Float Lights Shelf Life?

[bobspoons]

Heres probably the silly question of the day.

I know nothing of the chemical reaction inside the single-use float light inserts... so does anyone know if they have a shelf life before they basically are useless?

Also, do they have to be kept in the foil packets to prolong the shelf life or can they be opened and shoved into a more sensible tackle box organiser (not airtight)

Thanks folks for any answers

Alex ( BobSpoons)

[pingu]

they definately do have a shelf life
personally the greens have a longer life than other colours
the dates usually stamped on the box/packet

dave

[bobspoons]

Thanks Dave good to know.
I cant seem to find a date on the packet and I no longer have the box, damn.

Do you happen to know if the packets help the shelf life at all? They would take up so much less space if put in a plasic clip-lid container without the packets.

I got bought a box of 50 (which is nice) though will not often use them and so will most likely own them for quite some time, hence my queries on shelf life and storage.
Thanks for the reply :)

Anyone have info on the packets (actually I think the are plastic-film maybe, not foil, not sure) or anyone had some unusable due to having them too long?

Cheers
Alex

[scottish_and_mental]

I recently bought 250 green tip lights and they came bagged in 50s without the foil . they are top quality and are really hard to snap - normally the ones that last 1 hour have very little chemical in them !
I also bought a box of 100 last year - foil wrapped in 2s and found that by the time i had got to the last 20 or so i was finding rogue duff ones that wouldn't light up too well ..
I essence i would say , yes to shelf life but don't think the foil makes much odds - its about storing them out of direct sunlight and in a cool place .. buy a good quality one and it will last ..
There is a company in Ayrshire that sells real good ones at a great price if anyone wants the details ( 2 year shelf life quoted )

[barbus maximus]

Why not save some money and buy a tritium isotope indicator?

They cost about £12 a pair when I got mine, and last about 15 years! Now work out how much cyalume chemical indicators cost over the same period.
My watch is Tritium as well, and is great at night.

My own calculations tell me that 20 night trips in a season, at say 50p for the two glow sticks (they never last all night) multiplied by the average 15 years life of tritium =£150!!!!! Its a no brainer.

I have one attached to the tip ring with a tiny drop of araldite (other adhesives are available), and another one recessed slightly into the cork handle, just above where the reel sits so I know where it is in the dark.

They are brighter than the chemical sticks as well, and are available many other colours too.

Just a thought.

John

[BoldBear]

I have two tritium isotope's fitted to each of my bite alarms so that I can place my rod in them in the dark, and one in each of my bite indicator/bobbins and two in my large landingnet spreader block.
They cost a bit more than glow sticks at first but as barbus said its a much better and cheaper option long-term as they glow for over 15 years.

However I use the small disposable glow sticks on my floats at night as I usually lose at least one float at night and it would get a tad expensive otherwise.
(the ones that you have to bend to break the glass inside)

I normally find that the shelf life of the glow sticks (unused) is around 8 or 9 months although I have had the odd one last over a year.

[barbus maximus]

The first time I encountered Tritium as a light source, was on the SUSAT scope of an SA80 assault rifle, as in use by our armed forces.
It is very efficient, and long lasting. It glows because of the radioactive gas (Tritium) that is injected at manufacture, although if they broke, they would be no more radio active than the normal background levels.

I think they are sometimes called Betalites in the fishing world. It is getting quite common as a light source now, like I said, my watch has 15 tiny, tiny tubes on the face and hands, and is a great deal better than the old fashioned glow in the dark hands and faces that need to be charged by sunlight.

By the way, good to see you again BoldBear after my enforced absence from the forum. I can still smell the Dulux.

[geejayy]

i usually buy a box of 50 from lidl's the red & green ones last a whole 12 hour shift, with the green ones sometimes still glowing faintly the following week when i get the rods back out.
blue ones are pants though and only go for 6 hours or so.

one box just about lasts a year + supplies hartley as well,
if i loose one i wouldn't worry but haveing to replace a £15 isotope every 6 months or so would be a bind.

[barbus maximus]

The only time I would loose one, is if I used it as a float light, and as I don't float fish, thats not a problem.
On anything else I use clear araldite to secure, and there is no chance of that budging.
I have also got a couple that come encased in a clear or coloured bullit proof polycarbonate shell, with a split ring attached to fix to landing nets, tackle bits box etc.
They always work out cheaper.

John

[bobspoons]

Thanks for the advice folks.
The ones I have were a gift I dont go night fishing often. I think they are either Aldi or Lidl ones. So far Ive had them about 2 years and just teste done and works perfect.
Maybe considering how long Ive had them best to keep in the packets just in case.
I wonder how the actual chemical reaction works considering they have a shelf life?

Cheers
Alex