Markelangelo Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Does anyone know where I can find the right equipment to do some black lighting? I've been trying to find some of the stuff, but I wanted to see if anyone had any advice before I purchase anything. Cheaper stuff is probably better for now, for my meager student wallet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarvaHunter Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Yes, a cheap and light that works well for me is the stinger bug killer, you have to take out the bulb then break off the plastic skill then clip the 2 wires inside connected to the inner metal cage and remove metal cage. Just top remains, plug bulb back in. Try to get the white uv black light because they also have the normal black light but that sucks compared. A white bed sheet is needed also with 1/3 of it on ground so ground insects can call up and insects in trees above etc can see the uv. That way you cover 2 different axis. You will need an extension cord as well. They sell it at Home Depot. The zapper is around 30 dollars if that is too much You can just buy a normal black light from Spencer's or eBay. Hope that helps. Are you needing fully remote for places with no power outlets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Clausen Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 I blacklight in my backyard every night. Sometimes I just use my 18 inch uvb bulb and sometimes I bust out my 48 inch blb's: http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-24922-350BL-Fluorescent-Black/dp/B002CYW6GI On an actual trip I will also use a mercury vapor lamp, but I don't usually feel like making my neighbors feel like I'm melting the paint off their houses so I leave that one off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markelangelo Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Haha! Thanks guys! I'm going to head over to Lowes to see what I can find today, my sister and I might end up heading to Arizona and I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to pick up some neat critters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markelangelo Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Hey, what do you guys use as power sources? So far it seems my options are a car battery with converter, or a gas generator. Is there anything small, quality and cheap? Usually you only get to pick two of those options though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarvaHunter Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 You can power a black light with a small 12volt battery and high voltage air core transformer. Like a single transistor solid state tesla coil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markelangelo Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Are there any good instructions on how to make one? Simplest is best! One website I looked at showed how you could wirelessly power fluorescent bulbs with one! http://www.instructables.com/id/building-the-poor-mans-mini-tesla-coil-slayer-exc/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarvaHunter Posted August 31, 2013 Report Share Posted August 31, 2013 Yes, on the Internet the slayer exciter circuit (SEC) was supposed to have been created by a Dr.Stiffler. The circuit was around long before Dr. Stiffler claimed to invent it. It is like a flyback or ignition coil driver with one transistor, only it uses an aircore secondary with a primary like a tesla coil. The one on instructables is pretty weak. Look for a schematic that uses a 2n3055 which handles much more current. You only need 1 diode though, and for size and efficiency, it is important to have a tertiary coil connected to the secondary. Remember to tune the primary to the secondary and load (uv tube) and have it run off a small 12 volt battery. I'm working on one now it works very well, I still need to tune it more and add a topload. I can't wait till I can hike it through major woods and set it up with a white sheet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Clausen Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 I used to use a deep cell solar car battery or a race car battery that would power my UV lights and Mercury vapor for about 5 hours, but I've since converted my setup to run off a Honda eu2000i generator. Sometimes I take it with me to Arizona but when I fly it costs about $26 to ship it back and forth via UPS and then it's a pain in the butt to drain it of gas and oil each time and find proper places to dispose of these liquids. Generators have to ship "dry". Renting a generator in the area you plan to collect in may be your cheapest and easiest option. But you still need the lights. Sometimes you can find places that have plug ins for your lights. Renting a cabin in Madera Canyon can be pretty cheap and then you just set the lights up on extension cords. I didn't try it during my two trips to it this year, but the campground down at Pena Blanca Lake has a light pole with an outlet on it. It used to have power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarvaHunter Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 I guess it comes down to how many watts of power you need for the amount of lumens you want. And how loud or heavy you want your setup to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markelangelo Posted September 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 Thanks for all the info guys! I'm looking for small light and const effective, so I will probably have to get a little less light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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