The Zippo lighter is a classic. It has some strengths, but as many know, one of it's shortcomings is its tendency to lose lighter fluid over time (as a result of it's unsealed design). Even unused, the typical Zippo, carried in the pocket for a couple/few weeks, will go "dry", and hence no longer light.
I'd read about a way to mitigate this by cutting a Ranger Band from a bicycle tube and using it to improve the lighter's ability to retain fluid (i.e. slow the rate of evaporation). Some say it works. Others say it doesn't. So, I thought I'd try it myself!
Just so happens I have a couple of Zippos - an orange one that can easily be found if dropped in the woods, and an engraved brass one from decades ago.
For this experiment, I used a 1" section of new bicycle inner tube. I had no expectations what would happen one way or the other.
The lighters:
(As can be seen above, the band can easily be rolled down to use the lighter and rolled back up when finished.)
The experiment:
1. Both lighters were filled to overflowing with fluid, closed, and kept on the dresser.
2. Each day, each lighter was opened, "flicked," and allowed to burn for 1 second.
3. If the lighter did not light on the first flick (which was almost always), it was flicked a second time.
4. The number of days to when the lighter would NOT light were recorded.
5. The experiment was started on July 17th. The room temp, and thus the temp of the lighters, ran about 78 deg F.
The results:
1. The orange lighter without the Ranger band ran 28 days to empty. This is pretty good actually, and I suspect carrying in a pocket, next to the body, would raise the temp of the lighter and shorten this time even more. (Maybe cut it in half.)
2. The brass lighter WITH the Ranger band ran an incredible 71 days. I say "incredible" because this is far better than I expected.
So, apparently, this hack makes a significant difference. The rubber of the band burns like crazy and can also be an emergency fire starter on its own.
If you carry a Zippo as one of your methods of making fire, try it out. Also suggest carrying the lighter in a bag, or outside pocket (like in a Jacket) away from the body, to minimize fluid evaporation.
When I have a chance, I plan to move the band to the orange lighter and repeat the experiment factor out any difference manufacturing tolerances might make in the "tightness" of the lighters.
'Cheers.
I'd read about a way to mitigate this by cutting a Ranger Band from a bicycle tube and using it to improve the lighter's ability to retain fluid (i.e. slow the rate of evaporation). Some say it works. Others say it doesn't. So, I thought I'd try it myself!
Just so happens I have a couple of Zippos - an orange one that can easily be found if dropped in the woods, and an engraved brass one from decades ago.
For this experiment, I used a 1" section of new bicycle inner tube. I had no expectations what would happen one way or the other.
The lighters:
(As can be seen above, the band can easily be rolled down to use the lighter and rolled back up when finished.)
The experiment:
1. Both lighters were filled to overflowing with fluid, closed, and kept on the dresser.
2. Each day, each lighter was opened, "flicked," and allowed to burn for 1 second.
3. If the lighter did not light on the first flick (which was almost always), it was flicked a second time.
4. The number of days to when the lighter would NOT light were recorded.
5. The experiment was started on July 17th. The room temp, and thus the temp of the lighters, ran about 78 deg F.
The results:
1. The orange lighter without the Ranger band ran 28 days to empty. This is pretty good actually, and I suspect carrying in a pocket, next to the body, would raise the temp of the lighter and shorten this time even more. (Maybe cut it in half.)
2. The brass lighter WITH the Ranger band ran an incredible 71 days. I say "incredible" because this is far better than I expected.
So, apparently, this hack makes a significant difference. The rubber of the band burns like crazy and can also be an emergency fire starter on its own.
If you carry a Zippo as one of your methods of making fire, try it out. Also suggest carrying the lighter in a bag, or outside pocket (like in a Jacket) away from the body, to minimize fluid evaporation.
When I have a chance, I plan to move the band to the orange lighter and repeat the experiment factor out any difference manufacturing tolerances might make in the "tightness" of the lighters.
'Cheers.
