12-LED 370nm UV
LED FLASHLIGHT

12-LED 370nm UV LED Flashlight, retail $19.99 (http://store.advancedmart.com...)
Manufactured by (Unknown) for Advancedmart (www.AdvancedMart.com)
Last updated 05-15-07




This unnamed flashlight is an aluminum-bodied light that has 12 UVA (advertised as 370nm) LEDs in the end, powered by a single AA cell in the barrel.

This is - by far - the shortest wavelength multi-LED flashlight I have encountered to date (09-21-06).

Because it is powered by a single AA cell, there is a DC-DC inverter inside to boost the 1.5 volts from the battery to the 3.6 to 4.0 volts the LEDs need.


SIZE



Getting this light to work is as easy as turning the head clockwise (as if tightening it) until it lights up; turn it the other way to turn the LEDs back off.

This unit has a LOTC (Lock Out Tail Cap) feature, to help prevent the unit from activating during storage or transport. To engage the LOTC, turn the tailcap ¼ of a turn counterclockwise (as if loosening it) from the fully tightened position. Turn the tailcap ¼ of a turn clockwise (as though tightening it) to allow for normal operation.

(Update 09-23-06):
You can also screw the bezel (head) fully on, and use the tailcap as the switch by turning it clockwise (for on) and counterclockwise (for off).

(Update 09-27-06):
If you're using the tailcap as the switch, you can adjust it in such a way where you can hold the flashlight like a "siggeret" (holding it between your index & middle fingers), press on the tailcap for on, and release the tailcap for off.



To change the battery in this flashlight, unscrew and remove the tailcap, dash it to the ground, and stomp on it with spiked golf shoes...O WAIT!!! YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! So just set it aside instead.

Tip the open end of the barrel into your hand, and dispose of or recycle as you see fit the used AA cell that comes out.

Slide a new AA cell into the barrel, flat-end (-) negative first, and screw the tailcap back on.
Aren't you glad you didn't stomp on that tailcap now?

Note that the AA cell is installed negative first - this is opposite of how the batteries are installed in most other flashlights, so pay attention to polarity here.

Measures 174mA on my DMM's 4A scale.



I beat the living tweedle out of it (gave it ten firm whacks against the concrete floor of a patio; five whacks against the side of the tailcap and five whacks against the side of the bezel), and found the expected damage. There is some VERY minor gouging to the bare Metaletemon - er - the bare Metalgarurumon - um that's not it either...the bare Metalseadramon...er...uh...wait a sec here...THE BARE METAL (guess I've been watching too much Digimon again! ) on the sides of the tailcap and bezel where it was struck. No optical or electrical malfunctions were detected. It still works as well now as it did when I received it yesterday afternoon.

This flashlight is splash- and weather-resistant at absolute maximum, but it is not submersible. It failed "The Suction Test" rather miserably. So please try not to drop it in creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, oceansides, docksides, puddles of white rat pee, slush piles, mud puddles, tubs, toilet bowls, cisterns, sinks, fishtanks, dog water dishes, or other places where water or water-like liquids might be found. A little rain or snow probably wouldn't hurt it though, so you need not be too concerned about using it in lightly bad weather.

If it fell in water and you suspect it got flooded, disassemble it as you would for a battery change, unscrew and remove the bezel (head), dump the water out of the barrel and bezel if necessary, and set the parts in a warm dry place for a day or so just to be sure it's completely dry inside before you reassemble and use it again.

If it fell into seawater or if somebody or something peed on it, douche all the parts out with fresh water before setting them out to dry. You don't want your flashlight to smell like seashells or urine when you go to use it next. Besides, salt (from seawater or pee) can't be very good for the insides.

There is some longitudinal fluting on the bezel, barrel, and and tailcap, so retention (the ability to hold onto the flashlight when your hands are cold, wet, or oily) shouldn't be much of an issue.

The peak wavelength advertised is 370nm; this was spectrographically measured at approximately 382nm; while this wavelength is longer than advertised, this is STILL the shortest wavelength multiple-LED light in existance today (late-summer 2006) - that I know of anyway.

[[BEGIN SERMON MODE]]
I must emphasize, protect your eyeballs when using this light. You only get one set of eyes - and if you wreck them, you can't just go down to the local seven-eleven and buy a can of them.
Here is one simple way you can do this:

Most sunglasses and some prescription eyeglasses have some degree of UV protection already; to determine if yours do or not, aim the flashlight at something that clearly fluoresces (such as those neon green & orange stickers that occasionally show up on your mail, day-glow orange price tags, or painted portions of a blacklight poster), positioning the light so the object in front of it glows (fluoresces) brightly from the ultraviolet light. Then put the glasses between the face of the light and the target. If the glow stops or dims dramatically, the glasses are stopping the UV and you can use them as eye protection at least for short-term use.
However, if the glow remains or dims only slightly, look for another pair.

In any case, never look directly at the LEDs without eye protection - not even for a minute.

Symptoms of UV exposure may not appear immediately; they can be delayed by 30 minutes to several hours. They can include a burning or "sand in the eyes" sensation, and a hazy look around light bulbs and other bright objects. Mild cases are self-correcting within 24 to 36 hours; however if despite my warnings you still stared at this light from close range for more than a few minutes, it might not be a bad idea to see an eye doctor and tell him you've been exposed to UVA radiation.

DISCLAIMER: I shall not be held responsible for any damage or loss of eyesight arising from your use or misuse of the information on this page. Thank you for listening.
[[END SERMON MODE]]

I do not have the necessary instrumentation to measure the output power of an array of UV LEDs like this (the front of this light far exceeds the size of the sensors at my disposal that might be appropriate for the wavelength involved), but I'd "guesstimate" the total radiated output power at between 12mW and 24mW (1-2mW per LED).

The part number for this light is: SK-A201

The LEDs have their bond wires ("whiskers") attached at their flat sides, not their corners. So I know for a fact that Nichia does not make them. I do not know who does, so please stop asking.



Beam photograph on the test target at 12".
There was some fluorescence from the target, but it was rather minor.
Wavelength is too short for me to measure intensity.



Photograph of some Garrity Fun-Tastick Glow Wands
fluorescing (glowing) in this product's 370nm UVA radiation.




The security strip in a US $20 bill fluorescing.



Security features in an ID card and a Visa debit card fluorescing.



Plastic hummingbird from a set of Hummingbird Wind Chimes glowing.
The hummingbird shown is the transparent light blue one.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the LEDs in this flashlight.
Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from TWO-CUBED.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was sent by J.W. of AdvancedMart, and was received on the afternoon of 09-20-06.


UPDATE: 09-28-06
Every night at 6:00pm PT, it's my unofficial job to clean out the plastic cat toilet (litterbox); tonight I used this flashlight on the clumps of cat piss to see if they glowed. They did not, so the clumping cat litter used in the cat box must be doing something to the pee to stifle any fluorescence.


PROS:
Wavelength is close to the wavelength advertised
Easily one of the shortest wavelength 12-LED UV LED flashlights available
Uses batteries that are common & relatively inexpensive


CONS:
Not waterproof or submersible


    MANUFACTURER: Unknown
    PRODUCT TYPE: UVA LED Flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: 5mm LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 12
    BEAM TYPE: Medium spot w/dim corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Twist bezel on/off
    CASE MATERIAL: Metal
    BEZEL: Metal; LEDs inset into hosels for them
    BATTERY: 1xAA cell
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 174mA
    WATER RESISTANT: Light splatter-resistance at maximum
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: 1xAA cell, short lanyard
    WARRANTY: 90 days

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





12-LED 370nm UV LED Flashlight * http://store.advancedmart.com...






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