ProSoundWeb Community

Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => SR Forum Archives => Lighting FUD Forum Archive => Topic started by: Darrel Hayes on October 11, 2010, 11:37:23 AM

Title: Black lights
Post by: Darrel Hayes on October 11, 2010, 11:37:23 AM
I need a few blacklights for a small stage show.  Typically, I use 6 Floorbars w/ Blacklight fluorescents.  But, I have a request for 2 stand-mounted blacklights from the front.  I was considering the purchase of 2 American DJ Cannon Blacklight 400-watt fixtures.  I see that Chauvet makes a DMX LED Shadow Blacklight fixture.  Does anyone have experience with these units?  Total budget for 2 lights is approximately $300-$400.  Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: Silas Pradetto on October 11, 2010, 12:40:55 PM
You need these, obviously.

(Don't stand within 10 feet, you'll get sunburn)

Very Happy
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: Thomas Bishop on October 11, 2010, 01:15:26 PM
Are you looking to purchase or rent?  I guess that depends on how long the show runs, right?  If you're renting the Wildfires are nice.  I rented a pair to light a gymnasium and they did the job.  Before I decided on renting I was looking at buying the ADJ UV Canons but since I would only be using them once a year or so renting was the better option.  There are also some LED options out there.  If you need DMX control and instant on these are the only option, otherwise you'll have to wait a few minutes for the blacklight to heat up.  I put mine on a relay so I could at least control the on/off via DMX, just be careful not to dim it.
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: James Feenstra on October 11, 2010, 01:29:06 PM
they sell UV filters for par 64s...

i've used them before for some shows, although black lights to me have no place in rock and roll lol
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: John Strzalkowski on October 11, 2010, 03:24:14 PM
I use the ADJ UV Cannons. Just picked up another pair for this coming halloween week. Love the things, they put out some massive black light. 2 of them covered a rather large dance area that we were going for. Hung them about 20ft in the air to get ridiculous coverage.

Good:
Large area coverage from one point
"Brighter" output than most other fixtures / cost
Lamp costs are the same as cheaper fixtures
Isn't a flourescent tube


Bad:
Heavy (30+ lbs), so a good rig point is needed.
Less versatile (needs more room to fill out, whereas multiple less powerful fixtures can be evenly spaced)
Lamp must be special ordered most of the time, tubes can be found at any hardware store.
takes about 10 minutes to become fully "charged"


Old rumor that was told to me was that these mercury vapor lamps were used to light the white stripes on the runway for airplanes to see at night.
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: Darrel Hayes on October 11, 2010, 04:34:09 PM
These are for purchase for my rental stock.  Most of my work involves theatre rather than rock 'n' roll.  I have used and like the output of the ADJ Cannon but I am considering the Chauvet DMX/LED alternative.  I like the weight, DMX control, and the lower cost factors.  I am just concerned if 2 of these will adequately cover a small stage.
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: Fernando Lopez on October 11, 2010, 10:59:53 PM
The Chauvet Led shadow is a very nice light I have a pair and it is like a UV/Wash effect

I also own the Elation UV shadow whuch is a flourescent UV light

The Led Shadow is more fun to use and can cover a small space, I also use it for uplighting


This is a video that can help you decide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixrWSEr8fqU

Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: Darrel Hayes on October 31, 2010, 10:22:39 PM
Thanks for the suggestions.  I ended up purchasing 2 Elation UV Washes & mounted the fixtures on Ultimate tripods for the show.  These were added to my existing stock of UV floorbars.  Everyone involved was pleased with the coverage.  I even had a spare ATA case that fit the 2 UV Washes.

Another great show in the books!  
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: David R Allred on January 15, 2011, 03:32:12 PM
How much sqr footage do you think they covered?  (could cover?)
How high did yo get them?  Looking at getting some for a project.

Thanks,
David
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: Silas Pradetto on January 16, 2011, 07:29:12 PM
David R Allred wrote on Sat, 15 January 2011 15:32

How much sqr footage do you think they covered?  (could cover?)
How high did yo get them?  Looking at getting some for a project.

Thanks,
David


I have a pair of Elation UV Washes, and I'd say they can easily cover a 20x20 dancefloor, if you can get them up high (10 feet plus). Otherwise, they'll just be pointing at people's heads and not their clothes, which is missing the point.

This coverage is based on other lighting going at the same time as well...if you're just running the UV washes in the dark, you could cover a much larger area.
Title: Re: Black lights
Post by: Darrel Hayes on January 25, 2011, 02:18:16 PM
Silas is spot on.  It was almost as if he had set up for my job.