Best caving UV source?

MrBaz · Jun 10, 2007

Which would be a better option for caving: one of the 50-count 380nm LED flashlight setups, or a small handheld 365nm CCFL?

These are the cheapest, and only 380nm LED's I can find: http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?products_id=469

ghostguy6 · Jun 11, 2007

Those "made in china" have a tendancy to burn out really fast and have a rather poor build quality. Get yourself a good quality UV light like the Inova X1 or X5. In a caving enviroment you will really appreciate a good quality light.

MrBaz · Jun 11, 2007

ghostguy6 said:
Those "made in china" have a tendancy to burn out really fast and have a rather poor build quality. Get yourself a good quality UV light like the Inova X1 or X5. In a caving enviroment you will really appreciate a good quality light.

I would be making my own. I agree with you on the uber-cheap UV flashlights. The thing is, I need UV in 380nm or lower (such as 365nm). Most UV flashlights are only 395nm.

What I'm asking is if an array of these UV LED's in a mag body would be sufficiently bright enough to use in large caves/caverns.

MrBaz · Jun 12, 2007

Anyone know of a good location to purchase 380nm and 365nm LED's?
What would be a good way to drive an array of these (~40-50 LED's)?

MrBaz · Jun 14, 2007

Anyone?

MrBaz · Jun 17, 2007

Can anyone refer me to any good sources or making a good UV flashlight?:sigh:

BB · Jun 17, 2007

You can look at the LED Museum for his (Craig's) discussion of UV LEDS...

From what little I have read over the years--the deeper into the UV range, the more likely the LED's are going to self destruct from the effects of the short wave UV light itself.

Florescent black lights, filtered mercury arc, filtered HID's, and such would seem to be a better (and in many cases, probably more efficient than LED's for larger light sources).

Why do you want LED's? Efficiency, weight, size, specific wavelength?

Craig might be able to add more recent information to this discussion...

-Bill

TITAN1833 · Jun 17, 2007

mrbaz you may like to look here www.uvflashlights.com its all there charts lights for caving.good luck.and welcome to CPF.

MrBaz · Jun 18, 2007

BB said:
You can look at the LED Museum for his (Craig's) discussion of UV LEDS...

From what little I have read over the years--the deeper into the UV range, the more likely the LED's are going to self destruct from the effects of the short wave UV light itself.

Florescent black lights, filtered mercury arc, filtered HID's, and such would seem to be a better (and in many cases, probably more efficient than LED's for larger light sources).

Why do you want LED's? Efficiency, weight, size, specific wavelength?

Craig might be able to add more recent information to this discussion...

-Bill

I'm just looking at making a UV flashlight that is somewhat durable (I'll be in cave after all) and portable. I was just thinking that LED's would be able to take the occasional drop without damaging any filaments. I also like the size.
I would like a UV light source that is durable, somewhat compact(MagLite-size), and has good throw.

carrot · Jun 18, 2007

Barbolight? I don't know if they make a UV one but they certainly *could*.

Lunal_Tic · Jun 18, 2007

I think these guys are still members: Xenopus

-LT

wacbzz · Jun 18, 2007

Sorry about the *ignorant* question, but what is a uv light used for in caving? :candle:

OhMyGosh · Jun 18, 2007

All Electronics has 4" and 12" CCFL's (cold cathode florescent light).
They are probably more efficient than LEDs for UV. I would expect the durablity would depend more on the case design than the bulb itself.

BB · Jun 18, 2007

wacbzz said:
Sorry about the *ignorant* question, but what is a uv light used for in caving? :candle:

Look up Mineral Lights and UV... Basically, there are many minerals out there that fluoresce (glow with different colors) when exposed to various wavelengths of UltraViolet light ("Long" and "Short" UV, or UVA--long wave just beyond violet/purple of what eyes can see--not too dangerous--party poster type lights, UVB--"suntan" and eye damage very likely with exposure, and UVC--creates Ozone and kills living organisms)...

Here is a link of some pictures.

-Bill

PS and another link of samples (click on pictures to see UV colors).

Norm · Jun 19, 2007

I'm not sure if this would suit you needs but I have one on order to mount on a star and install in a cheap DX host.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4334
UV wave length: 395 ~ 410 nm
Driving voltage: 3.0~4.0V
Driving current: 350~500mA

wacbzz · Jun 19, 2007

Thanks for the info Bill.

Best caving UV source?

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