Hi Jim,
I just read your novel "Patriots" and
studied the Rawles
Gets You Ready" preparedness course,
and both are excellent. [In them,] you talk about chem lights (otherwise known
as glow sticks) for in your car for changing tires, handy around campsites,
and
what
not. The shelf life on these, as you mentioned, is very short
(couple of months in a car [in a hot climate]) and they are not cheap (or maybe
just I am cheap). I
found this video on making an LED version of them that is reusable.
Seems to me like a good idea for recycling the older ones that are now dead.
You can buy LED glow sticks as well which may be cheaper and easier from
places
like this.
I have no affiliation with them and have never bought from them, but just wanted
to show an example.
Thanks, - Rutger (Temporarily in Costa Rica)
JWR Replies: Perhaps the easiest method for creating a glowing wand was suggested by The Gun Plumber over at The FALFiles: "After the light stick is expended, cut the end off, dump the liquid and glass ampoule [and discard safely], then tape the plastic tube to your Mini MagLite flashlight to make an IR wand--the plastic tube is the IR filter! As previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog, there are some huge tactical advantages to using infrared light sticks if you own any Starlight-type (light amplification) night vision gear.
