Fluorescent Torches & Lamps

[user 4386]

https://prospectors.com.au/collecti...-longwave-4-watts-4-aa-batteries-not-included

 

[LONEWOLF]

Not a bad price, but a bit low on wattage... I looked at some other items on that site... OMG their prices are up there...

LW...

 

[BigWave]

Thanks GR - I've searched the net for UV lamps and have bought a few, then decided to build my own.
I'm building one powered by 240Vac, as I want to use it on a display case.
It therefore has to be a much higher wattage and not running on batteries.
It'll cost around $130 in parts and I'm having fun building it (when I find time).

 

[sand surfer]

Here is the torch LW

white light

yellow light

uv light

white and yellow light pictures taken outside in the sunlight rector burners they are that bright, uv in the shed could not see the uv outside

 

[user 4386]

Thanks GR - I've searched the net for UV lamps and have bought a few, then decided to build my own.
I'm building one powered by 240Vac, as I want to use it on a display case.
It therefore has to be a much higher wattage and not running on batteries.
It'll cost around $130 in parts and I'm having fun building it (when I find time).

Mains is good for display but not for use in the field - horses for courses I guess.

 

[BigWave]

Completed and powered on.
Very little UVC light output.
Stupidly, I ordered a ZWB1 filter, whereas this UVC lamp requires a ZWB3 filter
So, another few weeks wait until the correct filter arrives.

 

[LONEWOLF]

Ooops BW...

That's a bright torch Sand Surfer... I think you will find the 'UV' is a 'Black Light'..... Ok on some minerals but not in the UV Spectrum...

That would be good in the bush at night tho. Lots of Fun..

We plan to build a 'Home use' UV light first... then move into the Field Lights... They will take a bit more to get up and going... But they won't be as expensive as most that are out there...

You could always use a generator to power a home light in the Field... That would work in most areas that I know where these minerals hide... ickshovel:

LW...

 

[sand surfer]

Thanks for that lone wolf,what have i done 8.(
yes it is a bright light you can see the blue light on the kitchen floor in the middle of the day
looks like i have got a expensive scorpion hunting torch :lol:
Ok i will have to wait and see what you and big wave come up with in the near future

 

[BigWave]

It would be interesting to see if performance was changed at all in a meaningful way later on with the use of a fan regardless of heat issues. Some/many bulbs create ozone which strongly absorbs UV-C so it's best to vent it out if it's in there. I guess a sniff test would tell you if a lot of ozone being made.

You were quite correct Guessologist and I thank you for your input.

The lamp that I bought does have a 10% 185nm spectral omission, which creates a lot of Ozone.

These 254nm germicidal lamps come in Ozone and non-Ozone variants (the non-Ozone variants use a Chemical doping of the Quartz to suppress the 185nm emissions).

I'll start looking for a non-Ozone emitting lamp such as the Philips TUV PL-S series.

 

[user 4386]

Good to see BigWave discussing uv lamps. There has been some previous discussion of uv lamps - it is good to get the right lamp as some are pretty useless.

 

[Adrian ss]

There seems to be quite a few AA battery powered LED UV long and Short Wave torches on ebay.. 254 nM & 395 nM
I have one of each and they seem to be ok but not much range.

Also have Gemmologist type LW & SW light boxes. The above torches perform quite well.
The uranium glass on the "Interesting Stuff Under UV" topic was illuminated by this from 2 foot dist:

 

[BigWave]

The 395nm gives off too much visible violet to be effective. Get yourself a 365nm torch like the Convoy S2+ and you'll find it much better.
They even provide a filter for you to insert which makes it even better.

 

[Detecta]

I bought this one, it work's well. https://www.fluorescents.com/products-convoy-c8-uv-led.html

 

[Adrian ss]

Have this one that works well and is focusable. Has a good range of severl mtr and is 365nM. Solid and well made.
Powered by one 18650 lithium ion bat. Also has a flash/flicker mode. OK for 28 bucks.
Other wavelengths available.