I gave up 2 multi packs total of 8 butane and 24 pads...will save the butane bottles and will trade them for 6 set up as refill bottles.
What are the pads made of? with that you can use their solution for soaking them or deet or the other stuff that replaces deet.
Frankwt:
The insect repellant on the Thermacell pads is allethin. The allethrins are a pair of related synthetic compounds used in insecticides. They are synthetic pyrethroids, a synthetic form of a chemical found naturally in the chrysanthemum flower. They were first synthesized in the United States by Milton S. Schechter in 1949. Allethrin was the first pyrethroid. The compounds have low toxicity for humans and birds, and are used in many household insecticides such as RAID as well as mosquito coils. Insects subject to its exposure become paralyzed (nervous system effect) before dying. They are also used as an ultra-low volume spray for outdoor mosquito control.
Now, the allethrin content is about 20% on the pad and the rest is “other content” I’m guessing cardboard, colorant, etc. You can buy bulk allethrin from China but is very expensive (over $800.00 pound) and then you need to know how to use it.
Allethrin is also found in some commercial wasp killers, but in concentrations that are about 0.25%. I tried different options to soak the pads, but had no luck. That is when I read in another forum that mosquito coils were an option. The allethrin content of the coils is a little over 1% which so far is the highest content of allethrin I was able to find in a product other than Thermacell or the new Off pads.
Even though I did experiment with some products, I was concern with soaking the pads with products not designed to be heated and used as repellants, mostly with the effects of me inhaling then (other than a “trip”…)
In terms of refilling the butane bottles, the instructions on how to do it are here. Takes no time. Something I found is that you don’t need to puncture the “thing” under the valve to do it. It just speeds up the process, but you can refill them without doing anything to modify the bottles. CROCK1 posted some instructions and you can’t go wrong.
Can anyone tell me where the lead is that Crock gave the instructions for the refill of the butaine ......
Wasn't Crock, was me. Here you go.
1)Take the butane cartridge out of the thermacell.
2) With a pair of pliers, gently rock the metal nipple ( careful not to damage the o-ring on the nipple ) from the cartridge.
3) CAREFULLY use a small wire ( I've used things like a paper clip, small straightened fish hook and wire leader material ) and push it into the mouth of the butane cartridge. There is a very small, white gasket-like membrane you need to pull out. This is the trickiest part of the refill process and you'll screw-up a few times before you get the feel of it.
4) Butane refill cylinder. Buy it any hardware or camping store. Cut the tip at an angle / and turn the Thermacell empty cartridge upside down. Insert the refill cylinder into the cartridge and fill to about 2/3 allowing for expansion.
5) Remove the refill cylinder from the now 2/3 full Thermacell cartridge. Reinsert the metal nipple into the cartridge and tap it back in with a hammer or pop-it with a piece of wood.
As for the pads..... Thermacell uses Allethrin, which is a synthetic copy of Pyrethrin. Pyrethrin is a naturally occuring insecticide made from chrysanthemums. There are many different products that are Pyrethrin based. I've used a fly spray for horses and a non-toxic spray for plants that have pyrethrin in them. My best results have been from spraying the pad with a few squirts, letting dry (crystallizes ) and reapplying one more time. Keep the pads in a ziplock bag and use within the month.
well if you pull the membrane out do you return it or leave it out? after refilling why does the butane not come back out before you get the nipple back in.
Wasn't Crock, was me. Here you go.
4) Butane refill cylinder. Buy it any hardware or camping store. Cut the tip at an angle / and turn the Thermacell empty cartridge upside down. Insert the refill cylinder into the cartridge and fill to about 2/3 allowing for expansion.
5) Remove the refill cylinder from the now 2/3 full Thermacell cartridge. Reinsert the metal nipple into the cartridge and tap it back in with a hammer or pop-it with a piece of wood.
I was refering to Crock1's method here: http://fohaf.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2196
I don't fill the cartridge after I poke the membrane with a thick needle. I just reinset the metal nipple and refill after that. Also, the butane canister I buy comes with 5 attachments and require no cutting. Works as it is.
No matter what method you use you'll get the same results. Works fine.
