What causes the bubbles in those new bubble Christmas lights? I thought it was some special fluid with a low boiling point that gets heated because of the lights but some weren’t bubbling even though the light was on that one. This subject caused a slight disturbance at the bar when we tried to break one open. Any help would be nice to save my friends from future bar property vandalism.
-Morgan
FYI, Christmas bubble lights aren’t new, we had a set when I was a kid in the 60’s. Also, I wouldn’t recommend breaking them open. If I recall correctly, the box (at least the modern ones) says that you should open windows and leave the area if one gets broken.
And…?? What’s the juice?
Methylene chloride.
CelraySoda, I have changed the thread title from Biggest mystery in the universe! to Bubble Christmas lights. In the future, please try to choose more descriptive thread titles.
bibliophage
moderator GQ
Sorry.
Are you sure?
Methylene chloride is painful and irritating if splashed into the eyes or held in contact with the skin. Overexposure to methylene chloride vapor may cause central nervous system depression (anesthesia) and irritation to the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract. These effects become more pronounced as the vapor concentration increases, but generally are not observed below 200 parts per million (ppm). Visible symptoms of anesthesia have been reported in several animal species during exposure to methylene chloride concentrations of approximately 4000 ppm and greater.
Carbon monoxide is an end product of metabolism of methylene chloride. Studies in man have demonstrated that 8hour exposures to concentrations of 100 to 200 ppm of methylene chloride vapor produce carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations of about 3 to 7 percent, approximating those produced by CO at 50 ppm and well below COHb levels generally required to produce symptoms. The metabolic pathway becomes saturated in man at concentrations from 300 to 500 ppm, thus limiting the production of CO in man and preventing excessive buildup of COHb.
Sounds too nasty to decorate the tree with.
Yes.
Check out
http://www.oldchristmaslights.com/1940-1950_page_5.htm
Your right…I’m surpised this stuff is still on the market. It reminds me of the “Happy Fun Ball” from Saturday Night Live.
Too nasty? Stop and think for a moment: how is it so different from other irritants? It’s just paint thinner. The above description basically says this: if you use spray paint in a closed room and then sit around breathing the fumes for hours, you’re asking for trouble, if you use it constantly at work you should wear a mask, and if you get the stuff in your eyes it hurts like hell. Sounds about as dangerous as gasoline… but it’s not flammable. “No firm link with cancer, no impact on the environment.” Causes nervous system depression and liver damage (like, um, drinking booze?!!)
For those who are frightened by safety warnings, take a look at the warnings for a well-known industrial solvent DHMO, di-hydrogen monoxide 
DHMO kills thousands every year! It’s thoughtlessly used in industrial processes and workers aren’t warned about it! It’s extremely dangerous to inhale! It corrodes metals! Chemical forumula: H2O!!
Maybe I struck a sour nerve… Anyway, does the Methylene Chloride bubble because it has a low boling point and the lights supply enough heat to do this? If so, what temp?
I’m not sure about the temp, but I know it’s below 97 degrees F. I love those types of lights, we have a number of sets.
I’ve made them bubble by inserting them in various body cavities.
waiting…
No NOT THERE, in my ear, my mouth, and once they get going I could hold it in my hand just right and keep it going. They were kinda fun in my ear, just laying there by the Christmas tree watching TV, with a bubble light in my ear.
In this situation…I WON’T use my imagination. Thanks for the info anyway.
“If so, what temp?”
Methylene chloride, CH[sub]2[/sub]Cl[sub]2[/sub], boils at 40°C (104°F). That’s under one atmosphere of pressure. It’ll be different depending on the pressure inside the sealed tubes.
Besides having a convenient boiling point, methylene chloride is considerably less flammable than other possibilities such as ethyl ether, or butane. It’s also less toxic than say carbon tetrachloride.