hoganflagle
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2007
Posts: 62
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Post by hoganflagle on May 9, 2007 5:17:14 GMT -5
Hi all;
I am considering picking up an entry level (under $100) handheld battery powered combination short and long wave UV lamp. I have found one web site that offers one at $75 before shipping that produces a 1-2' pattern from 2-3 feet. I am considering the entry level as I have sentenced myself to living on the South East Coast line where my only chance to really hunt fluorescent specimens would be occasionally in western NC. I intend on using the lamp as a field light for checking specimens. I have an open shelf in an enclosed glassed-in cabinet that I eventually intend on installing UV display lights so that I may start a fluorescent mineral collection. My collection will be of specimens that I find, occasionally buy. Of course donated specimens would always be welcome ;D.
Any recommendations of hand held lamp sources as well as models? Also lessons learned?
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Post by LCARS on May 9, 2007 10:16:51 GMT -5
My advice is try to stick to compact fluorescent tubes to start out. When you start getting into the high pressure mercury vapor lamps and CSI type stuff it gets expensive and a bit more dangerous (could blind or give youself skin cancer). There is usually enough UVA & UVB in standard BL tubes to excite most fluorescent minerals for the purpose of displaying them. I modified a 4-LED flashlight to use UVA emitting LED's instead of white and for what it's worth (about $10) I can walk around with it at night and light up fluorescent material in a 3' area from 8'-10' away, only problem is the emission spectrum does not go into the UVB range so you'd be missing anything sensitive to UVB but not UVA using the LED approach. What it DOES have going for it is ultimate portability, easy to power and cheap to make. Oh-great, now I guess I'll be expected to post pics too..
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nightop
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2007
Posts: 132
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Post by nightop on May 9, 2007 10:56:39 GMT -5
I modified a 4-LED flashlight to use UVA emitting LED's instead of white and for what it's worth (about $10) Oh-great, now I guess I'll be expected to post pics too.. Oh Yes you will
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Post by LCARS on May 9, 2007 13:02:30 GMT -5
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hoganflagle
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2007
Posts: 62
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Post by hoganflagle on May 9, 2007 14:33:25 GMT -5
Hi LCARS;
I had previously looked at an LED UV light that a web site was advertising for $23 that looked similar to yours except they had mounted 14 LEDs in it. It was touted to run 15 hours on 3 AAA batteries. It did not specify what spectrum but I assume it was long wave. As I was not sure what spectrum it was built for, I passed on it.
The reason I was looking at the light mentioned in my first post, was that I read that there is a grouping of Fluorescent rocks that only responds to UVB and that grouping is almost as large as the UVA grouping. The light is considered entry level, and by design has both spectrums, and I am aware of the hazards of UVB and will take all necessary precautions. Was just wondering if there was any other products that falls into what I am looking for that I have failed to locate on my exhaustive searches of the INTERNET.
Thanks... Dug
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nightop
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2007
Posts: 132
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Post by nightop on May 9, 2007 14:36:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the Pics, now to go find the parts and pieces
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Post by goldfinger on May 14, 2007 9:48:49 GMT -5
Hi all; I am considering picking up an entry level (under $100) handheld battery powered combination short and long wave UV lamp. I have found one web site that offers one at $75 before shipping that produces a 1-2' pattern from 2-3 feet. I am considering the entry level as I have sentenced myself to living on the South East Coast line where my only chance to really hunt fluorescent specimens would be occasionally in western NC. I intend on using the lamp as a field light for checking specimens. I have an open shelf in an enclosed glassed-in cabinet that I eventually intend on installing UV display lights so that I may start a fluorescent mineral collection. My collection will be of specimens that I find, occasionally buy. Of course donated specimens would always be welcome ;D. Any recommendations of hand held lamp sources as well as models? Also lessons learned? Did you get my PM? Steve
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fossilman
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2007
Posts: 256
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Post by fossilman on May 14, 2007 10:11:36 GMT -5
don't forget that many fossils also fluoresce. Especially bones and teeth.
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hoganflagle
having dreams about rocks
Member since April 2007
Posts: 62
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Post by hoganflagle on May 14, 2007 16:57:44 GMT -5
Just read the PM Goldfinger.
Sorry, I have gotten into a bad habit of reading the board without logging in. I've done twenty push ups for neglecting my message box.
I have responded to your pm.
R/S Dug
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