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Last post 21 years ago by GetYourOwn. 9 replies replies.
Bowman lighters... ?
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goldengoose7 Offline
#1 Posted: Fri, Aug 2 2002, 8:12 PM EST
Joined: 06-28-2002
Posts: 310
I just had to ask about these having aquired several of them through CBID in those Gringo III packages. The lighters work great when they first arrive, but and although they are supposed to be refillable, I will be damned if I can get them to work after they run out of their initial charge of butane.

I bought some of the Colibri Butane refill from CBID and did the refill number on two of these things, and neither one of them work afterwards! Am I doing something wrong or are these lighters just garbage>

I figured someone here would have some experience with these things. Thanks in advance!
SteveS Offline
#2 Posted: Fri, Aug 2 2002, 8:37 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
the torch lighters work fine until you refill them ... because the pressure from the factory fill is higher than you can overcome with the refill can ... it blocks the refilling process ... the fix is, push the little refill gizzee so that all the factory pressure inside the lighter is released, THEN use the can to refill it and turn the flame up higher too inasmuch as it is set low (again, that factory pressure) ... it should then work fine ...

also, you'll want to take note of JJs post about letting excess gas, if any, dry before you strike that flame or you'll have a first-rate up-close and personal chance to see if you agree with his thought that hair on the backs of your hands is an over-rated thing ...

another tip you might want to try is one I learned from CWilhelmi a couple of weeks ago ... take one of those cans of compressed air you'd use to clean your computer keyboard and blow out the flame port periodically .... keeps it clean and the lighter working right ... finally, I guess it goes without saying that you should avoid the drugstore lighter fluid ... Ronson or whatever ... those're nothing but lighter poison ... always use Colibri or some other triple- or more-filtered fluid ...
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#3 Posted: Fri, Aug 2 2002, 10:26 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
goldengoose7

after you have emptied all the old butane from the lighter, before you refill it, turn the flame set to minimum, usually clock wise.

when it's full return the flame set to it's original position or a bit higher.

let it sit longer than you think necessary before you light it. too long is better than not long enough. an hour should be safe.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#4 Posted: Sat, Aug 3 2002, 4:14 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,444
Try purchasing a Colibri lighter. Most of them come with a free coupon for a can of refill butane. I own 2 of their lighters and won't be using anything but them for the rest of my life. The 1st one is over 10 years old going strong, and the 2nd is the ATL Golf lighter I purchased here for a song. They're $80+ at my local shops. If you get one you'll never use anything but Colibri again. Hey, I should get something for that commercial!
goldengoose7 Offline
#5 Posted: Sat, Aug 3 2002, 7:55 AM EST
Joined: 06-28-2002
Posts: 310
Thanks for the tips on the Bowmans guys! Sounds like a bit of a hassle but I hate throwing a potentially decent knock around lighter away for nothing!

Hey Doc! I just won a Colibri Quantum Jet a few days ago on the site, so I will soon be the owner of a Colibri as well. :o) I bought the Colibri after not being able to get two of these Bowmans to work after they lost their initial charge. Seems like a design flaw to me? So that little screw next to the refill nipple actually does something to the flame height? I turned it on one and nothing happend??? Oh well, I will try the fix you guys suggested. Thanks again!
cwilhelmi Offline
#6 Posted: Sat, Aug 3 2002, 8:34 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
gg7 - that screw alows you to take the case off! The flame adjustment is around the butane inlet, youu'll need a small flat head screw driver to turn it.



Also I would not recommend Colibri butane, it's only double refined. I use LAVA butane because it's quintuple refined, it gives you a clean flame so you not only keep your lighter clean and flowing, but it imparts much less flavor onto your cigars. Chris
goldengoose7 Offline
#7 Posted: Sat, Aug 3 2002, 8:52 AM EST
Joined: 06-28-2002
Posts: 310
Thanks for the clarification Chris! The butane refill can I have is Colibri. I got it from CBID. I will open up one of these and have a look for the flame adjustment screw.
cwilhelmi Offline
#8 Posted: Sat, Aug 3 2002, 8:58 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
actually you don't have to open the case, the adjustment knob is right around the butane refill port. If you use a flat head screw driver to touch the butane port you can then adjust the flow. It's a hollow circular ring with two indentions in it for a screw driver. Good luck...
goldengoose7 Offline
#9 Posted: Sat, Aug 3 2002, 9:20 AM EST
Joined: 06-28-2002
Posts: 310
I see what you mean that the adjuster is part of the refill nipple itself. O.K. I got this one to work now! Thanks again guys!
GetYourOwn Offline
#10 Posted: Sat, Aug 3 2002, 10:17 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
GG7, Once you remove the factory pressure you shouldn't have to do that again. So it is a one time hassle. But, those torch lighters will clog over time no matter which butane you use. I have a promethius lighter that needs blown out a couple of times a year. I take mine to the local Cigar Shop and they clean it for free. I buy a cigar while I am waiting.
Zippo works great. I can't taste whether a cigar is lit by match, zippo, gas or flaming hands. So, if you can't taste the difference, go zippo!
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