Lighter problem:
Robert
the make they always fail. This is the latest lighter problem. I have
a brand new Colibri electronic butane lighter, and it worked fine for
the first few refills (Ronson butane) , but now it does nothing. I've
used a match to empty the reservoir and put in the freezer for 10
minutes and refilled it and still nothing. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Robert
Mark McKay
high end lighters long ago....I use throw away Bic's.....rather throw
away a spent $1 lighter that worked well than a $70 lighter that
sucked....)
Mark McKay
Ken Dixon
I've never owned a Colibri that lasted more than a few weeks.
Send/take it back.
--
Ken in Miami
Mark Peeples
The killer word is Colibri. They simply suck. Take it back for a
refund, if you can, and buy an Old Boy.
MP
Tom S.
"Ken Dixon" <nsvm...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message news:ie6n4c$hqv$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Evidently it's not the brand but maybe one's karma.
Paul Z
You're lucky that it worked as long as it did.
Paul Z
S. Anthony Sequeira
Having bought many lighters over the years, it seems to me that the
price is inversely proportional to the working life.
I've had particularly bad experiences with Colibri.
If you want a butane lighter, thought about the Zippo Blu?
http://www.zippo.com/Products/Zippo_Blu_Lighters.aspx
--
S. Anthony Sequeira
++
When nothing can possibly go wrong, it will.
++
Robert
Thanks,
Robert
Ken Dixon
Old Boy's are great lighters (I have two), though they are useless in
the lightest breeze so if you smoke outdoors that's something to consider.
Did you know that for the cost of one Old Boy you could buy 4 or 5 ASP
Zippo's, they make great stocking stuffers :-)
http://www.aspipes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14:2010-asp-zippo-ordering&catid=80:asp-zippos&Itemid=148
--
Ken in Miami
Rob S.
>
> --
> Ken in Miami
Zippo--guaranteed for life! About the only maintenance, other than
filling, is replacing the flint a couple of times a year. After ten
years, I don't think I've ever replaced a wick, just trimmed it and
pulled it up a bit VERY occasionally.
Rob
TBombadil
Robert,
You were on the right track putting that Colibri in the freezer. You
went wrong by ever taking it out.
Bob in SD
Fia
Part of the problem is that you are using poor butane. Use the good
butane. Like others have said, an old boy is a great lighter. The
zippos are nice outdoors but I still prefer the old boy indoors. Of
course they also have those butane inserts for Zippos too. Another
one that like is the Xikar Resource. http://xikar.com/product_lighter_resource.asp
Ken Dixon
I'll second the Xikar Resource. Shop around, prices can vary significantly.
--
Ken in Miami
Robert
>
> - Show quoted text -
I appreciate the suggestion you and others have given but I'm not
looking for another lighter but to fix the one I have. I should have
mentioned that although new, I bought this lighter years ago as a
present for my sister. It came with a cigarette case where the lighter
slides into it. It was never used and after my sister passed away it
was given back to me. I didn't realize at the time when I bought it
that Colibri were terrible lighters.
Robert
Ken Dixon
> I bought this lighter years ago as a present for my sister. It came with a cigarette case where the lighter
> slides into it. It was never used and after my sister passed away it was given back to me. I didn't realize at the time when I bought it
> that Colibri were terrible lighters.
Contact Colibri customer support, they may offer some options.
http://colibri.com/support.html?expandable=0
--
Ken in Miami
Robert
> On 12/15/10 9:59 AM, Robert wrote:
>
> > I bought this lighter years ago as a present for my sister. It came with a cigarette case where the lighter
> > slides into it. It was never used and after my sister passed away it was given back to me. I didn't realize at the time when I bought it
> > that Colibri were terrible lighters.
>
>
> --
> Ken in Miami
Thanks Ken,
I'll check into that.
Robert
Mouse
Robert, when you depress the fill valve after filling the lighter do you
get a spray of liquid butane? If not, you may have to go through a few
cycles of fill and empty to purge the vapor in the tank. Also, is gas
being released when you try lighting the lighter? If yes, can you light
the gas with a match? This will tell you if it is a gas problem or an
ignition problem.
Mouse
Tom S.
"Ken Dixon" <nsvm...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message news:ieajlr$43l$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>> Part of the problem is that you are using poor butane. Use the good
>> butane. Like others have said, an old boy is a great lighter. The
>> zippos are nice outdoors but I still prefer the old boy indoors. Of
>> course they also have those butane inserts for Zippos too. Another
>> one that like is the Xikar Resource. http://xikar.com/product_lighter_resource.asp
>
> I'll second the Xikar Resource. Shop around, prices can vary significantly.
I had am Xikar that lived about six months before the mechanism jammed and the finish wore off.
Sent it back and got a brand new one in about four days time.
Then the finish (gun metal) soon started to wear off...
I have a Vector three-flame cigar lighter that is bullet proof, and one of their pipe lighters that is similarly reliable. Both are a couple years old and get steady use.
David Griffith
> On 12/15/10 2:24 AM, Fia wrote:
>> On Dec 13, 3:50 pm, Robert<maginee...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> I swear I have the worst problems with lighters than anyone, whatever
>>> the make they always fail. This is the latest lighter problem. I have
>>> a brand new Colibri electronic butane lighter, and it worked fine for
>>> the first few refills (Ronson butane) , but now it does nothing. I've
>>> used a match to empty the reservoir and put in the freezer for 10
>>> minutes and refilled it and still nothing. Any suggestions?
>>
>> butane. Like others have said, an old boy is a great lighter. The
>> zippos are nice outdoors but I still prefer the old boy indoors. Of
>> course they also have those butane inserts for Zippos too. Another
>> one that like is the Xikar Resource. http://xikar.com/product_lighter_resource.asp
> I'll second the Xikar Resource. Shop around, prices can vary significantly.
I like it... Though that'll have to wait behind several other more
important purchases.
--
David Griffith
davidmy...@acm.org <--- Put my last name where it belongs
Robert
>
> - Show quoted text -
Yes, when I depress the valve after filling I get a spray of butane.
Perhaps I should try another butane? I have written Colibri about the
problem but as yet haven't heard back from them.
Robert
Robert
> "Ken Dixon" <nsvmi...@bellsouth.net> wrote in messagenews:ieajlr$43l$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
I appreciate the suggestions but as I stated in my reply to Ken I'm
not actually looking for a lighter but to repair the one I have as it
has special meaning for me. If it isn't repairable, then I'll just
keep it for the memories.
Thanks,
Robert
Cupojoes
have seen it clog many a good lighter. Sadly, the lighter manufacturer
is always blamed for the problem, whether it's Dunhill, Dupont, or
Colibri. In my experience, dirty butane is the number one cause of
lighter failure. Number two is the failure to follow the manufacturers
refill instructions. Many lighters need the flame adjustment fully
closed or fully opened to be filled correctly. (check instructions)
Also, all lighters need to be adjusted after filling. Chances are,
that ronson butane has clogged the lighter. Always use triple-refined
or better butane.
Jim Murray
I've read the litany of responses to your lighter problems and I could
not agree more with what everyone has said.
I saw where you said you'd just stick with matches and that's a great
idea. However, while I prefer matches, also use a lighter very often
(especially in the car). I have found that those expensive, high end
lighters are not worth the money. I have owned many and most stopped
working within six months. I have found that the IMCO Prometheus
lighters are inexpensive ($14.95) and work great. I have several and
have never had a single problem with them...they always work!
They don't use any fancy electronic ignition systems....just a plain old
flint lighter, that happens to be butane refillable. They come in two
types and used to come in both black and chrome finish, but have not
seen the chrome version in some time. I've bought mine at
https://www.tobacco-barn.com/, but I've been them other places as well.
I've even seen them at several of my local tobacconists.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Happy Puffing!!
Jim
--
Jim Murray
Email: jim.m...@verizon.net
Web Site: http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze43wza/
Mark Peeples
I understand the "special meaning" point of wanting to repair the
lighter. Colibri, historically, has kept a poor inventory of spare
parts, so if the lighter has more than 3-4 years on it they probably
wouldn't be able to fix it.
My wife spent $140 back in 1996 for a 10th wedding anniversary present
to me. Within 6 months I sent it back for repair, and then again at 9
months. When I got it back the second time, they had replaced the seal
around the little "level window"; when I filled it, spray came out the
gasket of the window. Thay had not even checked to see if it would fill
and hold pressure!!
Never again will I spend a dime on a Colibri product, and NEVER mention
the brand around my wife!!!
MP
Mark Peeples
I sometimes see retailers trying to back up product, .........
IMNSHO, Colibri puts out trash product, and backs it up with trash
customer service.
Always use triple-refined or better butane, but NEVER buy a Colibri.
The below was posted previously,
Robert
The lighter/cigarette case came with no papers that I remember or if
they did they are long gone by now. So it's impossible to 'check
instructions'. Can you give me some examples of triple-refined butane?
Dunhill?
Thanks
Robert
Robert
I forgot to ask, how does one unclog a lighter? I sound like a newbie
even though I've been smoking pipes for over 37years and know my way
around pipes but lighters have never been my strong point as I always
use matches.
Robert
Mark McKay
them...most all suck but a freebie I got from JRCIGARS.....that one
still works well.....when I first got on ASP we had this same
topic...someone said you need 4...one one the way to the shop....one in
the shop....one on the way back from the shop....and one to use....but I
am confused...I thought they folded...they still have a service
department?
Cupojoes
> I forgot to ask, how does one unclog a lighter? I sound like a newbie
> even though I've been smoking pipes for over 37years and know my way
> around pipes but lighters have never been my strong point as I always
> use matches.
Unclogging a lighter can vary form easy to difficult, but usually
requires some mechanical know-how. I don't encourage anyone to take
apart anything (including your car) unless they are confident that
they can re-assemble it correctly. The lighter needs to be
disassembled and the location of the clog determined. Sometimes it's
the nozzle, sometimes the hose from the tank to the nozzle and
sometimes the valve that feeds gas to the nozzle. For cleaning, I use
specialized tools - Q-tip, pipe cleaners, toothpicks (flat ones, good
for scraping), paper clips, safety pins, tweezers and of course, a set
of small jewelers screwdrivers. Oh yeah, Zippo fluid works great for
removing most residue.
Cupojoes
> they did they are long gone by now. So it's impossible to 'check
> instructions'. Can you give me some examples of triple-refined butane?
> Dunhill?
Colibri's refill instructions are here:
http://www.colibri.com/refill.html?expandable=1
As far as butane, almost all lighter-manufacturer-branded butane
(Dunhill, Colibri, Lotus, Xikar) in the 50g or 55g cans, comes out of
the same production facility in England. The purity or refinement
level is not listed on any of these cans and I have no idea what it
is. Typically, I sell 320ml (170g) cans branded as vector, king, or
occasionally under another name. They are labeled as triple, quadruple
and sometimes even quintuple refined. They do not indicate the country
of manufacture, but I'm pretty good at identifying east asian
cardboard. I have found the Dunhill and Xikar butanes to be pretty
good, but I use the larger cans since they are much more economical
and at least tout the purity.
JtN©
> I swear I have the worst problems with lighters than anyone, whatever
> the make they always fail. This is the latest lighter problem. I have
> a brand new Colibri electronic butane lighter, and it worked fine for
> the first few refills (Ronson butane) , but now it does nothing. I've
> used a match to empty the reservoir and put in the freezer for 10
> minutes and refilled it and still nothing. Any suggestions?
>
> Robert
Robert,
There have been many answers so far but the most correct answer is you
done screwed the poochie when you used Ronson fuel. No it aint because
it is a nasty dirty fuel but because you didn't use Colibri fuel in
that Colibri lighter.
We gots all these responses and such about triple and sixnipple and
quantlipple refining of fuels and such but that is all just a bunch of
bullpooty when it comes to your problem of not using Colibri fuel.
You see your problem is dirty fuel but your problem is you blew up
your lighter from the inside out. I'm surprised ole retailer Cup-O-Joe
hasn't told you exactly why Colibri tells you to use Colibri fuel. No
its not exactly like Xikar and others who just want to sell you there
bottle of fuel but it is because of the pressure that the fuel is
packaged at. Colibri fuel is not at as high a pressure as all the big
canned cheap alternative fuels so each time you fill your Colibri with
any high pressured fuel can you damage the seals in that ligher
because of the higher pressure filling the lighter.
So in short it really aint the lighter its you. You did use a crappy
dirty fuel that will clog lighters but you screwed yourself and not
blame it on the lighter because used high pressure cans of fuel to
fill your lighter. Granted you probably were not aware of that part
since nobody told you but dont let it happen again. Send it in to
Colibri and let them clean it and fix it and when it comes back use
Colibri fuel and have no more problems.
JtN ©2010
Cupojoes
> You see your problem is dirty fuel but your problem is you blew up
> your lighter from the inside out. I'm surprised ole retailer Cup-O-Joe
> hasn't told you exactly why Colibri tells you to use Colibri fuel. No
> its not exactly like Xikar and others who just want to sell you there
> bottle of fuel but it is because of the pressure that the fuel is
> packaged at. Colibri fuel is not at as high a pressure as all the big
> canned cheap alternative fuels so each time you fill your Colibri with
> any high pressured fuel can you damage the seals in that ligher
> because of the higher pressure filling the lighter.
You may be right, Mr. ©2010. Perhaps that is why Colibri and others
recommend turning the flame adjustment all the way down before
filling. It seems to me that the pressure required to keep butane in a
liquid state within a lighter tank would be considerable, whereas the
pressure required to force liquid butane from a pressurized canister
into an empty tank would be minimal. Anyway, where can we get some
authoritative info on the canning pressures of different cans of
butane?
JtN©
Why dont you call Colibri and the others you mentioned. It was back
when Colibri first started with multi flame cigar torches that the
pressure explanation was told to me by a Colibri sales rep while I was
bashing his companies poor quality lighters and asking him to replace
the one he had. He did and he handed me a can of Colibri fuel to use
to fill it and thats all I bought for and used in that lighter till it
went missing more than a few years later and never had a single
problem with it.
JtN ©2010
Cupojoes
> Why dont you call Colibri
I'm not gonna call colibri. I only sell one of their products, and I
didn't sell Robert his lighter, so my interest in this thread was
merely one of trying to offer my experienced opinion. Ronson butane =
icky sticky poo-poo. I did learn two things from you. 1) that older
colibri lighters are not heavy duty enough to handle a little extra
pressure when filling (this may change in the future as the company
has recently come under new ownership), and 2) there is at least one
satisfied colibri customer out there!
Mickey
You've also learned that there's a good reason many of us have JtN in
out permanent killfiles. ;-)
Ken Dixon
lighters? I need something I can lose and not get pissed off about it.
--
Ken in Miami
Bill Burney
Ken, I'd suggest Imco. It's a lightweight little refillable lighter
with an angled flame. Works just fine for pipes, has a way to carry
spare flints and sells for less than $10. Second choice would be
Bentley. The Bentley sells for a little bit less than the Imco and
comes with a tamper (of sorts). Both are pretty reliable and about as
cheap as refillables go.
Bill "hth" Burney
Cupojoes
Colibri !
No really, get an Imco if you want good & cheap.
Ken Dixon
Thanks Bill.
--
Ken in Miami
Ken Dixon
Appreciated.
--
Ken in Miami
flatulent1
I know a lot of people are down on Colibri; I am not one of them. I
have something approaching 15 Clip lighters (got most of them when I
discovered they were being discontinued) and perhaps 2/3 of them work,
including the first three I purchased some 20 years ago. Extremely
handy lighter. I stopped using them regularly when I got a few Old
Boys.
It's those damn Zippos I have problems with. They always seem to be
dried out when I want to use them.
__
Fred Latchaw
Seattle WA
"No no", said the penguin,
"It's just ice cream."