Protecting Backglasses from Fluorescent Lamp Backlight Damage

Chris Hibler

unread,

Sep 8, 2010, 11:15:03 PM9/8/10

to

Good evening Ladies....

I need some advice.

I have three games, a Williams Upper Deck Pitch and Bat, a Taito Ice
Cold Beer, and a Centipede upright vid, that all have fluorescent
tubes that backlight glass. The ICB and the original Upper Deck BG are
damaged, I believe, due to light exposure from the fluorescent tubes.
Fortunately, Shay made a beautiful replacement for the Upper Deck
glass. And, my Centipede marquee is perfect.

Now the question...is there some kind of "filter" I can place around
the fluorescent tube that will prevent future damage?

I know that they won't be exposed to the same degree as originally in
the arcade, but I'd still like to investigate this.

Thanks for the help!
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm

Hans

unread,

Sep 8, 2010, 11:34:38 PM9/8/10

to

They do make UV protectant film for home windows and such, Lowes and
Home Depot carry them. Since it would go behind the backglass, I
don't see any reason to apply it TO the backglass, you could probably
just lay it in there loose or taped in place somehow. the biggest
drawback I can see though is that it may significantly dim the
backglass.

-Hans

JazzGuevara

unread,

Sep 8, 2010, 11:42:17 PM9/8/10

to

I always wondered the same thing about sega games and its fluorescent
backlights, same goes for some game rooms where they use black lights
that has increased uv levels.

Big12bus

unread,

Sep 8, 2010, 11:55:24 PM9/8/10

to

Chris, You really need a filter that cuts off everything below
400nm. Anything below that you cannot see plus it is harmful. Really
provides no use. I don't know what is available. Typically a lamp
will put out power below 400 but it rolls off quickly. Sometimes you
can get peaks that are below this that do damage. I am going to ask a
couple of our UV experts at work this question. I have an engineer,
that works for me, who will know this answer.

Bill

Hans

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 12:05:24 AM9/9/10

to

Just to throw another thought out there...... maybe look into some of
the aquarium bulbs, see if they have higher light frequencies to them
that are out of the UV range?

-Hans

flippy

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 1:28:51 AM9/9/10

to

What size bulbs are they?
Google is your friend :)

http://www.gaylord.com/adblock.asp?abid=2424

http://www.ergomart.com/FLUORESCENT_LIGHT_FILTERS/filters.htm

http://www.pegasusassociates.com/products/UVFilters/UVfilter.html

http://www.uvprocess.com/product.asp?code=FILTER+++I

"Chris Hibler" <ch...@Team-EM.com> wrote in message
news:b8a56716-425c-4caf...@j30g2000vbr.googlegroups.com...

Ron Lyons

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 1:32:21 AM9/9/10

to

Can't comment on the pinball machines, but I've had a lot of
Centipedes over the years; the marquees were done very nicely, I've
never had one with any issues. So I don't feel the flourescent tube
damages them. Other games, yes.

Mark Clayton

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 1:43:56 AM9/9/10

to

Cinegel #3114 is a theatrical gel (filter) that blocks 90%
below 390 nm, per layer. It's available in sheets or rolls.

http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/cinegel.cfm

I use two sheets of 1/2 CTO in my fluorescent tube
warming filters. These cut UV somewhat, but the dedicated
UV filters do a more effective job and don't change (warm)
the colors as much.

-Mark
-----
http://pinballpal.com

frenchy

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 6:13:35 AM9/9/10

to

Wonder if the various alternative hued tubes make a difference in how
much UV they put out, like the warmer 2700K tubes? I use those on my
Sterns as I'm way more concerned with having nice incandescent colors
show up than any potential UV rays. But a filter added that wouldn't
change the color on those would be nice.

Kerry Imming

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 12:45:39 PM9/9/10

to

On Sep 8, 10:15 pm, Chris Hibler <ch...@Team-EM.com> wrote:
>

> Now the question...is there some kind of "filter" I can place around
> the fluorescent tube that will prevent future damage?
>

Have you looked at LED replacement options? I was wondering if
someone made these, and a quick check turned up one option at least:
http://www.creativelightings.com/LED-T8-Tube-Light-2-foot-180LED-8W-p/cl-ledt8-2-ww8w180.htm

I'm not sure if that's the right size, but maybe there is one that
would work.

- Kerry

Josh A.

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 12:59:24 PM9/9/10

to

On Sep 8, 9:15 pm, Chris Hibler <ch...@Team-EM.com> wrote:
> The ICB and the original Upper Deck BG are damaged,
> I believe, due to light exposure from the fluorescent tubes.

Interesting. I have had four Taito ICB's, and none of their
backglasses have ever shown evidence of UV fading or, if they have, it
must have been pretty subtle.

Hans

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 1:54:28 PM9/9/10

to

There is a big difference in the UV output according to the phosphor
mixtures in the bulbs.
The trouble is that I haven't gotten enough spectrum charts together
to really see a trend yet.
Charts can be hard to find, Some manufacturers have them but some
don't.

-Hans

barakandl

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 1:59:30 PM9/9/10

to

What about the bally 6803 games with the circle style fluorescent bulb
and painting back glasses. My only 6803 game does not have any
damage.

Big12bus

unread,

Sep 9, 2010, 2:36:37 PM9/9/10

to

You cannot trust mfg. data on UV. Like everything so many variables
and they are always worse then stated. Trust me I measure this stuff
everyday. It is all BS....

Bill

warp9pinball

unread,

Jan 18, 2011, 1:11:04 AM1/18/11

to

Check out this LED Marquee/Backglass light...

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=307

I've used their old style (single row) and they are quite bright.