USB Stuff

[Tony Duell]

> Many compact fluorescents use a 30-40Khz AC power source, so 
> stroboscopic effects may not be a problem unless your lathe's chuck 

But if the input to that inverter is not well smoothed (and the output 
not well regulated) there could still be significant mains-fequenct 
ripple on the output.

However, my second point (of the afterglow in the darkroom) rather 
suggests these lamps have long enough persistance phosphors for there not 
to be a significant strobe effect.

> rotates at a VERY high speed.   You can also make use of standard bi-pin 
> fluorescent lamps with a fixture that uses an active (high-frequency) 
> ballast. 
> 
> For your darkroom, you might want to look into the multiple-white-LED 
> mains-powered spotlights.  Ebay is full of sellers eager to unload them.

Hmmm.. Fromt what I rememeber, white LEDs depend on a phosphor in the 
package to get the white light (LED's being naturally a narrow-band 
device). I would worry about the persistance of that phosphor, I think.

I also can't see the point in changing. The energy wasted by keeping 
filament lamps in those positions is minimal IMHO (they're not on for 
that long or that often). 

-tony