CAUTION: THIS PROJECT INVOLVES THE USE OF ELECTRICITY AND DANGEROUS MATERIALS. FLORESCENT LIGHTBULBS CONTAIN MERCURY WHICH IS TOXIC IF INGESTED. PROCEED CAREFULLY. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT PARENTAL SUPERVISION.

When your phone starts to die you instantly yell " Get to da charga!", but when your lightbulb starts to die you just sit idly by and buy a new one which is a waste of money. This device allows you to yell " Get to da charga!" the same way you would for a phone. Plus it's eco friendly. Even though florescent lightbulbs are considered eco friendly throwing them away and buying a new one is harmful to the environment and harmful to your wallet. With this device you can save money, save energy, and save the environment. Plus it's a fun DIY project. This is a lightbulb recharger. It is simple to make and can save a large amount of money as well as clean up the environment. Since florescent lightbulbs are better for the environment than hallogen or incandescent it is already good. But the fact that you can recharge a dead lightbulb makes it even better. You don't have to throw away your lightbulbs and add to the trash and garbage in the world. All you need now is a lightbulb recharger so you can fix the lightbulbs and save some money while protecting the environment.

This project will use certain parts of Geometry.
You will need to calculate the volume of the lightbulb do determine how long you need to charge it.

This is a project by John Chidiac, Antonio Alioto, and Rob Camaj

Step 1: Step 1: Foraging for Supplies

Purchase the materials.
You will need:
1 Battery holder for 2 AA batteries (Only needed for AA battery users)
2 mini jumper cables
1 Dead florescent lightbulb
1 Roll of electrical tape
2 AA Batteries
or
1 9V battery
1 Wire Stripper (optional but recommended)
1 Ruler
1 Calculator
and
A basic understanding of 3-Dimensional Geometry (Cylinders and Circles)

Step 2: Step 2: Building

In this step you will begin to put together the device.

1. Insert the 2 AA batteries into the holder. If you don't have a holder then just attach your wires to the ends of the 9V battery.
2. Then put the little jumper cables on the respective positive and negative ends of the holder. Not needed for 9V.
3. After this, tape the cables to the holder so they don't fall off. Or for the 9V tape the cables onto the battery so they don't fall off.

Step 3: STEP 3!!!!! GEOMETRY!!!!!

This is when the mathematics come in. Measure the base of your lightbulb with your ruler. Divide that by 2 (no calculator needed for that). That number will be represented by r. Next you will need to measure the height of the bulb with your ruler. This number will be represented by h. We will need to use Pi as in all calculations for circles. Pi can be substituted for 3.14 if you have a less advanced calculator.
The Formula For Volume:
Pi x r² x h
Substitute the numbers in their respective locations and calculate on your calculator.
note: If you have a lightbulb with multiple tubes then just multiply the volume by however many tubes their are.

In my case it was: (note: it may be easier to calculate if you measure in Centimeters)
r= .5 inches or 2.5 cm
h= 17.45 in or 43.5 cm

V= 3.14 x 6.25 x 43.5
V= 19.625 x 43.5
V= 853.6875 cm³

The table for charging times is above.

Step 4: STEP 4!!!! LIGHT IT UP!!!!

Now that you've recharged the bulb it's time to put it back in the socket. Now you get to LIGHT THAT BABY UP!!!! Don't actually light it on fire, just turn it on.

Since these lightbulbs contain Mercury they can be harmful to the environment. For every 100 average sized bulbs saved you are saving around 2 whole trash bags. And trash bags cost money as well. With this you save the environment, decrease landfills, and save money. Go Green And Save Some Green!!!!