1930s Vi-tan suntan lamp - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

michael cumming · 8th Mar 2012, 10:20 pm

This is working order sadly not the original plug, i had to replace the mains cord as it was crumbling. The plug is a female connector type and the male connector is located in the back of the unit, some old clothes irons were like this. This unit came with original leather goggles and was made in Wallsend Newcastle Upon Tyne by the Thermal Syndicate Ltd. The only other example i have seen was at the Gower centre in Parkmill near Swansea.

Lucien Nunes · 8th Mar 2012, 11:24 pm

That's a very nice looking unit. I thought the name was familiar - turns out they were (are) makers of quartz products such as the arc tube (which has to be quartz or it would filter out the UV). Info and advert for it here: http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Thermal_Syndicate

The trouble with some of these discharge sunlamps is the amount of harmful shortwave UV-C present in their output. I have a much later model that looks quite different but is probably much the same technically. When running you can smell ozone being formed within its light beam indicating content below 250nm. Do you get the same effect with yours? As much as I like to bask in the glow of a mercury arc rectifier, you won't catch me standing in front of one of these for long!

Lucien

michael cumming · 8th Mar 2012, 11:43 pm

Yes i get the same smell, i to never use UV lamps. this is just for show an when i use it to show people its only on a very short time. i shut my eyes to take the pic of it working. i just loved the old wooden case an the bulb. Its not a thing i would use though its for show only. i have seen other types from Pifco an Phillips that use a tube or a red bulb and have seen a few Pifco carbon lamps but these wooden ones i have only seen two of so far.

Restorer79 · 9th Mar 2012, 12:12 pm

Hi Michael: Thanks for putting the pictures up, that's the first time i've actually seen 1 of those.

Andy

michael cumming · 9th Mar 2012, 5:10 pm

No problem, i thought it was rare an still think this to be the case as its only the second one i have seen as i spotted one in a museum in Wales. Its local to me as well where it was made.

8th Mar 2012, 10:20 pm	#1
michael cumming Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Durham Posts: 205	1930s Vi-tan suntan lamp This is working order sadly not the original plug, i had to replace the mains cord as it was crumbling. The plug is a female connector type and the male connector is located in the back of the unit, some old clothes irons were like this. This unit came with original leather goggles and was made in Wallsend Newcastle Upon Tyne by the Thermal Syndicate Ltd. The only other example i have seen was at the Gower centre in Parkmill near Swansea. Attached Thumbnails

8th Mar 2012, 11:24 pm	#2
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: 1930s Vi-tan suntan lamp That's a very nice looking unit. I thought the name was familiar - turns out they were (are) makers of quartz products such as the arc tube (which has to be quartz or it would filter out the UV). Info and advert for it here: http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Thermal_Syndicate The trouble with some of these discharge sunlamps is the amount of harmful shortwave UV-C present in their output. I have a much later model that looks quite different but is probably much the same technically. When running you can smell ozone being formed within its light beam indicating content below 250nm. Do you get the same effect with yours? As much as I like to bask in the glow of a mercury arc rectifier, you won't catch me standing in front of one of these for long! Lucien

8th Mar 2012, 11:43 pm	#3
michael cumming Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Durham Posts: 205	Re: 1930s Vi-tan suntan lamp Yes i get the same smell, i to never use UV lamps. this is just for show an when i use it to show people its only on a very short time. i shut my eyes to take the pic of it working. i just loved the old wooden case an the bulb. Its not a thing i would use though its for show only. i have seen other types from Pifco an Phillips that use a tube or a red bulb and have seen a few Pifco carbon lamps but these wooden ones i have only seen two of so far.

9th Mar 2012, 12:12 pm	#4
Restorer79 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ammanford, South Wales, UK. Posts: 112	Re: 1930s Vi-tan suntan lamp Hi Michael: Thanks for putting the pictures up, that's the first time i've actually seen 1 of those. Andy

9th Mar 2012, 5:10 pm	#5
michael cumming Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Durham Posts: 205	Re: 1930s Vi-tan suntan lamp No problem, i thought it was rare an still think this to be the case as its only the second one i have seen as i spotted one in a museum in Wales. Its local to me as well where it was made.