I am going to be building my first enclosure for UV photo-resist PCB manufacture and I like to source as many of my components locally when possible.
Looking to my nearby Lowes I found 125 Watt clear mercury vapor bulbs and replacement bug zapper bulbs (purple, 'U' shaped), both for about 15 dollars.
Will both, either, of those options work? Is one better than the other? Exposure time requirements do not really bother me as long as they are in the same ballpark.
What would my considerations for ballast be?
Side question: Can I still use HCL as my etchant? Many tutorials say to use a different acid.
Thanks for any advice,
Chris
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "designer_craig" <cs6061@...> wrote:
>
> One souce of inexpensive UV bulbs is the little U shaped bulbs used in the gel nail curing units -- You can even buy the entire unit and hack out the ballast circuit as well. Just do an ebay search for gell curing lamps.
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-x-9W-UV-GEL-NAIL-CURING-LAMP-U-SHAPE-LIGHT-BULB-175-/300345893321?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ee02a1c9
>
> Additional ballasts can be had by hacking the bases of compact FL lamps.
>
> I was thinking of making a 6 tube unit -- 3 on the top 3 on the bottom.
> Though it may be easier to build a UV LED array.
>
> Craig
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "kirilian2351" <kirilian2351@> wrote:
> >
> > I am wanting to build a UV light box. I have read as many internet
> > articles as I could find on the subject. Some articles will
> > recommend certain bulbs while other articles will say to stay away
> > from those that were recommended. What is the best bulb to use that
> > is easily obtainable? I have read an article that suggested using
> > bug zapper bulbs. My local Home Depot carries 15W and 40W versions
> > of the replacement bulbs for the Zapper models. Would this type of
> > bulb work? I have also read about breaking the glass shell of a
> > mercury vapor bulb and using the internal tube as a UV source. I
> > don't plan to make large circuit boards (no larger than 6" square).
> >
> > Thanks!!
> >
>