FAQ’s
Try bleed and refill procedure as noted above. Make sure the lighter is at room temperature when you are doing the adjustments. If at maximum setting your Turboflame does not produce a forceful enough flame (or in cooler temperatures no flame), then try one last thing: WARNING: Make sure the flame shuts down under 2 seconds at the maximum setting. If you have a model with a flame adjustment screw at the bottom, using a 4mm tip flat head screw driver, turn the adjustment screw 1/8 turn at a time Counter Clock Wise BEYOND the first resistance (maximum) setting. Just apply a gentle force while turning the screw, you can go as far as 1/4 to even 1/2 turn beyond what some people may think is the maximum setting (that is just a safety net set up for summer heat when gas pressure is much higher than the cooler days we normally have in the UK). After each 1/8 turn, try ignition and check flame height until desired setting is reached.
KEEP LIGHTERS AWAY FROM CHILDREN Ignite lighter away from face, clothing and others. Beware of flame, which my be invisible in bright light. Actual heat length is longer than visible flame. Be sure flame is fully extinguished after use. Turboflame ® is ideal for a wide range of ignition purposes (BBQ, candles, pilot lights, cooking stoves, camp fires, Hexi blocks, solder metals, softens clear P-Tex, etc.) and short-duration application of high intensity heat (up to 1300ºC). If used for longer than 15 seconds continuously, the tip may become hot and due care should be taken before storage. Never expose a lighter to heat above 50ºC (120ºF) or to prolonged sunlight (eg. car dashboard). Contains flammable gas under pressure. Never puncture or put in fire.
There are two issues involved here. Firstly, due to airline security measures, please check with the airline company if lighters are permitted on board. Some companies may allow lighters to be placed inside check in luggage but not carried on as hand luggage. In this instance, bleed all butane gas before storage. Secondly, once you have arrived at your destination, bleed any trapped air before refill, as altitude changes may cause air lock.
If the lighter fails to ignite after completing all the usual checks and it is certain that there is an ignition spark and that the lighter seems to contain sufficient fuel, it may require bleeding to remove trapped air from the fuel tank. To bleed the lighter, turn the flame adjustment screw to minimum (turn clock wise); hold the lighter such that the refill valve faces downwards. Then press the refill valve using a pen knife or small screwdriver to discharge the air/gas mixture (e.g., similar to taking out air from a car or bicycle Tyre). Continue pressing until hissing stops. Press again several times until hissing stops completely. WARNING: Be careful of back spray to your face or skin since butane comes out very cold and could give you frost bite besides being extremely flammable (see warnings noted in instructions). Then refill the lighter with recommended gas (e.g., Colibri or Newport). Use at least two five second bursts and use the basic nozzle on the canister. Escaping gas indicates that the lighter is full.
For details see instructions: http://www.turboflame.co.uk/maintenance.php Basically 3 steps should be taken: 1) Bleed existing gas/air mixture (depress the intake valve similar to taking out air from car or bicycle tires) 2) Fill with recommended butane gas (brands such as Colibri and Newport) 3) Wait a few minutes and adjust flame height in=f necessary. Also a good web site showing butane lighter refills: how to refill your lighter
It is very important to keep the burner hole (where the flame comes out) clean if you want your Turboflame to last a long time. 1. Always keep the cap on (if the model has one) and try not to put it in dirty pockets. We suggest keeping your turboflame in a protective case. 2. Objects should be lit at least one inch away from burner hole – using the heat of the flame and not the flame itself. Make sure ash / debris and smoke do not get into the burner hole as this will clog it. For example when lighting a BBQ or campfire, make sure the wind is either behind or across your Turboflame, this way the smoke that eventually may cause carbon build up will be kept away from your lighter’s tip. 3. Periodically clean the burner hole using short bursts from a compressed air aerosol to remove debris or carbon deposits (keep compressed air canister at least one inch away from burner hole). If carbon deposits are seen, it is possible that inferior butane gas has been used. Substituting with a leading brand premium butane gas is recommended.
After purchase bleed and refill to make sure your lighter is full to start with. If you use your lighter daily, then refill once a week. It should last about 750 ignitions in the GX7 models, but it depends how long you keep the flame on each time. If your Turboflame model has a gas viewing window then check the gas level. Otherwise, a low flame usually means it is time to refill. DO NOT increase the flame height adjuster to get more life out of one gas tank. You will eventually cause your lighter to malfunction. Simply bleed and refill. Depending on frequency of use, some people fill theirs up daily, weekly or monthly. For long term storage it is best to fill up your lighter.
It seems there is trapped air in the gas tank. Turboflame lighters run off butane gas. For butane to be propelled it needs to be mixed with air in a premium ratio. As the butane is used up, it is replaced with air which after a while means the butane/air ratio is no longer ideal for ignition. This is why you may see gas in the tank but have no ignition. BLEED the air by pushing the intake valve at the base of the lighter with a ball point pen or small screwdriver. Press untill all hissing stops. It is easier to bleed the whole tank empty from all butane/air mixture before refilling. As noted before, always use the recommended gas brands such as New Port or Colibri.
In warmer temperatures, the butane gas pressure increases which may increase the flame height and/or cause missed ignition.Simply decrease the flame height a fraction. Warning: Never expose a lighter to heat above 50ºC (120ºF) or to prolonged sunlight (eg. car dashboard).
Lighters are sold either empty or with only small quantity of gas for testing purposes only. It is recommended to *bleed/refill with recommended gas and then adjust flame height after purchase and each time the lighrter gets low on fuel (see refill instructions). Note that we usually dispatch the lighters on a low flame setting, therefore increasing the flame adjustment screw (use a 4mm tip flathead screw driver and turn counter clock wise to increase the blue flame** to “working flame height” as follows: For models Ranger Twin Flame & Military mini blow torch, set flame height to around 1.5 to 2 cm, Vflame with 3.5 to 4 cm and Phoenix with 1 cm. These working flame heights can result in a better wind resistant / outdoor flame. After the first flame adjustment, you only need to bleed/refill when gas level becomes low (the flame flickers or becomes intermittent. This may also indicate trapped air in gas reservoir and that’s why bleeding the gas/air mixture is recommended prior to any refill. Further flame adjustments are not recommended unless you travel to a new destination (e.g., air travel or change of elevation in excess of 2,000 ft.) which may require bleed/refill/adjust flame height to adapt to the new environment.
All Turbo flame lighters use ‘Clean Flame’ technology which means that the flame does not depos. All Turbo flame lighters use ‘Clean Flame’ technology which means that the flame does not deposit carbon residue on the item being lit. Unlike most lighters, Turboflame ® will not leave unsightly black marks on candles or discolour wax and fibreglass when repairing skiis and other outdoor equipment.It carbon residue on the item being lit. Unlike most lighters, Turboflame ® will not leave unsightly black marks on candles or discolour wax and fibreglass when repairing skiis and other outdoor equipment.
Turboflame lighters require Butane gas marked as: ‘Near Zero Impurity’ or at least ‘Triple Refined’ which means they have a lower oil content and will not clog the burner (Newport, Colibri, London Gas & Purofine are recommended for use with Turboflame ®).
Different butane gas refills may have insufficient pressure and higher impurity content (oils), hence causing carbon deposit and failure of the lighter in the long run. We DO NOT Recommend use of common supermarket gas or brands such as Swan or Ronson for use with Turboflame ®.
The jet flame (on the Phoenix model) is a wide cone shaped flame. It is a more windproof lighter than the laser jet models, but the jet flame does not have the precision sometimes needed for repairs. The Turbo flame laser jet flame is a thin precision, needle like flame. This flame is the hottest and most powerful – in effect a micro blow torch. It will keep a consistent stream of air propelled fire no matter what angle. For these reasons it is good for pipes/cigars and spot soldering in awkward places.
If your lighter fails to ignite (follow instructions https://www.turboflame.co.uk/instructions/): Check to see if there is a spark when the lighter mechanism is operated. Make sure that the lighter contains proper level of recommended butane gas (e.g., Newport, Colibri or other Ultra Refined butane brands). Do NOT use brands such as Swan, Ronson or ordinary supermarket butane gas since they may contain higher impurities or different required pressure – long term use will result in clogging up the burner hole or may cause misfire. (see section with more information regarding types of butane gas). In the short term, use of ordinary butane gas which has lower pressures than what is required will cause mis-fires or no igniton at all. Make sure all trapped air is released by BLEEDING (see below). If you fail to get ignition given there is a spark and the gas tank is already emptied, refilled with the correct brand of gas and warmed to room temperature, try the following steps: Adjust the flame setting. Depending on the lighter model, this is either done by hand, using the wheel control at the base of the lighter, or using a small screwdriver (4mm tip flathead) to turn the setting control at the base – i.e., CCW (Counter Clock Wise) to increase the flame height. If you have no flame or a very low flame at room temperature, begin by turning the flame setting screw up a little at a time (1/8 of a turn at a time to a limit of 1/2 turn beyond the initial set maximum level), until the lighter ignites every time at your desired flame height. Note that ignition failure can be caused by flame settings that are too high as well as too low. To recap: BLEED, REFILL WITH HIGH QUALITY BUTANE, WAIT UNTIL REACHING ROOM TEMPERATURE, ADJUST FLAME HEIGHT, IGNITE!
When lighting a BBQ, campfire, Fire Starters (solid fuels), Hexi blocks etc., make sure there are no smoke blow backs into your lighter tip. The smoke will cause carbon build up and eventually block the tiny gas discharge holes and causing malfunctions. For instance, when outside make sure the wind is either behind or across your Turboflame, this way the smoke will be kept away from your lighter’s tip. And of course keep the flame away at least an inch from what you are lighting (burn in the heat of the flame tip not within the flame itself).
We recommend trying specialist tobacconists or cookware shops, or try ebay/amazon search for Newport or Colibri butane gas refills. London Gas is also a recommended brand.
Turboflame lighters are sold by all good outdoor supply retailers including us – camping, ski and board shops and caravan, marine supply and angling stores – across the UK. Select items are also available in cookware and houseware stores, model and electronics shops and at many tobacconists and premium cigar establishments. You can find your nearest outlet by going to the Stockist page of our Web site, or by e-mailing us. For online stockists see the separate FAQ. Turboflame Ltd. does not accept responsiblity for terms of trade offered by individual resellers.
It depends on the brand you are using, but the brand we supply to our stockists, Newport, comes with a standard (red) nozzle that fits all our Turboflame ® models.
In colder climates, the gas pressure decreases. Butane is a liquid at cold temperatures and needs to be warmed up to become a gas. Allow the lighter to rest at domestic room temperature for 10 minutes (ideally reaching temperature of 72F or 20C). If outdoors, warm the lighter for 15-20 seconds by holding it in palm of your hand or simply keep the lighter in the inside pocket of your coat! You can also increase the flame height a fraction – say 1/4 turn until desired flame height is reached. Note that we even have had customers using Turboflame in North Pole expeditions! (but this particular gentleman ran a sting through the lanyard hole and hung it around his neck!). We even have heard of skiers keeping them in their glove to keep warm – for an instant flame when they reach the bottom of the slope.