Convert to UV light box?

Dawn · Jan 31, 2012

I have an antique light box - it presently contains about 16 regular light bulbs in it (3 of them are red).
I am assuming it was used for viewing but here's my question...
Can I put in UV bulbs instead of what's there and use it for exposing?
I don't want to blow it up and know nothing about electricity (nor can I afford a UV light source other than the sun and that's hard to come by in February).
Help?

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 31, 2012

Take a look at this.
http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-SL20-BLB-Spiral-Blacklight/dp/B002P4TYVK/ref=pd_cp_hi_0

I would buy only one and run a test first before sinking money on more bulbs to fill a light box.

Dawn · Jan 31, 2012

Thanks!
Are you suggesting that one would be enough to expose say an 8x10 contact print? I think that I'm misunderstanding you....how would I test it? Or do you mean just to see if it fits/works at all?

jeffreyg · Jan 31, 2012

Dawn,

You haven't given too much information. I have a UV light box purchased from Bostick and Sullivan that I use for pt/pd printing. It takes eight blacklight bulbs that are like small fluorescent tubes. It has a fan and can handle up to 11x14. If you don't get the info you want here try calling them (Santa Fe, NM). They are very helpful.

Good luck.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 31, 2012

No I'm not saying that

Dawn said:
Thanks!
Are you suggesting that one would be enough to expose say an 8x10 contact print? I think that I'm misunderstanding you....how would I test it? Or do you mean just to see if it fits/works at all?

Hi Dawn,
I'm saying that buy one, run a test with the one bulb on a small test print no bigger than 4x5 inches couple inches away and see if it will work. It wouldn't be prudent to buy a dozen and find out it doesn't work. Put your toes in the water before diving in I say.

Vaughn · Jan 31, 2012

Others have built UV boxes around those types of bulbs. I have recently seen a price of about $75 for a dozen of them. Home Depot, I think. They would just screw into a regular light socket.

Herzeleid · Feb 1, 2012

I constructed myself an UV box a few months back, with the help of Loris from APUG. The thing about the bulb is you are looking for a BL365 ( Blacklikght in365 nm wavelength ). The bulb from the amazon says it is for ambient lighting and it is purple. BL365 bulbs produce blue blacklight. It is UV-A light and it is hazardous to stare at them or being exposed to them for long.

This one suits your needs. Look for the wavelength, BL365
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/522322602/Blacklight_Blue_Compact_Fluorescent_Lamps.html

Regular light bulbs are E27 socket and I don't think you can blow it up buy using these bulbs. They are usually 20W bulbs, but check your current bulbs Watt in the light box to make sure.

Edit:
BTW mosquito trap bulbs might work too. They are BL350.

holmburgers · Feb 1, 2012

Hi Dawn,

What exactly does your antique light box look like? If you put anywhere from 5 to 16 curley-cue black-light bulbs in, you'll be doing great. Even 2-3 will work, but it'll mean longer exposures.

If the light box can accomodate 16 tungsten bulbs, it will accommodate compact fluorescents with ease.

Dawn · Feb 2, 2012

Thanks, will give it a try!

Dawn · Feb 2, 2012

Great info, thanks! Will look it up!

jp498 · Feb 2, 2012

I use a 400w metal halide floodlight. (as would be used in a gymnasium or warehouse). It was a freebie from an electrician friend. They regularly sell for less than shipping cost if you bought one used online.

Having a non-sun source is good for evening work of course, and for repeatability.

You should be able to get blacklight bulbs from lowes/home depot as well for your contact printing light if you want to go that route.

MattKing · Feb 3, 2012

Dawn said:
I have an antique light box - it presently contains about 16 regular light bulbs in it (3 of them are red).
I am assuming it was used for viewing but here's my question...
Can I put in UV bulbs instead of what's there and use it for exposing?
I don't want to blow it up and know nothing about electricity (nor can I afford a UV light source other than the sun and that's hard to come by in February).
Help?

If the box allows individual or partial by group control your light box might actually be a contact printer.

Dawn · Feb 6, 2012

No, but I thought originally it was a contact printer because it has a timer on it. Its just that there are all those bulbs (reg 60w) that all come on at the same time. That's why I inquired. If it is a contact printer then I need the blacklight....right? Regular bulbs would take for ever - or not work at all.
Going to test it out tonight...just had to get my hands on some supplies.
APUG is great - thanks to everyone!

Mainecoonmaniac · Feb 6, 2012

One thing you might think of is that florescent bulbs don't like being turned off and on a lot. Once they warm up, you might just want to leave them on for the duration of the print session. They don't consume a lot of electricity. I just got done building a light box with some black lights I got from Ebay.
http://www.amazon.com/24-Black-Ligh...=UTF8&qid=1327103871&sr=1-2&tag=5336612507-20

I'm going to test it next weekend.

Convert to UV light box?

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