Thread: Disappointed with black lights.

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I bought a bunch of incandescent black light bulbs and boy do they suck! I will break down and buy some powerful fluorescent ones.

But I have a question. Do the red incandescent suck as well or are they okay?

Incandescent so-called "black light" bulbs are nothing more than colored glass. They lack the ultraviolet light waves to cause luminescence. Plus, incandescent "black light" bulbs block nearly all the light energy generated by the filament and therefore they get 2-3 times hotter than a regular lightbulb. I for one feel that they should be abolished altogether as a safety hazard. Very very dangerous.

Go to WalMart and get their fluorescent black lights that are the ones for $9.99. They are half the price you can get them anywhere else. And they're the real thing.

They do sell bulbs that are good at spirit. They are 2 u shaped bulbs and they screw into a socket. Maybe 9.99 each. Also the blacklight LED bulb is amazing Just search ebay for blacklight, LED, screw and you can pick up 2 60LED par20's for 35 bucks. Amazing output again screw based, or go for the long bulbs, your choice.

Wow...thanks for the info.
What is a good, yet cheap, way to easily create good spooky indoor lighting for a Halloween Party?

I agree those bulbs get VERY VERY HOT!!!!! I get a 8 dollar shoplight fixture from lowes and get two black light bulbs from them also. Works like a charm! I believe the bulbs are 40 watts and $12 each but worth it.

get the twisted compact energy saver (energy star) black light bulbs , hardware store should have them with a bunch of other colored ones too.... these little bulbs glow ALOT and do not come very very hot like the regular incendecent bulbs either .....i use one in each my windows to light up ghosts and i use one outside to light my Flying crank ghost in a flood light socket that i have water proofed with a 2 littre bottle over it .....

I saw the compact florescent colored bulbs (including black light) at my local Menards for $7.99 a piece just a couple of days ago. Best price I have seen for them.

-Handy_Haunter

if buying new, consider LEDs. but yea, good ol shop lights with two 4' fluor bulbs is the way to throw some UV around.

these fluor fixtures do not like the weather, so cover em good each night after a liberal cool down period.

But do keep even these away from people and flammables. They still get plenty hot, but yes - those incandesents should be abolished.

Compact fluorescent bulbs at Home Depot for $4.98 each including the blacklight bulb. These all do an excellent job!!!

How much you want to spend? I know a place where you can get 400 watt fixture with bulb for $127. It is the one I use, I actually have 2 but it is to much so I just use one. One of them will cover 60 ft, so more then enough.