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UV lighting

Discussion in 'Watercooling' started by DanH, 18 Jan 2021.

  1. DanH

    DanH What's a Dremel?

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    hello everyone i have finally managed to setup my watercooling loop but i cant seem to get the loop to glow. I am using the following dye in the loop i have used a lot of the dye in the loop more than hlf the bottle
    https://www.cclonline.com/product/2...t/XSPC-EC6-ReColour-Dye-30ml-UV-Navy/WAT0438/

    i have got this strip and it barely makes a difference when the strip is on next to the tubes
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07ZYW93V9/

    did i get the wrong dye or is the uv light no good i was thinking of getting cold cathode tubes but before i spend anymore money i thougt i will ask the experts

    thank you in advanced
     
  2. Midlight

    Midlight Minimodder

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    I would say the issue is most likely the LED strip. I'm guessing that it is just purple light with no UV in.
     
    Bloody_Pete likes this.
  3. DanH

    DanH What's a Dremel?

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    thanks is there any one you recommend do you have a link

    thanks
     
  4. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    UV blue is not very UV reactive. UV dark blue even more so. There was an attempt at UV black ages ago too. It wasn't very good at glowing either.
     
  5. Ending Credits

    Ending Credits Bunned

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    Does anyone have any recommendations for good UV green fluid?
     
  6. Dr. Coin

    Dr. Coin Multimodder

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    You could test the the UV LEDs with other UV sensitive materials. White fabric is always a classic, tonic water with quinine... er I struggling to think of other potential test objects. From the link you provided the UV LED string you purchased has an operational wavelength of 395–405 nm, which is the lower limit of UV and Upper limit of visible light. UVA is 315–400 nm), which is the range that black lights typical operate in. I am assuming that the LED is producing light over that entire range, rather than this being the range that it will generate light within. As such it will produce some UV but also some visible light that might be washing out the UV glow. Poking around 395–400 nm and 395–405 nm appear to be the most common ranges. I only found a couple items going as high as 365 nm. I excluded the UV sanitisers as they are UVC you you don't want to be using it to illuminate with. This all assumes that the product information is legit.

    Speaking of testing have you tested the dye out side of the loop. The tubing might be absorbing enough UV as to nullify the effect.

    UV Black just sounds like a joke. Let make this material glow black, but in light black is the absence of light... so its glowing with the absence of light‽
     
    Last edited: 22 Jan 2021
  7. VictorianBloke

    VictorianBloke Man in a box

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    Cat pee fluoresces under UV. Though that's only useful if you have a cat. And can't locate that stubborn odour...
     
  8. Dr. Coin

    Dr. Coin Multimodder

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    Yes several of the UV lights I looked at were advertised as pet urine detectors.
     
  9. Bloody_Pete

    Bloody_Pete Technophile

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    Most LEDs have an output curve and usually 70-90% will be in the target wavelengths, although this does depend on the LED.

    Speaking of glowing black things, black lightsabres...
     
  10. iggy

    iggy Minimodder

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    Try the liquid out of the loop. Some hosing is coated with a uv blocker.
     
  11. Ending Credits

    Ending Credits Bunned

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    Am I correct in understanding that you need to go with PETG tubing for UV?
     
  12. D23D

    D23D What's a Dremel?

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    Tonic water glows like crazy under a black light. Anyone who has been to a night club with black lights and ordered a dink would see this. As mentioned up thread, it's the quinine in the tonic water. I wonder just as a though experiment if that would work as a fluid if you let it go completely flat for a few days before filling up your rig.
     
  13. Midlight

    Midlight Minimodder

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    I believe there is other things in tonic water that would not play nicely with the internals of your loop.
     
  14. Omnislip

    Omnislip Minimodder

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    If you're feeling brave you could buy some pure quinine from e.g. a lab provider and chuck it in the loop! Could get pricey if it is somehow reactive with any of your components, though
     

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