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Hi Elton,
Here are a few things I've come across working with glow-in-the-dark
exhibits.
It may be that your strobe lamps are overheating. I'm not familiar
with the model you are using, but some strobes are not designed to
run continuously. Adding a cooling fan might help. Using
incandescent lamps, as you have discovered, is a viable option. The
NY Hall of Science used 150 Watt flood lamps turned on for about 1
second in a small installation many years ago. These lamps have long
life and are inexpensive. I'm guessing that your shadow room is
larger if you are using 800 Watt lamps. You can try moving the
lights closer to the wall, if possible - the inverse square law says
that having the light at half the distance makes it 4 times brighter.
You need to be careful with the phosphor you use. Years ago, there
was only one choice - light green vinyl sheets or paint formulated
with Zinc Sulfide. Hanovia is the usual supplier:
http://www.hanovia-uv.com/glow.html
Today, there are "high performance" products available based on
Strontium Aluminate. These come in other colors as well. They do
glow more brightly, but take more light to energize and also have
longer persistence. They can keep a safety sign lit for hours, but
that makes them a bad bet for you. For shadow walls and
LightWriters, the old zinc sulfide standby is still the best choice.
I recommend a product from Abet Lumanati called Lumiphos. It's a
high pressure laminate, much more durable than paint or vinyl - black
heel scuffs can be scrubbed off! - and it glows almost as well as
Hanovia:
http://www.abet-laminati.it/primapagina/main.asp?inglese=1
Abet is an Italian company. Here's a link to their US distributors:
http://www.abet-laminati.it/primapagina/main.asp?inglese=1
For best effect, shield the shadow room from all ambient light with
curtains or a labyrinthian entry. It's not dangerous or scary, since
the room won't be totally dark with the wall glowing.
Happy glowing,
Tom Nielsen
The Exhibit Guys Inc.
On Nov 15, 2006, at 8:30 AM, Elton K Prater wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> **********************************************************************
> *******
>
> Hi. I have a question/ need advice regarding one of our exhibits.
> We have been having problems with our "Captured Shadows" exhibit
> (i.e. phosphorescent wall and strobe). It is extremely dim. We have
> replaced the phosphor, and tried new strobes (2 each 800w American
> DJ MegaFlashs). Worked good for a couple weeks but then the strobes
> look like they are much dimmer than they originally were. We are
> experimenting with using a video camera light (800 w) instead of
> the strobes and just having it turn on for a half second. Results
> look great, but I am worried about the intensity of the light as
> well as bulb life. Is there any kind of standard on how bright a
> light can be for something like this? It does leave you seeing
> spots for a little while.
> Has anyone had success using something other than the traditional
> strobes, or have any other suggestions?
>
> Thanks for your help.
> Elton
>
> --
> Elton K Prater [log in to unmask]
> Exhibits Manager Phone 806.745.2525 X 229
> Science Spectrum Fax 806.745.1115
> 2579 S Loop 289
> Suite 250
> Lubbock, TX 79423
>
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