Refilling ThermaCell Butane

U

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***DISCLAIMER--Attempt at your own risk***

First the problem. Tons of pads left and out of butane cartridges. Also 2 pack of butane cartridges $7.99 at Gander Mountain!
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Items needed to remedy the problem. Empty cartridges, pliers, drill with small bit 1/8" or so, one premium can of butane from a cigar shop that has different tips with it. Cheap cans of butane will work after you get the tip needed.
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First you use the pliers to pull out the brass valve, its a bit tight but not too bad. Twisting while you pull helps. Try not to scratch the brass or damage the oring. I thought of putting tape on the pliers but it turned out it wasn't needed.
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Now we get to the heart of the matter. The check valve meant to prevent refilling is accessible. Can't see it real good in the pic but good enough. You can also see the slight barbs on the brass valve that will be going back in.
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Now to uncheck the check valve. There is plastic and a bit of soft metal. It drills out very easily but you have to go deeper than you'd think, maybe 3/4".
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PART 2 in next post.

peace.
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OK, once you get through the check valve its time to blow out the shavings and reinstall the brass valve.
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Here's a blurry pic of the hole we made, you want it small enough so it won't touch the sides that hold the brass valve in.
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To get the brass valve back in I start it with the pliers and then turn it upside down and press it against the floor. Made sure you get it seated all the way.
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Now it's time to refill. Here is the tip that came with the Cigar Store butane. You fill with the butane tip pointed down so it fills with liquid butane rather than gas. If the can is warmer than the cartridge it will work better. The refill isn't instant, maybe 30-40 seconds to get it done.
I didn't have enough hands to take pics of actually filling it.
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Here we are at about half full.
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Here is the level I filled it to.
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I didn't fill it completely full, want to do a bit a safety testing. Right now I've got one in a lamp style repellent burning on the front porch. It's been going for a few hours now with no problems. I'm wondering about adding some loctite or superglue to the brass valve before reinstalling but so far it doesn't seem needed. I'll probably do it as a precaution before I use these in the hunting style ones that are hanging from the belt. Hope this helps some of you having the same problems I am.

I guess I need to state that there is potential for danger if the valve were to leak or come out releasing all the butane at once so use at your own risk. Try a few and set them up in a safe area to test and see if you are comfortable with the results.

peace.
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edited for typos
 
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The oil companies will be contacting you and offering large amounts of cash to buy the rights and lock them in a safe. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
What I heard..or read somewhere. Disclaimer first..never had a ThermaCell but did find a new one someone had lost while duck hunting..gave it to friend who likes such gimmicks.

Anyhow supposedly there are inexpensive butane replacement refills available at large beauty supply shops..used for powering some kind of related appliance..maybe a curling or straightening iron, FYI routine.

By the way I think your fix is great..thanks for sharing.

Mosquitos in our area carry away small children and yappy little dogs some times of the year,LOL.
 
I haven't been able to source the cheap cartridges that people mention. I've found some Conair ones for curling irons but they are same price now. I think they used to be cheaper thugh.

peace.
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I got some Conair refills and an adapter on Ebay. After using part of one, and sitting in a humid climate for 5 months, my Thermacell quit igniting. Thermacell sent it back saying not to use the Conairs because it plugs up the filter. It still took 15 minutes to get it to ignite anyhow.

Has anyone had this problem using off brand fuel cartridges?

Anyone know how to clean the filter?

Thermacell replaced it with a new unit by the way. Thank you very much.
 
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I don't know what they were telling you they are both made by the same factory. They are just labeled Conair or Thermacell. Same unit. How ever the ebay units may be refilled units, not sure about that.
 
Tell me what I'm missing here?? In the amount of time I've used mine, the rate of burn of the butane cartridges was basically equal to the repellent pads (3 pads per cartridge). So even if you're refilling the cartridges, what are you using for the repellent pads?
Thanks, Scott
 
Well, we use a lantern style one on the front orch in the evenings. The wife goes out there to smoke. Seems she doesn't remember to turn it off before going to bed. So it usually ends up being one cartridge to pad. Always end u with a bunch of extra pads.

peace.
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Thanks for answering. I wasn't sure if I was missing something, or if mine was kind of the exception. I was at a WalMart the other day that had like maybe 20 "2 packs" of the ones for curling irons on clearance for $1.50 each. I thought about buying them because I've heard of this topic before, but I've never had the need for em before, or seen where you could buy just the pads.
I'd hook ya up with these if there still there, but I imagine shipping would be a pain, if even possible??
 
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Thank you for your article on refilling the Thermocell Butane cartridges.
I did everything you recommended, drilled out the one way valve and replaced the brass stem. I held the Butane in an inverted position (pressing down) and none of the Butane would enter the plastic tank. All of the Butane just spilled out into the environment. What am I doing wrong. I am unable to get the Butane to enter the plastic tank!

Please help!

Calneva
 
Originally Posted By: CalNeva Unloaded:
Thank you for your article on refilling the Thermocell Butane cartridges.
I did everything you recommended, drilled out the one way valve and replaced the brass stem. I held the Butane in an inverted position (pressing down) and none of the Butane would enter the plastic tank. All of the Butane just spilled out into the environment. What am I doing wrong. I am unable to get the Butane to enter the plastic tank!

Please help!

Calneva

Sorry, didn't see this sooner. If you notice in second to last pic, there is a blue adaptor tip on the butane can. Without it I got the same thing you are getting. I had to get that butane, with tips, at a Cigar store. Just save the tip that fits and it works on Walmart/drugstore cans.

peace.
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Thank you for your response. After trying several tips I was successful in refilling by empty containers. Thank you for the suggestions regarding using different tips.

Now, where can I get the chemical for the pads? If I could get the chemical and soak my own pads for reuse it would be wonderful! Any of my opened pads that are still good are placed in a small zip lock bag (stop evaporation)and kept for future use.

Thanks again,

Calneva
 
I've been seeing a lot of deer hunters using these to disperse scents in cold wether. They are making their own pads out of blotting paper I think. Putting doe urine or other scents on it saying the heat gets lot more molecules in the air than the normal wicks, in cold weather. Haven't tried this yet but might. Gonna do some more reading on it.

peace.
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