You fit an electrode to a freshly overhauled wand, switch on, and get a faint, patchy flicker instead of a lovely even glow. Then, after a minute or so, it brightens up. People often call this "charging" the electrode. Here's what's going on, and how to tell a sleepy electrode from a dead one.

This guide assumes a wand that has already had a proper safety overhaul. If yours hasn't, see Violet Wand Safety first.

What "charging" really means#

An electrode isn't a battery, and it doesn't store charge between uses. "Charging" is just a handy word for what happens when gas in an electrode that hasn't run for a long while starts to conduct steadily again.

When the glass has sat in the dark for years, it can take a little while for the gas inside to start conducting evenly. Some electrodes also have traces of impurities on the inside of the glass that need a short run to settle. Either way, the first few moments can look weak or uneven, and then it settles down.

Waking up a sleepy electrode#

On a wand that's safe to run:

  1. Check the electrode carefully first. No cracks, chips or loose caps.
  2. Fit it snugly (see The Violet Wand Collet).
  3. Start on a low output setting, with the electrode pointing away from everything.
  4. Let it run for a minute or two and watch.
  5. If the glow is evening out, bring the output up gently.
  6. Switch off, let the wand rest, and try again later if needed.

Don't crank the output to maximum to force it. That stresses the wand, heats the electrode's neck, and is more likely to crack old glass than to help.

Normal versus a problem#

Probably fine:

  • slow to start, but brightening and evening out within a minute or two
  • slightly flickery the first time, steadier on the next run
  • glow stronger at higher settings and softer at lower ones

Probably finished:

  • a pale bluish-white, pinkish or milky haze rather than a clear colour
  • glow only at the tip or right by the fitting, never through the whole body
  • no glow at all on a wand that lights other electrodes well
  • glow that gets worse the longer it runs
  • visible discolouration or deposits inside that weren't there before

These usually mean the electrode has lost its vacuum, with air leaking in through a tiny crack or a failed seal. There's no practical home fix for that.

Neon electrodes#

Orange-red neon electrodes can behave a little differently. They often light more readily, but can look a touch uneven at very low settings. That's normal for neon.

Retiring an electrode#

An electrode that won't glow properly is still a part of the set and worth keeping. Store it with the others, label it "doesn't glow, do not use", and record it in your notes. It's still a piece of history, even if it's never going to light again.

Keeping them happy#

Electrodes stored somewhere dry, steady in temperature and well padded keep their seals best. See About Violet Wand Electrodes for storage tips.