UVC Toothbrush Sanitizer lamp on closeout at WallyWorld

[PhotonWrangler]

I wasn't sure where to put this one, but I found a portable shortwave-UV toothbrush sanitizer on closeout at my local WallyWorld for $9.00, normally $20, so I bought a couple.

I might use one for it's intended purpose and try modding the other one as a low power mineral collecting lamp for closeup inspection. It's the smallest, cheapest shortwave UV lamp I've ever run across.

 

[senecaripple]

would shining a UV flashlight to sanitize the toothbrush work?

 

[PhotonWrangler]

Nope. It has to be shortwave UV, which is much shorter in wavelength than regular UV LEDs. The shorter wavelength of UVC lamps actually damages the cell walls of bacteria, effectively sunburning them to death. UVC fluorescent lamps are sold as "germicidal" lamps.

 

[Empath]

Toothbrush sanitizers aren't flashlights.

Heads-up good deal finds, regardless, should be posted in the Good Deals forum of the MarketPlace. Thread closed.

 

[Empath]

It's very likely that a discussion was the real intent. I've moved it to Personal Gadgetry for further discussion, and re-opened it.

 

[Chrontius]

Hm.
So, other uses for shortwave UV light - what else is there?

I'll have to check the local Wal-Mart. We just had beard trimmers at ours last I looked.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

The primary uses for shortwave (254nm) UV lamps are germidal and fluorescent mineral identification. They're also used in some air cleaners.

My thinking for this is as a potential mod for a shortwave UV source for fluorescent mineral collecting. All I'd need to do is slide off the plastic cover and replace it with a 254nm-pass UV filter. The special filter glass is a little hard to come by, but most fluorescent mineral collectors can find it.

The active area of the lamp is about 1" long. It appears to be a CCFL type. There's a built-in timer that turns it off after about 10 minutes, which is more than enough for quick UV identification of minerals, so I wouldn't have to bypass the timer circuit.

 

[Jeep olllllo]

For a UV source why not use an unfiltered fluorscent Blacklight (the white ones- not purple)? there are many types of battery operated hosts available at reasonable prices.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

Those are longwave UV. They're typically used in bug zappers.

 

[Jeep olllllo]

Those are longwave UV. They're typically used in bug zappers.

OK. I wasnt aware of the longwave vs shortwave difference. I thought UV was UV. Now I know better.

I used to work for a lamp supplier. The number one use we sold our blacklights (unfiltered) for was to provide UV for sick lizards. a million or so uses for UV lights...and that was far and away the number one reason....kinda funny.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

I used to work for a lamp supplier. The number one use we sold our blacklights (unfiltered) for was to provide UV for sick lizards. a million or so uses for UV lights...and that was far and away the number one reason....kinda funny.

UV for sick lizards - I never knew about that application! Interesting.

In the fluorescent mineral world, the vast majority of minerals will fluoresce only under shortwave UV, and when they fluoresce, it's spectacular. A small percentage of minerals will fluoresce under longwave blacklight (scheelite or tungsten ore, for instance), and a smaller number of minerals will fluoresce one color under shortwave and a different color under longwave.

Shortwave UV sources are a little harder to come by than longwave, primarily because they have a narrow range of applications, and partly because shortwave UV is pretty nasty stuff - it can cause sunburn very quickly, and it can damage skin and eyes if you're not careful around it. But it's indispensable for fluorescent mineral identification.

 

[Jeep olllllo]

Heh, if only Edison could see what we have done with his crazy invention. Do you have any pics of how the minerals look under the shortwave?

Thanks for the info.

Paul

 

[PhotonWrangler]

Heh, if only Edison could see what we have done with his crazy invention. Do you have any pics of how the minerals look under the shortwave?

Thanks for the info.

Paul

Yeah, Mr. Edison would've freaked out if he'd seen what he started. As for photos, this page is a good start. Here's another one. And another one. The franklinite-willemite-calcite specimens are probably the most spectacular examples and are my personal favorite for their sheer "wow!" effect.