UV light source for alt processes

[peoplemerge]

Sandy King wrote this article https://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Light/light.html in which he describes the light source. Wow, am I a fan of this guy, Pyrocat-HD is my newest go-to developer.

I ordered the current version of the bulb he recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAJV9CC but I don't understand how to order what's needed to power it. He describes: "The unit I chose was a MHSS 1000-MT Lumark Fixture with a 23” round reflector (see Grainger Item No. 7v197 in the 2002 catalog for equivalent), complete with ballast, and a MH1000 w/v/5k Venture Lamp. I ordered both the Lumark fixture and lamp through a large electrical supply store in Greenville, SC."

Prior to ordering from Amazon, I tried two electrical suppliers who sell the bulb about how to order the fixture and ballast but neither replied. I took the bulb to the local hardware store but was met only little more than with bugged-out eyes at the size, shape, and general beauty of the bulb.

 

[Vaughn]

You are going to need a ballast for it. https://www.1000bulbs.com/category/pulse-start-ballasts/

I use 750W self-ballasted Mercury Vapor Lamps, but they are hard to find these days. Up to 160W can easily be found, but not the higher wattage ones.

I did find some: https://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/l...bs-self-ballasted/sb750-r57rf-240-250v-mogul/

They have a larger-than-normal base. Any bulbs this large of a wattage put lot of heat out, too.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Wow. It's a thousand watts and it draws a lot of current. I would use a lower wattage but just as effective UV LED lamps with a wavelength of 400nm-410nm.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

If you want something inexpensive to get you started, they sell GE 22" black light fixtures on Amazon for $20-ish each. Put yourself a rack of them together and you'll be good to go - I used 12 of them to build a UV light box for the school where I teach, plugged into a 12-outlet surge strip, which is then plugged into a Gra-Lab timer. With the plywood box to house them, the lamps, the surge strip, and the Gra-Lab, you're into it for about $300-350, give or take, and you can make 22x30 inch prints at the largest, or expose 3 8x10 prints simultaneously.

 

[jeffreyg]

I have a light box purchased from Bostick and Sullivan some years ago that uses easily purchased black light lamps. It has a cooling fan so if you are inclined to make one yourself take a look at the design they use. If your unit will expose you to the uv light be sure to have eye protection.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[peoplemerge]

Quick update... I finally found a ballast from 1000bulbs and got a socket locally, now to understand this wiring diagram so I don’t blow it...

 

[peoplemerge]

Success! Burning cyanotypes with 10m of exposure time! Thanks everyone, @Vaughn in particular for identifying the ballast as pulse start.

 

[railwayman3]

This company (in the UK) offers UV lamps, and various other cyanotype supplies. I have no experience of them yet, but am proposing to buy a kit (as soon as I have some spare time.... )

https://cyanotype.co.uk/

 

[Jojje]

Our pet tortoise has an UV-lamp in her terrarium. Effective, too: at least killed the fungus in my Voigtländer.