Is this a UV or moonlight?

fatoldsun · 08/14/2012, 09:04 AM

I bought some LEDs from someone else’s build - they were sold to me as UV purchased from Rapid. When I received them I questioned him because to me they look like the “moonlight” LEDs Rapid sells. He (seller) told me they were sold to him as part of a package that included 6 UVs. Does anyone have this style sold as UV? i checked with my tester but to the naked eye, there's no way I could tell. I need 4 moonlights and 6 UVs for my layout and I want to make sure that I order the right stuff on my next/final Rapid order. I have a picture of one of them – it’s from my cell camera so it’s hard to see clearly but at least on the site the UVs appear to be on white stars and the moonlights look to be the only ones I’ve seen that have the raised white diode puck like in my pic on a black star. i could use my wife's camera if a clearer pic would help but if the start color and the diode puck are definitive then this may be enough for an answer. Anybody’s experience would be great.
Thanks

Here’s the pic:

Rapid LED · 08/14/2012, 09:06 AM

Our old UV's did look like the moonlights, they have the larger bubble like the moonlights do. You can also wire up two AA batteries (or get something like this from Radio Shack: http://www.rapidled.com/led-testers/) and the color difference will be quite obvious. The moonlights are a deep blue while the UV's are a light purple and appear dimmer than the other LEDs will.

fatoldsun · 08/14/2012, 09:26 AM

Ok, thanks - I've asked him when he ordered them so maybe that will help. I have one of yoru testers from my initial order. Just decided to add some other colors. When I used the tester I couldn't tell what shade of blue/purple they were. They did seem dimmer than my others. I'll compare some tonight. I don't have the moons yet to compare to those so I guess if they appear dimmer than say, royal blue, I'll assume they are UV. Thanks

Rapid LED · 08/14/2012, 01:56 PM

That's right, if in doubt I'm going to say they're UV's because the royal blue's are very obviously blue.

fatoldsun · 08/14/2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid LED

That's right, if in doubt I'm going to say they're UV's because the royal blue's are very obviously blue.

Thanks...
Part of my issue is that I'm pretty much color blind, expecially with blues and browns so there's practically no chance I could differentiate between a royal blue and a purple by just looking at a lit bulb. If I use the tester, can I be confident that if the light I'm testing is dimmer than a royal blue then it's a UV and if it's the same or brighter then it's a moonlight?

I had another unrelated question - on the chance that you see this it will save a call - are the screws that come with the tapped heatsinks nylon?

Rapid LED · 08/16/2012, 09:47 AM

Yes, the royal blue's are a lot brighter than the UVs (to me anyways).

The screws are zinc however we have now started including nylon washers with all our drilled/tapped heatsinks.

fatoldsun · 08/17/2012, 09:46 AM

thanks - I heard from the folks "in the office" about the zink and nylon washers - got an email from "Mike". I found a source for cheap nylon M3 pan head screws so if I want to go that route I'd be all set. right now my issue is that the heatsinks are on backorder so I'm in a holding pattern unless I go in another direction for those - that reminds me - I should email Rapid (Mike, unless you're Mike...) back and see if there's a date yet....

cisowskia · 09/02/2012, 10:34 AM

It had me confused in the beginning as well but they are most definitely different. The UVs add such great color and the pre wired ballasts are great with them as well. The new UVs dont have the bubble on the top so optics are available now!

08/14/2012, 09:04 AM	#1
fatoldsun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 443	Is this a UV or moonlight? I bought some LEDs from someone else’s build - they were sold to me as UV purchased from Rapid. When I received them I questioned him because to me they look like the “moonlight” LEDs Rapid sells. He (seller) told me they were sold to him as part of a package that included 6 UVs. Does anyone have this style sold as UV? i checked with my tester but to the naked eye, there's no way I could tell. I need 4 moonlights and 6 UVs for my layout and I want to make sure that I order the right stuff on my next/final Rapid order. I have a picture of one of them – it’s from my cell camera so it’s hard to see clearly but at least on the site the UVs appear to be on white stars and the moonlights look to be the only ones I’ve seen that have the raised white diode puck like in my pic on a black star. i could use my wife's camera if a clearer pic would help but if the start color and the diode puck are definitive then this may be enough for an answer. Anybody’s experience would be great. Thanks Here’s the pic:

08/14/2012, 09:06 AM	#2
Rapid LED RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,589	Our old UV's did look like the moonlights, they have the larger bubble like the moonlights do. You can also wire up two AA batteries (or get something like this from Radio Shack: http://www.rapidled.com/led-testers/) and the color difference will be quite obvious. The moonlights are a deep blue while the UV's are a light purple and appear dimmer than the other LEDs will.

08/14/2012, 09:26 AM	#3
fatoldsun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 443	Ok, thanks - I've asked him when he ordered them so maybe that will help. I have one of yoru testers from my initial order. Just decided to add some other colors. When I used the tester I couldn't tell what shade of blue/purple they were. They did seem dimmer than my others. I'll compare some tonight. I don't have the moons yet to compare to those so I guess if they appear dimmer than say, royal blue, I'll assume they are UV. Thanks

08/14/2012, 01:56 PM	#4
Rapid LED RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,589	That's right, if in doubt I'm going to say they're UV's because the royal blue's are very obviously blue.

08/16/2012, 09:47 AM	#6
Rapid LED RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,589	Yes, the royal blue's are a lot brighter than the UVs (to me anyways). The screws are zinc however we have now started including nylon washers with all our drilled/tapped heatsinks.

08/17/2012, 09:46 AM	#7
fatoldsun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 443	thanks - I heard from the folks "in the office" about the zink and nylon washers - got an email from "Mike". I found a source for cheap nylon M3 pan head screws so if I want to go that route I'd be all set. right now my issue is that the heatsinks are on backorder so I'm in a holding pattern unless I go in another direction for those - that reminds me - I should email Rapid (Mike, unless you're Mike...) back and see if there's a date yet....

09/02/2012, 10:34 AM	#8
cisowskia Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Greensburg PA Posts: 59	It had me confused in the beginning as well but they are most definitely different. The UVs add such great color and the pre wired ballasts are great with them as well. The new UVs dont have the bubble on the top so optics are available now!