self ballasted mercury bulbs

[avandesande]

I was wondering if anyone had experience using self ballasted mercury bulbs for alt processes.
https://secure.tcinternet.net/buylighting/c.../cart/sbmv.html
It seems like the cheapest/simplest alternative, but I am not sure how well it will work and don't want to waste $80.
Thanks,
Aaron

 

[edbuffaloe]

Sandy King's article Ultraviolet Light Sources for Printing with the Alternative Processes at http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Light/light.html compares self-ballasted mercury and HID with other UV sources. I think it is the most comprehensive survey of UV sources ever done. Page 2 contains actual test data providing tonal range with various processes using different UV light sources.