UV light from flourescent

[kath]

What is the typical range of wavelengths emitted by a UV flourescent tube
found in a cheap handheld torch like the one in this picture?

http://excessaudio.co.uk/app_themes/ea/images/products/160120_CO1.jpg

I'm looking for a cheap lamp which emits UV at approx 365 nanometers. I
need to use it only a few times so I want to pay as little as poss.

 

[Don Klipstein]

What is the typical range of wavelengths emitted by a UV flourescent tube
found in a cheap handheld torch like the one in this picture?

http://excessaudio.co.uk/app_themes/ea/images/products/160120_CO1.jpg

I'm looking for a cheap lamp which emits UV at approx 365 nanometers. I
need to use it only a few times so I want to pay as little as poss.

Sometimes peaks around 350 nm, sometimes 360, sometimes 365, usually
peaks around 360-365 nm.

 

[kath]

Sometimes peaks around 350 nm, sometimes 360, sometimes 365, usually
peaks around 360-365 nm.

That's encouraging to know.

This sort of handheld torch uses four AA cells. Would this type of lamp be
brighter is I used alkaline or rechargeable nickel hydride cells? I can't
see the UV light well enough to tell!

I heard it said (about digital cameras) that alkaline cells can't deliver
as much current as a NiMH cell. However the alkaline cells have a higher
voltage.

Which cells would make the flourescent tube glow more brightly?

 

[Don Klipstein]

That's encouraging to know.

This sort of handheld torch uses four AA cells. Would this type of lamp be
brighter is I used alkaline or rechargeable nickel hydride cells? I can't
see the UV light well enough to tell!

I heard it said (about digital cameras) that alkaline cells can't deliver
as much current as a NiMH cell. However the alkaline cells have a higher
voltage.

Which cells would make the flourescent tube glow more brightly?

I have a bit of experience with similar products. The current draw
is low enough for alkaline cells to deliver more voltage, especially
if, as you said, you won't be using the product a lot.

 

[Helmut Wabnig]

That's encouraging to know.

This sort of handheld torch uses four AA cells. Would this type of lamp be
brighter is I used alkaline or rechargeable nickel hydride cells? I can't
see the UV light well enough to tell!

I heard it said (about digital cameras) that alkaline cells can't deliver
as much current as a NiMH cell. However the alkaline cells have a higher
voltage.

Which cells would make the flourescent tube glow more brightly?

Are you a mineralogist?

For that type of UV lamp use alkaline cells, not NIMH or similar.
The higer voltage is good for the lamp.

w.

 

[kath]

Are you a mineralogist?

For that type of UV lamp use alkaline cells, not NIMH or similar.
The higer voltage is good for the lamp.

w.

It's not for minerology but for use as a medical Wood's Lamp to show
skin infections.

 

[Don Klipstein]

It's not for minerology but for use as a medical Wood's Lamp to show
skin infections.

It does appear to me that wavelengths anywhere in the 345-385 nm range
are good for this application.

Some UV LED flashlights have claimed peak wavelength shorter than test
results reported by my favorite LED flashlight tester having a website:

http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/led/ledleft.htm

LED flashlights reported by "LEDMuseum" to have actual-tested peak
wavelength 340-381 nm as well as "BLB blacklight fluorescent" (dark
color blue-violet tubing glass) of "ordinary blacklight" grades appear
to me good for this application.

 

[Helmut Wabnig]

It's not for minerology but for use as a medical Wood's Lamp to show
skin infections.

I have another idea:
You may try out the inspection lamp for air conditioning and cooling
machines.
If there is leakage, the coolant is mixed with a green flourescent
dye. The inspection lamp has a special filter in front and
additionally the person doing the work wears special protection
glasses which filter out ambient light and only let the flourescent
light pass. Very efficient.
Examples are here:

http://tinyurl.com/6c3ahsk


w.