I have recently spoke to a lighting supplier who told me about germicidal tubes that could possibly be used in uv curing applications. This lights are generally used in purification of water and fish tanks. The emit a lot(to be scientific about things) of uv, so much that you can not work under or around them(or you will cook). They are about 30canadian dollars each though. Has anyone tried these tubes already? Has anyone pinned down the specifics for uv-curing. I have looked in the archives but have seen not mention of these types of tubes. I have determined though that one needs a light that has a frequency of 315-400 nanometers and 5000-6500degree colour temp. Are there any other things to look for. Any help is greatly appreciated
Check out Tom Sterne’s “UV Curing Details”,on a thread below at: http://www.swaylocks.com/discussion/board/index.cgi?read=2551 Tom posted two links. One shows curing emission requirements for UV catalyzed solutions. The other details available UV emission sources. The websites are, by far, the best I’ve seen. The sites pretty well bracket the germicidal UV wavelength band. I think UV resin cures in a pretty broad UV band. But apparently UV curing is most efficient in the UVA tanning light band. Non-color corrected mercury vapor lights put out large amounts of UV light across the UV spectrum. 175W MV guard lights (ballast and bulb) cost $33.00 U.S. I would try a couple of those first because they are so cheap. I would spray the inside of the plastic refractor with aluminum paint to help focus the light.>>> I have recently spoke to a lighting supplier who told me about germicidal > tubes that could possibly be used in uv curing applications. This lights > are generally used in purification of water and fish tanks. The emit a > lot(to be scientific about things) of uv, so much that you can not work > under or around them(or you will cook). They are about 30canadian dollars > each though. Has anyone tried these tubes already? Has anyone pinned down > the specifics for uv-curing. I have looked in the archives but have seen > not mention of these types of tubes. I have determined though that one > needs a light that has a frequency of 315-400 nanometers and > 5000-6500degree colour temp. Are there any other things to look for. Any > help is greatly appreciated
Stefan: As Noodle points out, there are several types of UV emitting flourescent lamps that will work. Cost can be a determing factor as is the recommendations of the manufacturer of the UV additive you are using. SunCure lists the following on their supplier list for their preferred lamp: Beach Dist. (they do list several others, this one knew about SunCure though) (800)330-2035 Diamond Sun (S) Lamps 48’ or 71" 71" cost $12.50 each. Another I found: PureTan International (www.puretaninc.com) Competing lamp to above- Puretan ST 71" 71" cost $11.95 each Nothing else I have found is cheaper or works as well as the tanning lamps if you are trying to put together a multi-lamp curing cabinet. For spot work or ding repair on small areas there are lots of options. Mercury Vapor, Black Light (white bug attractant type) and the germicidal type lamps you noted. Be Careful! ANY UV LIGHT can be harmful to your body and particularly your eyes. I glassed my first board this weekend using SunCure additive in Silmar S249a restin. All I can say is that I’m sold on this technology, it is everything it advertises to be and I’ve never turned out a better lamination. My UV cabinet is not completed yet so I just walked th board outside in the sunshine. The reaction is quick, even with the wind blowing and bugs flying it cured RAPIDO! On the bottom lam I walked out held it up and noticed a small dry spot on the rail lap that I missed, I walked back in, wet it out and she was fixed. The leftover resin was uncured and ready for my fixit, later I just poured it back in the can. You know all those pesky swallow tail cracks and nose/tail tips that always need touching up, now you can do it without rushing to beat the MEK. Home builders and perhaps the entire industry might benefit from this product. Comments from long time users?>>> I have recently spoke to a lighting supplier who told me about germicidal > tubes that could possibly be used in uv curing applications. This lights > are generally used in purification of water and fish tanks. The emit a > lot(to be scientific about things) of uv, so much that you can not work > under or around them(or you will cook). They are about 30canadian dollars > each though. Has anyone tried these tubes already? Has anyone pinned down > the specifics for uv-curing. I have looked in the archives but have seen > not mention of these types of tubes. I have determined though that one > needs a light that has a frequency of 315-400 nanometers and > 5000-6500degree colour temp. Are there any other things to look for. Any > help is greatly appreciated