UV/Blacklight Research and Buying Options
- MikAnimate
- May 9, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: May 10, 2020
Ok so I need some uv/black light to light up my flowers in the book world (Leo's World). I've tried using glow sticks and glow in the dark paint but the results were not bright enough. Through the use of blacklight I should be able to use fluorescent paint and half of the glow stick solution to create glowing flowers.
I have also done some tests using mini LED battery operated lights and transparent materials such as plastic, fibre optics and nail polish (soon to be posted) but I can't achieve detailed flower petals without a glow around its edge which can only be achieved through uv.
So I'm going to take you through my process of thinking and my short research journey into the world of UV/Blacklight. Please note: I am no expert and am only summarising what I have read.
What is uv and blacklight
Uv is the type of ray that the sun emits and it is invisible to the naked eye. Blacklight is a type of lamp that emits uv rays.
I was told by an electrician friend that UV germicidal Lamps are dangerous to use and that I need to search for blacklight not uv.
Considering my options
From looking at these guides below I found out what types of uv/black lighting you can buy online. Tubes are best for walls, flood light best for stage, spotlight best for disco, flashlights, and outdoor blacklights.
Another factor to consider is that some uv/black lights have an ambient purple or blue light which is something we need to avoid.
Black Stage light- $31 each would probably need 2
Negative- looks like it has lots of pink ambient light.
Stage party Lamp- low powered LED
Black light Tube- A good second option but is a bit pricy if ordering 2.
Another option would be an old secondhand UV light tubes and fixture which are affordable to buy but can have harmful rays if people are exposed to them for too long. Being stop motion I would have to stand under this light for a long period of time. Thats why I decided to buy a new lighting fixture and LEDs especially, are safer to use.
Chosen Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D871erCFvEU -Video tutorial I am following
The man in this video suggested to buy strip LED uv lights and to stick them next to each other on a piece of wood.
LEDs are bright, cheap, flexible, customisable and safe to use.
Although LED's are the cheapest lighting option it requires a lot of extra accessories for it to work. Such as: power adapter, power plug adapter female, dimmer (need to check if LED is dimmable), connectors.
I couldn't find any uv LED strip light packs with all these necessary connectors included.
Things to Consider
Connectors- need to be double connector (both ends of the wire have connections that don't require soldering), 2 pin or 4 pin (2 or 4 wires), need to check if width matches LED strip light width, need to check what nm it is 3528, 5630, 2835, 5050 ect.
Adaptor- need to check if voltage matches LED lights, need to see what amperage it takes 2A, 3A, 5A ect. See if it comes with a free Female plug.
Dimmer- 2 or 4 pin.
3M tape is another thing to consider buying (from bunnings) to attach the light to the wood if the stick adhesive on the LED strip light isn't strong enough.
Difference between smds
5050 is a bigger chip LED and has a brighter glow.
The Amount of Watts does NOT determine the amount UV a light possesses. This is measured in UV light watts. 365 nm produces the brightest flurestent glow, however, most strip lights were 395nm- 405nm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU1zq9G8DUQ Guide to buying LED connectors and soldering
Chosen Products
Power adapter and Female- https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Newest-Power-Supply-Adapter-Transformer-DC12V-1-2-3-5-6A-for-LED-Strip-AU-SHIP/264694106500?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=564501051793&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
All these products amounted in $61 which isn't too bad. The only thing I didn't consider was that all these products are made in China and we are in the middle of this pandemic so hopefully shipping is not delayed too much.
All in all I am happy with all the calculations of pricing and level of uv with the uv LED strip lighting. Next thing to do is to test them out! Will keep you posted.
This is really thorough. Is the electrician friend happy to join in wiring it up? I have a soldering iron if you need.