Homebrew PCBs

In a message dated 2/12/2013 7:05:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
rgsparber@... writes:

The reason that having the ferric chloride dark is an issue for me is that  
I
use a translucent tub that sits over a 200W incandescent bulb. I am able  to
slowly slosh the liquid back and forth while looking at the board  being
etched. As light shines through the copper free areas, I am able to  monitor
the process.

Rick
 
Good point Rick. It sounds like you are trying to see up through the
board from the bottom up.  Have you tried placing a bulb over top  of the
etching tub?
 
I use one of those hand-held trouble lights and hold it directly over 
my etching tray so I can see what is going on with the board
and check it every few minutes.  Usually it is pretty easy for  me
to see when the copper is etched off the board.  Not making the  etchant 
level more than 
an inch deep over the board helps also. But I guess when the etchant gets  
too dark
it can make it hard to see the board when it is submerged. The Ferric  
Chloride
is already pretty dark to begin with.
 
73 Todd WD4NGG