🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <2955@kitty.UUCP> larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) writes:
>In article <7200027@silver>, commgrp@silver.bacs.indiana.edu writes:
>> Where can I get "black light" (longwave ultraviolet) fluorescent-lamp
>> tubes??
>> 
>> ... I'm looking 
>> for a 4-watt UV tube to replace the white tube in a Radio Sh** 
>> battery-powered fluorescent lamp, to be used to illuminate fluorescent 
>> cave formations.
>
>	What you want is an F4T5/BL or F4T5BLB fluorescent lamp, made
>by General Electric and other vendors.  This is a 4-watt lamp, approximately
>6 inches long and 5/8 inch in diameter.  It is a miniature bi-pin lamp
>which is designed for a pre-heat circuit (although with high voltage and/or
>high frequency excitation, it need not be run as a pre-heat lamp.
>
>	Try any wholesale electrical supply distributor, such as Graybar
>Electric.  I would guess the lamp to be around $ 5.00 or less.
>

I've collected fluorescent minerals (don't worry- not cave formations!)
for years, and own a twin-tube UV light made by Raytech (4W longwave and 4W
shortwave).  I think you would get much more satisfaction by investing in an 
inexpensive long/short wavelength light professionally made.  The mineral 
fluorescence you want to see will be MUCH more pronounced with a filter over 
the bulb- to filter out most of the blue/violet wavelengths.  The blue 
coating that acts as a filter on hardware store "poster lights" is extremely 
inefficient at cutting out the unwanted visible light.  Also, MANY more 
minerals fluoresce under shortwave than longwave.  You can get a nice battery 
powered lamp with a single bulb that produces BOTH long and short wavelengths 
for under (I'm guessing) $30.  

Two reputable places that make/sell ultraviolet lights for mineralogical 
hobbiest use are:

UVP, Inc.  (Ultra Violet Products)
5100 Walnut Grove Ave
P.O. Box 1501
San Gabriel, CA   91778
818-285-3123
They will send you a free brochure about their Mineralight ultraviolet lamps.
My impression of this company is that they sell many portable models.

Raytech Industries, Inc
Industrial Way
Stafford Springs, Connecticut   06076
203-684-4273
I'm pretty sure they also have a free brocure about their product.
My impression of this company is that they sell solidly built units, 
including LARGE electric display case sizes as well as portables.

I'm sure both places would sell you "replacement" (heh heh) lamps if
you still want to go that route, but I'd think the $5 price mentioned
above would be a bit low.
They both sell longwave, shortwave or long/shortwave (multi or single bulb)
lamps.

A tip to add to your enjoyment:  let your eyes adjust to the darkness before
using the lamp.  E.g. sit in the dark for 5 minutes or so, then turn on
the lamp.  Your eyes will be MUCH more sensitive to dimly fluorescent
and phosphorescent stuff; you'll be amazed.

Rick


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Rick Inzero					rochester!cci632!rdi
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