Re: UV Exposure Source details

I packed the tubes as close together as the bi-pin connectors would allow. I
have a piece of sheet metal behind the bulbs that must be grounded. It is my
understanding that the grounded sheet metal (from Home Depot) is required to
provide the proper electric potential between the tubes and the ground to be
able to start properly. It also serves as a reflector.

One problem that I did have was that at first the bulbs did not want to all
consistently light up, so I needed to run my hand over the bulbs, apparently
to force that potential. Now that the bulbs have been used a bit, they all
start right up.

Basically, I used the directions that I found at

http://www.eepjon.com/ubldit.htm

I found a few other sets of directions on the web, but these seemed to be the
most coherent.

--
Bill Leigh
wrleigh@att.net
> I am in the process of building a fluorescent tube UV exposure unit, but
> would like some advice on a few details. I have found lots of
> information out there already, but some of it is conflicting. One set of
> plans has mylar reflectors behind the tubes, yet a different site says
> that reflectors are a bad idea.  The same site has a commercial lighting
> grid between the tubes and the exposure plane for collimation. I also
> find widely varying distances between the tubes and the exposure plane.
> I will not need to access the interior for burning or dodging (I use
> digital negs. and do all manipulations in Photoshop first). So any input
> and advice would be appreciated.
> 
> Jack R.
>