Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Technical Area => Topic started by: DarthNuno on September 21, 2014, 07:01:32 PM

Title: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: DarthNuno on September 21, 2014, 07:01:32 PM
Well, I don't really figure out which fluorescent tube to use behind the moon. I tried a usual black light (tube colored in blue), but it looks that it's not power enough to light as it should the amazing galaxies cardboard landscape.  :-\
I've seen on various sites/boards that the thing to use would be the "White" Black Light (tube colored in white), but can't find where to buy this. Any alternative or 'European B plan' for this?
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Q*ris on September 21, 2014, 10:36:32 PM
You need a white black light.
The tube has to be white.
I heard you can find it in places where they sell snakes and lizards and this kind of creepy things.
I bought my spares on ebay a long tiem ago if I remember correctly, I'll take a picture of these ones or you tomorrow.
Some additional infos on this page and the next one:
https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=3541.30 (https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=3541.30)

The original in my Taito SI looks like this:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/~chrischris/arcade/my_spaceinvaders/L1190815_web.jpg)
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Capt. Kirk on September 22, 2014, 11:26:29 AM
Thanks ChrisChris for the hint with the 'white' blacklight.
We've just finished our work on the Datsun ZZZap 280 (Midway 8080-System) and discovered the same. Too faint lighting of the backdrop. We've got a (wrong) dark blue tube installed.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Laszo on September 23, 2014, 12:48:43 AM
You are looking for a UV A tube. It can be bought online or taken from your wives face tanning machine.

Do not use UV B or UV C the last one  will burn your eyes out.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Q*ris on September 23, 2014, 07:23:07 AM
More text info (from BrentRadio) because I forgot to take a picture yesterday  :oops: :
The light is a 15 watt black light fluorescent tube with white glass. It is tubular shaped with a glass diameter of 1 inch, a G13 base and an overall length of 18 inches. It is rated at 7,500 life hours.

General Electric F15T8-BL

The BL Stands For Black Light

It's also known as a "White" Black Light.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Luigi on September 23, 2014, 08:15:31 AM
We met in the hall yesterday and we were looking at the Datsun Zap ;D when Dirk told me more about the blacklight it suddenly made 'click' in my head and I remembered that I once bought two white blacklight tubes when we were doing ourt Space Invaders. Short dig in the box with the tubes and BINGO :)

Huge difference to the dark tube.

The only thing is that now you can see the tube in the mirror....

I forgot to note the brand and type we can find out if necessary.

Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: DarthNuno on September 23, 2014, 01:55:36 PM
Thanks guys  :-*

I'll pay first a visit to some pets shops with the hope to find some kind of these (the ones used to light aquariums), possibly few 'experiments' also...dunno...  ;)
If I can't find anything that do the trick, I'll order the one referenced by ChrisChris in US :

General Electric F15T8-BL

...no shop in Europe may have them, or equivalent?
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Q*ris on September 24, 2014, 12:01:19 PM
Hold on Bruno, I'll take pics tonight of the replacement ones I found on ebay.
Sorry for the delay :/
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Q*ris on September 24, 2014, 12:07:49 PM
Here, no need for pic 'cause I found the ebay add again!
Same seller I bought from.
Eiko F15T8/BL 15526 15W Black Light Lamp UVA T-8 G13 Base Eiko F15T8BL (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eiko-F15T8-BL-15526-15W-Black-Light-Lamp-UVA-T-8-G13-Base-Eiko-F15T8BL-/350534589089?pt=US_DJ_Lighting_Single_Units&hash=item519d7d5aa1)
(yes it's from the US too)
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: DarthNuno on September 24, 2014, 12:27:44 PM
Hold on Bruno, I'll take pics tonight of the replacement ones I found on ebay.
Sorry for the delay :/

Too l8te!  ;D
I bought yesterday an 'aquarium' one... will try it, and if not working as expecting, I will change for the one you referenced.  :P
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Q*ris on September 24, 2014, 12:31:31 PM
 :oops:
As long as the tube doesn't look blue it should be fine.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: ripperman on September 24, 2014, 12:45:19 PM
I'm actually at this point in my SI restore as well.

Do you guys think the following looks ok too?

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/2x-15W-Ultra-Violet-Replacement-Black-Light-Tubes-F15-T5-368BL-Fly-Bug-Killer-/360934478474?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&hash=item54095f128a

I know its 12" and should be 15" ideally?

Sorry for asking in your thread Bruno but thought it might be easier to do so here once there's a topic open? :)

Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Q*ris on September 24, 2014, 12:49:30 PM
Yes these lights are also used to kill bugs.
The lighting will be OK imho but as you said the dimensions are wrong.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: ripperman on September 24, 2014, 12:54:24 PM
Ok cool. Thanks chrischris.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on September 24, 2014, 01:13:57 PM
i dont think the light kills the bugs, it attracts the bugs right ?
a device behind it kills them
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Q*ris on September 24, 2014, 02:50:41 PM
exactly.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: DarthNuno on September 27, 2014, 11:49:22 PM
Still in the 'lightning' stuff, what are the 5 or 6 bulbs used to light the SI 'marquee'? I mean what is the voltage used for them? 5v ? 3,5v ?
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: nilfisk on September 28, 2014, 04:37:30 PM
Still in the 'lightning' stuff, what are the 5 or 6 bulbs used to light the SI 'marquee'? I mean what is the voltage used for them? 5v ? 3,5v ?

KLOV says these are 14v #1895 / #57's :

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=136659

A quick google search even reveals some drop-in LED based replacement bulbs, which I'd definitely use (less heat - less marquee flaking):

http://www.martekled.com/-strse-188/Miniature-bayonet-LED-lamp/Detail.bok

Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: DarthNuno on September 28, 2014, 06:29:26 PM
Thanks. But I won't use these running @ 14V. I'll find something like 5 or 12V instead. I'll have a look at in a car shop...
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: nilfisk on September 28, 2014, 07:25:36 PM
12V ones may be easy to find, but they will produce a considerable amount of heat when run at 14v, as in your case. I wouldn't do that.
Title: Re: Space Invaders ...black light question?
Post by: Laszo on September 28, 2014, 11:04:57 PM
Read this to understand black light.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_light (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_light)