Looking for UV light 365-400 NM with output of ~1-3 mW per cm^2

August 17, 2024 3:32 PM

I'm looking for a UV light that I can use for curing wood finish. The description from the manufacturer states that it should be "a dedicated UV light with a frequency between 365 and 400 nm ... [which] must operate in low energy with a range of 1 to 3 milliwatts light output per square centimeter." I would prefer to spend under $60 or so.

I'm currently using this flashlight, which works great except the beam covers a very limited area at a time, so I'm looking for a larger one. I'm open to a strip light similar to the ones I link below, or a more traditional lightbulb, etc. Battery or 120V powered is fine.

The manufacturer recommends specific UV lights, but they're pretty expensive. Based on my experience with the flashlight I already had on hand I'm optimistic that a larger light with similar light output per cm^2 would suffice for my needs.

posted by unus sum to Shopping (5 answers total)

Unfortunately lights with well-controlled specs will be expensive -- Edmund Optics has a 365 nm spotlight for $329, which, at a distance of 100 mm covers a circle of 41 mm dia and does 27 W/m^2 which is 2.7 mW/cm^2.

Perhaps you can get a few of those Amazon lights and rework them into one light that covers a larger area, Do you know any electronics hobbyists who can do that for you? (ObWarning: UV can be hazardous, it should only done by someone who knows what they're doing.)
posted by phliar at 6:07 PM on August 17 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Buy a self adhesive strip of leds, cut into shorter strips, arrange in parallel lines on a board, solder to a 12v wall-wart if the strip wasn’t sold with one. DIY curing setups are easy to build, have fun!
posted by Iteki at 8:54 PM on August 17 [1 favorite]

These for example are the same wattage as your lamp, run on usb.
posted by Iteki at 9:02 PM on August 17 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I'm going to try the LED strip approach. The manufacturer-recommended lights output 24 W per 12" of bar length, so I will start with that and adjust up or down as needed.
posted by unus sum at 11:35 PM on August 17

Uv like this isn’t super dangerous, but it doesn’t trigger your blink reflex, so it’s easy to stare. Sleeves and the gloves you are ussing for resin handling aren’t a bad idea and perhaps a pair of orange shades. Consider your pets also, but I gather you will only end to use this for a minute or two at a time.and read the safety sheet for the UV you buy.
posted by Iteki at 8:08 AM on August 19