Stanley Gibbons UV Lamp

Does anyone else have experience with the Stanley Gibbons UV lamp? I've had one for a year and find it frustrating. It works great once lit, but getting it to light takes a long time, at least one or two minutes, sometimes as much as five, pressing the on button all the while. New batteries makes no difference. Am I doing something wrong here?

Not familar with the particular unit you have. But generally all the flourescent black lights after being turned on with button should light fully after only a couple seconds. And if the button has to be held in order for it to light, it should only be for a couple of seconds at most. I have the handheld C$18 unit from unitrade that uses batteries and it lights in about 3 seconds after on switch is hit. Up to about 5 sec if batteries are getting low.

To be honest the best is the regular 18" flourescent goose neck desk lamp. Just get an 18" blaclk light lamp (long wave) like you buy for the flourescent posters or the UV bug lights for about C$8 and you can light up the whole desk and do a lot at once. And it saves buying expensive batteries.

Mike

The best and safest way to get and use a UV light is one specifically made for a certain wave length. A store bought "black light" will emit in both long- and short wave UV and everything in-between.
A UV lamp that takes a long time may have a bad or weak bulb

Peter

Thanks. I knew something wasn't right. The bulb itself isn't replaceable, however. This Stanley Gibbons model was expensive too. I'd like to try a UV bulb in a lamp fixture, but am not sure whether long or short wave would be best. I use UV only to detect the aniline inks that some countries (e.g., Britain colonies) used in some early issues (around 1900). Short wave or long?

Hmmm... How about LED Blacklight ?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013W6SJEM/

KirkS

Emaxim, what type , model # is the Gibbons one you have? Can you post photo? Probably an F4T5 BLB long wave flourescent tube. About $3.00 us. The F15t8 for a desklamp is about $10.

Mike

Thanks to both of you (Kirk S. & Mike). I will definitely try the long wave black light. Thanks also for the link. I don't need portability. I only inspect for aniline inks at home, so a desk lamp with the right bulb would be great. I'll try to scan my Stanley Gibbons UV lamp (long and short wave)and post it here for your info.
Eric

Here are two photos of the Stanley Gibbons UV Lamp that's been frustrating me by taking forever to illuminate. If a long wave black light will cause aniline inks to fluoresce, my problem will be solved. I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks to you both. This forum has immediately proved its value to me.
Eric

Bought a long wave (365nm) LED black light from Sunlite. Works great. Aniline inks glow a bright gold color under it (e.g., Southern Nigeria, Scott #22). So much easier, and so much cheaper than the Stanley Gibbons UV handheld that I had. Thanks again for steering me right.
Eric

It is just one more tool in the drawer for helping do the job, now you can do many at one time.