I have a windmill also. Mmmm never had any trouble with mine but never been above 20000 feet either. I would agree on the zippo but cut a piece of inner tube and place it around the lighter when not in use. It will prevent the fluid from escaping.
I have trouble with piezo ignition around 8000 ft too...auto ignitors on backpacking stoves. Neither of my Snow Peak stoves work and my old GAZ stove only worked sporadically.I've thought of getting another refillable butane lighter with a spark wheel. I used to have a little Colibri pipe lighter shaped like a pen that worked really well for outdoor purposes. The flame was adjustable and angled...making it easy to light stoves and lanterns.I'm considering the Zippo Blu, but haven't gotten around to picking one up yet.
Heinz, I also have a Windmill, the type that have a plastic cover similar than a Zippo, but much bigger and thicker and with a window in the sides to see the gas level.Mine is working well. I have tested it even on Table Mountain (about 4500 feet) and it worked. The higher you get the lowe you must set the flow to compensate for the lower oxygen.I just press the button a little before I press it deeper to ignite and Bob's your uncle.I have not tested it on higher altitudes. There are no such places around except when you climb high mountains. I don't know the altitudes on the Drakensberg but I don't think they exist here.I have heard about a Bronson lighter that has a very good reputstion, but I have only seen it on youtube.I am currently very sceptical about butane lighters as I have seen several Dunhill lighters in second hand shop and none of them works. All are leaking. It appears the seals perrish after some years. Mechanically the lighters are still in a very good condition.This made me think twice about butane lighters. On the short term they are the best, but I will rather turn and mill my own.I think of turning one like the peanut lighter, but bigger so that I can add a wind screen like a Zippo and so that I can add more fuel. Here I think of making a double cavity so that the one contain clean fuel wich will seeps to the cotton filled part or one that will release fluid to the cotton by pressing a button. The cap will also seal airtight to elliminate evaporation of fuel.With this design I think about a cover similar than the Windmill / Zippo in shape.I may be ambitious in thinking but I have the equipment to turn / mill it.
Thanks for the additional info guys. I'll look into some of your suggestions. I was wondering if anyone still makes those old WW-I style 'trench' lighters anymore. From what I've read about them, they're supposed to be both durable and reliable.
Quote from: Heinz Doofenshmirtz on September 04, 2011, 12:15:10 AMThanks for the additional info guys. I'll look into some of your suggestions. I was wondering if anyone still makes those old WW-I style 'trench' lighters anymore. From what I've read about them, they're supposed to be both durable and reliable.There's a few up on eBay right now.
Heinz, I am currently in hospital after an operation this morning. When at home tomorrow, I will send you a link where you can buy them new +replica).