UV question

[jiggiwiddit]

Im looking for some feedback before I commit to buy some UV lighting.

Im not sure whether to go CCFL or LED. I have plenty of space at the top of the case and some at the sides. I want to flood the case with an even amount of light so Im thinking of positioning an acrylic mirror above the units to spread the light around the case. Life span is a consideration as I dont want to be replacing them a lot. So what do you think? Lots of LEDs, or a few CCFLs?

[mDust]

CCFL = Brighter and more even light
LEDs = Longer life, more focused light

Also, I'd just paint the top white instead of mirroring it. If you want even light, you want to diffuse and reflect it instead of just reflecting it. Lightly sanding the non-mirrored side of the acrylic would also work if you already bought it.

[SXRguyinMA]

I vote for CCFL's over LEDs as well. much brighter and a more natural spread of light

[jiggiwiddit]

CCFL = Brighter and more even light
LEDs = Longer life, more focused light

Also, I'd just paint the top white instead of mirroring it. If you want even light, you want to diffuse and reflect it instead of just reflecting it. Lightly sanding the non-mirrored side of the acrylic would also work if you already bought it.

Thanks for advice. The case is full alloy and I dont want to paint it, might try a bit of matt rigid white plastic

I vote for CCFL's over LEDs as well. much brighter and a more natural spread of light

The CCFL option is looking good even if they need replaced more often.
What about UV reactive parts? Do they 'fade' after prolonged UV use?

[mDust]

What about UV reactive parts? Do they 'fade' after prolonged UV use?

I've never seen anything become less reactive if that's what you mean.

[jiggiwiddit]

I've never seen anything become less reactive if that's what you mean.

Thats what I mean....

Many thanks to all

[SXRguyinMA]

FWIW I used a bunch of 4" and 12" CCFLs for 4+years with no issues

[jiggiwiddit]

I tried experimenting with five 5mm uv LEDs and got this result

With flash

Without

The camera seems to be picking up a lot of the blue lit background areas in the pics that I cant really see with naked eye.

This is not as intense as I'd like. So a couple of uv CCFLs and subtle use of florescent and black paint and I'll have the look im after.

Thanks to all for input

[SXRguyinMA]

yea the CCFLs put out a more even and bigger spread of light, whereas the LEDs are small and spotty (depending on the LED of course)