Light sticks

[Huorn]

Okay, this me sounds like a daft question to many of you, but what's with light sticks? What advantage do they have over a torch/lantern? I can see they are simple to use, but they're one shot only and fairly bulky when you have a bunch of them.

Sure, the kids like the fairy grotto effect when camping and I've seen them attached to kids when at festivals, but they do seem to have a lot of users on this and LSG. Please enlighten me!

H

[the-gnole]

Hmmm, How many intrinsically safe torches do you own is another question I ask.

Any torch other than intrinsically safe ones can cause an explosion in a fuel leakage situation, LPG, Natural, Petrol are three examples of when a light stick is better than a torch or mains power.

Also leaving a trail of torches to show a safe path when out can be a bit expensive, or for marking obstacles such as tent pegs and guylines.

I have a few 30 minute ones and a few dozen general use ones, the bracelet ones are good for guy lines, over hanging branches etc.

[Huorn]

Hmmm, How many intrinsically safe torches do you own is another question I ask.

Any torch other than intrinsically safe ones can cause an explosion in a fuel leakage situation, LPG, Natural, Petrol are three examples of when a light stick is better than a torch or mains power.

Hmm, never been asked that before.

I suppose that we don't have any gas in the house and we drive diesel vehicles removes some of those concerns. I should maybe stash some in the car in case we come across and an accident involving a petrol vehicle, but I don't ever recall seeing police illuminating an accident with light sticks before. I do see your point though and can see why they are so popular.

Also leaving a trail of torches to show a safe path when out can be a bit expensive, or for marking obstacles such as tent pegs and guylines.

I have a few 30 minute ones and a few dozen general use ones, the bracelet ones are good for guy lines, over hanging branches etc.

I have to say that the recent trend of marking your tent/tarp/bivvy with lights has puzzled me. I like to be unobtrusive and blend with the environment when out in the sticks.

Thanks for the reply.

H

[the-gnole]

I have tripped over others lines before now when on bigger sites and people who don't use short guys, and a tent peg can be quite a nasty implement When going wild I don't use them either, I also use bungees which stretch when hit rather better than nylon cordage

Police tend to have intrinsically safe torches, the same as the fire brigade use. usually the first thing that Fire fighters do at an RTC is disconnect the earth strap from the battery, then the positive lead if they have to, this prevents any chance of sparking.

I have a friend who was on a night ferry when the lights went out, in her handbag half a dozen light sticks, much easier to use and give away than half a dozen torches.

Also fun to mark people with to make them stand out in a crowd, snap, shake, cut and splash

[southernPrepper]

If you are in an environment where an intrinsically safe torch is necessary you will also have to worry about static sparks from your clothing, mobile phone, wrist watch & hair.
You'll also be breathing whatever gas/fumes are there.

Most LED torches, operating as they do at somewhere between 1.5V - 6V never spark anyway but if you are going to send personnel into a known dangerous environment then you have to make very sure that they are equipped with intrinsically safe kit, not just torches.

Far more dangerous is turning on or off anything mains powered like the lights.

There are 2 reasons why you might disconnect the battery after an accident. Firstly there is no fuse on the main +ve cables from battery to starter motor or alternator to starter. Although safe in use after an accident all sorts of twisted metal can fray the insulation and short it to earth potentially causing a fire.
Secondly is to check the battery to see if that particular box of acid is leaking and needs containing.

In short, I wouldn't bother with intrinsically safe torches.

[axelt123]

never thought nabout that
also i tend to use miniglow sticks for gidlinds as there only a pound for 2

[the-gnole]

never thought nabout that
also i tend to use miniglow sticks for gidlinds as there only a pound for 2

Keep looking in places like Aldi and Lidl, they do boxes of the small ones 50 for £2.99.

[Carrot Cruncher]

Here's a list of 101 uses for a lightstick....although I think they were struggling to get to 20 let alone 101 but it does include most of the reasons I want/have some like marking stairs and exits in a power cut, giving a low light for a bathroom in a powercut, in a tent etc, dont require batteries or fuel....and are relatively cheap so you can leave one as a marker/signal and not worry about it

There is a bit of info about some of the various types at the end of the list

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2744778

[Huorn]

Cheers for answering folks!

I'm thinking that the rural environment in which I live rules out a lot of things that others here will find an essential use for light/glow sticks.

Could someone answer me one more question though please? Given the nature of the stick - they operate by breaking an internal vial to mix two chemicals to create the light. Do you store them in a rigid container to prevent them breaking prematurely?

Thanks,

H

[the-gnole]

Never had a problem with them breaking accidently so have them in a pocket in the back pack (if you put three or four together they would be even less likely to break) or in the glove box when out and about, at home they are on a few shelves around the house.

Best to always keep them in the original packaging as well as it is nitrogen filled mylar, once out of the packet they start to absorb air through the plastic.