping. ($20.99 for 2 with shipping!) Do a Google search for: ub645f1 6 volt - 4.5 ah - f1 terminal battery for other options

Fluorescent lamps need a high voltage in order to ionise the gas inside and make them light up..Torch batteries will not produce enough voltage alone so the battery voltage is boosted by an inverter that is incorporated into the torch or lamp body.

It is unfortunate but the majority of such lamp inverters use the cheapest, nastiest, flimsiest circuitry it is possible to use in such things and having taken a few lamps and torches (of respectable brands) apart and seen such things I find it easy to imagine they were thrown together in a far eastern handbag factory when there was a world slump in handbag sales.

When working correctly the inverter produces a voltage high enough to really surprise anyone touching the wrong parts but they do tend to be unreliable due to the usually low quality.
A handy person could conceivably persuade such a lantern to dismantle and check the switch and wiring and ensure the battery voltage is reaching the inverter but it would need electronic experiece to venture further into the reasons why it stopped working.

A replacement tube could be tried but they fail rarely and rarely do they operate long enough to actually wear out so buying a new tube is likely to be wasted money.

HONEYWELL WEBSITE:
Go to honeywell.com
Under red welcome sign
Bottom red highlighted box literature/image search
Type in thermostat model number
Click on arrow to right
Then click on the PDF files owners manual / installation instructions
If you can’t find what you want, the bottom left and bottom of web
Page, they have homeowners assistance and Home products to get the help you need.

Visit the Coleman site to locate your particular lantern.
http://tinyurl.com/2a9j2xx