UV LEDs for TRON stick..ideas?

[Frostillicus]

The original TRON arcade used a blacklight to get that cool glowing effect, right? I'd like to try to duplicate it as much as possible without putting a huge fixture near my CP.

Anyone with the blue tron stick ever put UV LED's in the top, right behind the little 'TRON' sign insert?  I thought of regular LED's but seems like UV would make a more even glow - this is after a little experimenting with a little flashlight and a little 6" blacklite from wal-mart, the UV light diffused better.  And if they were put behind the little insert facing away from you or down, that would be safe I think.

I'm gonna pick up some LED's from superbrightleds.com, but just looking for input.  Anyone ever try this?

[1UP]

The problem with this is that, as far as I know, UV LEDs emit invisible UV light (the same way that IR light from the LEDs in remotes are invisible to the naked eye.)  Blacklights emit visible near-UV light, thus the visible purple glow.  I'm no expert, but I believe that UV LEDs would not create the neon-glow effect that you want.  But you might attract some nice glowy insects to your panel!  j/k...

[Frostillicus]

The problem with this is that, as far as I know, UV LEDs emit invisible UV light (the same way that IR light from the LEDs in remotes are invisible to the naked eye.)  Blacklights emit visible near-UV light, thus the visible purple glow.  I'm no expert, but I believe that UV LEDs would not create the neon-glow effect that you want.  But you might attract some nice glowy insects to your panel!  j/k...

Oh, good point  1UP - I see the distinction but seems like some websites are using the terms to mean both.  HERE is a description of one of the UV LED's from superbrightleds.com.  It says it will light posters, think this would work for the stick?

[planetjay]

UV also looks good under standard traslucent buttons and trackballs. I've tried it.

[1UP]

Well, if they specify that they are visible, I guess they would work.  But another thing -- UV light will fade inks faster than white light.  I would also be careful with aiming them toward your face,  which is really the best way to get the sticks as bright as possible.  Look at the warning at the bottom of their page!  I personally wouldn't want to get cataracts, or melanomas on my palms just for the sake of a pretty panel...

[Frostillicus]

Hmmm....I ordered 4 UV led's (I'll prob kill 1 by accident) and will try just one or two behind the little insert(seems like there's a lot of room up there for one).  I figure 1 might be okay, but 4 might be pushing it safety wise.  I don't want to re-print my CP in 6 months due to fading ink- and I don't want to damage my eyes.  I also got white LEDS they'll prob work fine, too.  And be a little safer. Decisions decisions.  

Thanks for the help guys  

[Smittydc]

Frostillicus,

I'd recommend a UV cold-cathode light for what you want.  They are fairly compact, easily mountable, and connect right into your power supply.  Most of the UV LEDs are very directional and probably won't give you as good an effect.  You can order the cold cathodes from a lot of computer mod stores online.

So far as the effect goes, you might want to retrace the lines you are trying to make glow with fluorescent or phosphorescent paint to give it some BANG!  

some general info on how black lights work is at:
http://wolfstone.halloweenhost.com/TechBase/blttip_BlackLightTips.html