Another worthy contribution from Bruce MacLeish on the RCAAM List 7/11`/2011
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From:
Bruce MacLeish <bruce@NEWPORTRESTORATION.ORG>
View ContactTo:RCAAM@SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU
George, I have followed this trail, in search of reasonably-priced meters. I’m afraid the Littlemore Scientific (Elsec) models were out of my league, but I have been using a couple of meters that might be of interest to you. I am not sure where my trusty (old) visible light meter came from, but <professionalequipment.com> carries quite an assortment, from under $100. I would probably aim for one of the Extech meters, at about $160. By the way, I can check the performance with my photographic light meter, a Gossen Luna Pro Digital and a conversion scale.
I have a separate UV meter, Mannix UV-340 (now General Tools UV513AB) which does a good job. If I had the money, I would upgrade to something a bit more elegant, but it’s a big leap to the next level, which seems to be about $700. There are a number of services which still calibrate the meter I have, so I will keep using it. And you are correct, just because you don’t have natural light does not mean that UV energy is not sneaking into your exhibit or storage areas somehow. If you don’t have the means of checking your light, how would you be sure? You might like the variety of meters on <valuetesters.com>
Good luck with your purchases.
Bruce
A. Bruce MacLeish
Director of Collections
Newport Restoration Foundation
51 Touro Street
Newport, RI 02840