how to recharge a glow-stick

  This method of charging a glow-stick actually works, but each time you recharge it the glow gets a little fainter. It can still be used for pretty long though. Also this is an entry in the flash light speed contest so if you liked it please vote for me.

Step 1 Stick it in the freezer

  This is basically the only real step here and all you have to do is put one of your used glow-sticks in the freezer over night.

Comments

[ssingh46]

just put it in the microwave for 30 seconds and done

[Wally_Z]

When I did it, they didn't freeze to the point that they had to be broken again, I just had to hold them in my hand. They kind of worked after warming them in my hand again after them being dead for a week. I will try DEEP freezing them so they can be re-broken. I will also try putting them in hot water which will probably look really cool.

Also, look up glowstick spinning/raving. It looks amazing. I have a video of it on my Youtube channel if anyone wants to check it out. http://www.youtube.com/user/wjz10595.

[AnOverdoseofZac]

I've been doing this for many years and my only sugestion is to not put it in the ice chest. I did once and the blade that dispenses the ice broke the stick open. It was funny because my mom had a party that night and no one could figure out why the ice was glowing

[rthrockmorton]

no mom...the ice cubes have always glowed in the dark!

[swinfos]

lol

[sueman2]

For thoose who wish to know more:

glowsticks work on chemical reactions, a reaction can speed up when their is movement, heat, etc. So cooling and keeping the stick still makes the reaction slow down. then by moving it around and heating it up, the reaction speeds up and light back up.

The best thing to do to get them back to normal is to microwave them for 5 seconds. and i mean seconds. 15 seconds would make any glow-stick spray everywhere. so 5 seconds is a safe level.

[atombomb1945]

I have been able to get this to work before, but the real trick is to get it into the frezer while it is still glowing. If it has gone dim to the point it cannot be seen at all, then it has lost the chemical reaction completely. Of course you could always just replace the batteries. The batteries are normally on the shelf with the buckets for the prop wash and the keys to the flight line.

[Squee]

I've heard that's also where they keep the headlight and blinker fluids too!

[Speedmite]

It only pauses the chemical reaction by slowing it down in a cold enviroment. You are only delaying the glow. But if you want to keep a broke glowstick, this is a good way.

To make it glow brighter, heat it up. Dont bust it though or pt it in the microwave. Poisonous gases when burnt.

[tobyscool]

Does recharge means already cracked cuz in
step two says:
Take your glow-stick out of the freezer,crack it,shake, and like magic it glows!

[cdousley]

ive heard of this method but i can never get it to work ): maybe just becase my glow sticks were to old

[Awesome-aniac]

I second that, it only slows down reaction time. You can't re-crack it.

[cdousley]

yep the cracking is the sound of glass breaking that mixes the chemicals and starts a reaction

[HeyJD]

I wouldn't say it's glass breaking... But yeah it's something breaking inside...

[red scourge]

Actually, when you bend the glow stick, you're breaking a glass vial that hold the other chemical for the reaction.

[cdousley]

yep thats what this guy says http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Glow-Sticks-The-Science/

[HeyJD]

Yeah I know what happens. It's just that I was told in a book it was a tube of breakable plastic inside, not glass.

[jgfish]

Last time I cracked one open it was glass

[cdousley]

hmm. idk much about those all i ever seen was the video but it doesn't sound much like glass to me.

[13vamper37]

it actually is glass. i've cut many of these open for various reasons lol

[swinfos]

Yeah these one have glass in them ( I also find intrest in cutting glowsticks.)

[crazy-builder]

yeah it is glass cos I've cracked them before (by accident) :) oh and by the way the liquid stains!! C.B. :D

[Terivia]

defiantly glass, or really sharp plastic.

[HeyJD]

Hmm.... And what reason would that be?

[cdousley]

lol!

[Daddio_UK]

Putting them in the freezer just stops them, and in hot water makes them light up more, they don't re-charge.

[Max086]

Cool beanz now I can keep these things longer, KUDOS my man!!

[cambodiajack]

Cool. You can also keep a glow stick glowing for a long time by putting it in the freezer

[thebeardedoneUK]

Nice little trick but it has never been successful for me :( Nice 'ible though :)

[swinfos]

Thanks

[didgitalpunk]

nice instructables! although i recomend puting your glowstick in the freezer in the morning so that you can use it at night. : )

[swinfos]

Thanks!

[didgitalpunk]

your welcom