UV Tubes

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Hi all,
I have access to small 150mm long UV tubes that are used in hand held scanners during elections. I want to use them to make PCBs ie develop the photoresist. Anyone know of a circuit to drive these things?
Marking on the tube is :
PHILIPS TL4W/08
F4T5BLB

DieterD
 
Hi Dieter

All flourescent tubes are basically the same, electrically, the only difference being the phosphors used to line the tube.

Because of this by the time you have bought and assembled all the components, it would probably cost more than going to an electrical wholesaler and just buying the fitting. In the UK, I can buy 8-15W 150mm fittings for about £6. Just look for bathroom mirror lights or under cabinet worktop light fittings. You could even buy one of the car accessory torches that run off the cigarette lighter and have a fluo tube in them.

Good Hunting
 
Good point, I managed to find a hand held one that uses 4 x 1.5 penlight batteries, I opened it and as you say, its not really worth trying to copy the board inside, I will now go and search for the right thing.
Thanks for the lateral thoughts.

DieterD
 
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