The scoop on the lume please...

[copperjohn]

I charge my OM before going to bed, so even when I wake up in the morn if the sun is still down I can see the hands.

But several other watches with lume don't often get charged up. So my question is, what are the "rules" on making the lume last the longest?

Charged as often as possible? Left in the dark when not in use?

Also, I have a watch with tritium markers. Should that be in the dark or light when not in use, or does it really matter. I ask on this because depending on what you read, they will last 12 to 25 years. I just want to make it last as long as possible.

thanks for the input.

[atomic]

Storing in light or dark makes no difference whether it's luminova, super luminova, luxillium or tritium. The first three shouldn't 'wear' out, so there's no issue there. Tritium glows 24-7 and because of its chemical make up (radioactive, btw) it doesn't need charging, but has a half life of 12 years. So after that time has elapsed, the tritium will 'die' and not glow and in fact take on a yellowish hue often referred to as patina.

If I want to ensure a decent 'charge' all night on my luminova-based watches, I hold it under a halogen lamp for a minute or so, and they burn like torches all night long.