Lighter Refilling

[bigtoys]

When refilling a lighter, how do you know when to stop. I was told to go 5 sec at a time. Will you just get some spray back?? It won't explode, will it?? No "window" to see butane level.

[mauied1101]

fill it until there is a little spray back - it's normal, and no, it won't explode.

[bigtoys]

That took a long time. Good to know
Got 2 Xikar Executive lighters and they came empty.

Thanks.

[Newfie]

One more thing BT, every so often, you have to purge the air and remaining fuel out. Maybe one of the FOGs here can elaborate better as to why, but sometimes my Nibo torch won't light, and it won't take any more fuel. I have to drain it, refill and then I could solder with it if I wanted!!!

[Monk]

Also, not all lighters will spray back. Once you have filled the lighter you need to wait awhile before using it to let the gas stabilise.

-W.

[SuperChuck]

One more thing BT, every so often, you have to purge the air and remaining fuel out. Maybe one of the FOGs here can elaborate better as to why, but sometimes my Nibo torch won't light, and it won't take any more fuel. I have to drain it, refill and then I could solder with it if I wanted!!!

Whenever possible, I purge mine every time I fill it. I usually use a small screwdriver to depress the fill hole. Probably not something you want to do while smoking, or near an open flame. :)

[Newfie]

MONK:
Thanks for pointing that out. I meant to, but forgot. My Nibo does not spray back at all.

CHUCK:
In our younger days, purging it near a flame probably would have been the hilight of the day!! When I purge mine, I just hold the lighter valve (not the refilling valve, the main activator clicker) open 'till it's drained. I'm kinda hesitant about damaging the filler stem with the prybar ...... shit ....... I mean screwdriver!!

[JHarri31]

One more thing BT, every so often, you have to purge the air and remaining fuel out. Maybe one of the FOGs here can elaborate better as to why, but sometimes my Nibo torch won't light, and it won't take any more fuel. I have to drain it, refill and then I could solder with it if I wanted!!!

I don't qualify as a FOG, but the answer as to "why" is that the butane canisters use CO2 (or maybe O2) as a delivery system for the butane. Thus, everytime you fill the lighter the CO2 ends up occupying some of the space inside the lighter. Since it doesn't burn the CO2 levels gradually increase to the point where the you need to "bleed" the lighter to remove in.

[slcraiders]

Sweet. I am glad this thread started. My Nibo torch (prob the same model as Newfie's) has not been the same the last couple of weeks. It sputters an intermittent flame that dies out after about 2 seconds. I just did the "drain the air" trick, refilled it, and.... ...tah dah: Good as new!

THANKS!!!

[WOXOF]

That took a long time. Good to know
Got 2 Xikar Executive lighters and they came empty.

Thanks.

I have an Executive also. I've never had any sprayback when refilling mine. Maybe I'm not filling it up enough. It's a great lighter, but be careful when you've had too much to drink. On more than one occasion I've held my lighter upside down by mistake and burnt the hell out of my pinky finger.

[cls515]

but be careful when you've had too much to drink. On more than one occasion I've held my lighter upside down by mistake and burnt the hell out of my pinky finger.

[bluesman455]

you NEED to purge before re-filling or the fuel will not go in,just depress the filler tube untill little or no pressure is left,then shake butane can a little and depress and fill,I hold it in for about 20 seconds or if you have a sight glass untill it's full.Wait a minute or so before lighting so the gas can change back to a liquid.