UV Dash Lights: Are They Safe?

[MrBigs63']

Hey guys I have been planning on changing the dash lights in my truck for a long time. The truck is blue and the interior lighting is green. I have always liked purple, and I think that a purple dash would look sick. I was looking at super bright and their only option for purple leds are labeled as "UV (Blacklight)". I was just wondering if these things would be safe to look at every time that I was in the vehicle at night. This may not be a big deal, but I was just wondering.

[SavantStrike]

Hey guys I have been planning on changing the dash lights in my truck for a long time. The truck is blue and the interior lighting is green. I have always liked purple, and I think that a purple dash would look sick. I was looking at super bright and their only option for purple leds are labeled as "purple (UV)". I was just wondering if these things would be safe to look at every time that I was in the vehicle at night. This may not be a big deal, but I was just wondering.

You'll probably have a few people tell you it's not a big deal, but the thing with your eyes is you don't really know you're damaging them until later on in life.

I read an article once that stated that staring at LED lighting in the blue and purple wavelengths is potentially damaging to the eyes due to UV light produced. Personally, I find them both kind of taxing on the eyes (especially in the dark), but for a reality check, a black light is a UV light and those have been around for ages. Black lights are usually designed to only produce light over a very narrow wavelength and generally don't have a ton of negative effects (as far as I know). You probably wouldn't want to be staring straight at the light, but as long as it's reflected light and not staring directly at the source, you'll probably be okay, or bouncers in clubs would be blind.

[SnowDrifter]

^^It's damaging because UV, purple, blue, etc. It's a shorter wavelength and carries more energy

That being said: There are 3 types of UV light. UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-C is blocked out by the ozone later. It's the highest wavelength and carries the most energy. Also used in germicidal lamps. UV-B is what gives you sunburn, helps plants to grow, stuff like that. UV-A has the least energy of these, and is closest to the visible spectrum. These are what blacklights emit and are generally considered the least damaging -- "safe"

That being said: I'm not sure I'd want to be staring at one for long periods. Plus... I mean... It's a blacklight. It will make things glow -- including stains, dust, stuff like that. I'd also be concerned about the plastic covering over the gauges glowing. Not a lot, but enough to be noticeable and annoying.

You should be able to find purple LEDs though. I'm having no difficulty on a web search finding them. Other option is you can get a tri-color LED and wire up the blue/red channels to make purple. You could also get crafty with this and adjust the specific shade of purple too

[truthsayer]

Uv for any length of time is never a good thing. But you should be able to find some purple led's, you just might have to do a little research.

[MrBigs63']

Okay. Thanks guys!

[Miguels]

you dont have to buy purple LED lights to make purple.. just get 2 colors that mix and make purple.. i think its red and blue.. i have leds lights.. red green and blue and depending how i wire them i get white and also purple

[MrBigs63']

you dont have to buy purple LED lights to make purple.. just get 2 colors that mix and make purple.. i think its red and blue.. i have leds lights.. red green and blue and depending how i wire them i get white and also purple

Okay I am confused. Are you getting an RGB strip and just wiring them a certain way? I am intending to put the single wedge base type leds behind the gauge cluster, you can't really mix colors.