Using Meter Readings - TanToday

Beach Bum · 11th May 2009, 02:17 PM

Trying to understand how best to use meter readings and calculations. I understand the basic, that a 5.0 can show lamp degradation and a 30% drop is the recommend time to relamp.

Knowing how much UVA and UVB helps determine which lamps will be better at "reddening" and which is better at "browning". More UVB, more reddening, more UVA more browning, right?

Is there ideal lamp meter readings that indicate if a lamp is good at both? Or what is the ideal UVB%? I assume it will varying base on what you hope to accomplish.

Would it make sense to catagorize it as what is the ideal UVB% for each skin type and for each skin type if they are establishing a base tan or have already establish a base tan?

engfant · 11th May 2009, 02:26 PM

Just put in Supra, New Tech or LSIs and don't worry about the meter numbers.

If you are dealing in lamps that have names that end in numbers (10.0/7.0) then you may need a meter.

engfant · 11th May 2009, 02:27 PM

Most of us want you to buy a meter so we know we are better than you and NOTHING to do with lamp changes, etc.

Now for the supra readings....this is still a work in progress as I don't even think they'd be compatible in anything with those numbers.

solarmeter® · 11th May 2009, 05:27 PM

Egg is off his meds today.

Speaking of MED's go read the post by UV Man on the Supra thread. MEDs trump UVB%.

Beach Bum · 11th May 2009, 09:40 PM

So a shorter Med time is better than high B%? For every skin type? Will the Med time always decrease as B increases?

Wouldn't a fair skin type be better serve with a lamp with a longer Med time?

sparky · 12th May 2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Wouldn't a fair skin type be better serve with a lamp with a longer Med time?

That's where the other meters come in.

Lower B, Less MED's, More A gets a great brown tan every time.

The problem is many have been 'trained' to see the red as a tan.

Don · 12th May 2009, 02:01 PM

Sparky was one of the first to "embrace and understand" the role that the various meters can play in quality controlling a professional indoor tanning salon. The first time I presented info (Chicago-1999) about the use of meters there was this guy asking all of these really great questions (some of which Steve had to answer) and it was my friend Sparky.

Take "to the bank" whatever he tells you about the "practical" use of meters! Steve is still "learning" so be patient with him-LOL.

sparky · 12th May 2009, 03:56 PM

You remember that time Don ???

Ah, to be so young and energetic in this industry.

Shame most of it all goes into deaf ears.

I'm Glad Steve brought out the 7.0 MED meter, carrying around a calculator and formula to convert from the UV Index meter was maddening.

solarmeter® · 12th May 2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

(Chicago-1999)

I can not believe that was a whole decade ago!

By now Sparky's buttons have been pushed more times than the switch lifetime cycle test!

UV MAN · 12th May 2009, 07:25 PM

I like the TE time of my beds to be approx 2-3 minutes under the max tan time of the unit regardless if it is a NEW Era lamp or a traditional lamp. Keep in mind that most lamps will drop in TE time approx 10% the first 20hrs of the lamp.

So I know if I put in a brand new lamp in a 12 minute bed and the TE time of the bed is 10 minutes with BRAND NEW lamps I know that at about 20hrs the TE time will already be around 11 minutes depending on the lamp. So I try to go a little more aggressive because of this quick initial drop off. At that point from my 20 Hr meter readings I pull the lamps after another 20% drop off which would now be approx 13-14 min session in a 12 minute bed.

These are just my preferences. You can do this with New Era or Traditional lamps depending on the unit. Its best to have levles that tan differently. Keep in mind that HP is a whole different BEAST. With sooo much browning (high output)you could literally have a HP bed with a 12 minute session and a high 25 minute TE time and it tans you like a mother. Tube are completly different but there are differences between traditional lamps and New Era lamps.

navigatin1 · 12th May 2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

The problem is many have been 'trained' to see the red as a tan.

Isn't that the truth!!!

solarmeter® · 12th May 2009, 10:29 PM

Drew · 9th June 2009, 01:58 PM

UV man...I agree. I too want the TE time to be about 20% under the max time when the lamps are new.

8 on a sungate...10 on a UWE or other VHR beds.

Many lamps START at the TE of a full time like cosmolux lamps and then go down from there...so people are only happy when the lamps are in the first month of use.

The Supras will give you the extra 20% you need with tons of UVA so you will brown even on the shorter session as good or better.

11th May 2009, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Beach Bum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,187	Using Meter Readings Trying to understand how best to use meter readings and calculations. I understand the basic, that a 5.0 can show lamp degradation and a 30% drop is the recommend time to relamp. Knowing how much UVA and UVB helps determine which lamps will be better at "reddening" and which is better at "browning". More UVB, more reddening, more UVA more browning, right? Is there ideal lamp meter readings that indicate if a lamp is good at both? Or what is the ideal UVB%? I assume it will varying base on what you hope to accomplish. Would it make sense to catagorize it as what is the ideal UVB% for each skin type and for each skin type if they are establishing a base tan or have already establish a base tan?

11th May 2009, 02:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
engfant Hall of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,550	Re: Using Meter Readings Just put in Supra, New Tech or LSIs and don't worry about the meter numbers. If you are dealing in lamps that have names that end in numbers (10.0/7.0) then you may need a meter. __________________ Watch the jaw! Don't hit the jaw!

11th May 2009, 02:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
engfant Hall of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,550	Re: Using Meter Readings Most of us want you to buy a meter so we know we are better than you and NOTHING to do with lamp changes, etc. Now for the supra readings....this is still a work in progress as I don't even think they'd be compatible in anything with those numbers. __________________ Watch the jaw! Don't hit the jaw!

11th May 2009, 05:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
solarmeter® UV Geek Squad Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,820	Re: Using Meter Readings Egg is off his meds today. Speaking of MED's go read the post by UV Man on the Supra thread. MEDs trump UVB%. __________________ ......................Flashback 2001........................ "One of the 'ORIGINAL' TanToday Gang"

11th May 2009, 09:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Beach Bum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,187	Re: Using Meter Readings So a shorter Med time is better than high B%? For every skin type? Will the Med time always decrease as B increases? Wouldn't a fair skin type be better serve with a lamp with a longer Med time?

12th May 2009, 02:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Don Super Star Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 624	Re: Using Meter Readings Sparky was one of the first to "embrace and understand" the role that the various meters can play in quality controlling a professional indoor tanning salon. The first time I presented info (Chicago-1999) about the use of meters there was this guy asking all of these really great questions (some of which Steve had to answer) and it was my friend Sparky. Take "to the bank" whatever he tells you about the "practical" use of meters! Steve is still "learning" so be patient with him-LOL. __________________

12th May 2009, 03:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
sparky Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,646	Re: Using Meter Readings You remember that time Don ??? Ah, to be so young and energetic in this industry. Shame most of it all goes into deaf ears. I'm Glad Steve brought out the 7.0 MED meter, carrying around a calculator and formula to convert from the UV Index meter was maddening. __________________ _________________________________________ My Vitamin D3 Level ?? 66 ng/ml of 25(OH)D Find yours at GrassRootsHealth today!

12th May 2009, 07:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
UV MAN Veteran Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 300	Re: Using Meter Readings I like the TE time of my beds to be approx 2-3 minutes under the max tan time of the unit regardless if it is a NEW Era lamp or a traditional lamp. Keep in mind that most lamps will drop in TE time approx 10% the first 20hrs of the lamp. So I know if I put in a brand new lamp in a 12 minute bed and the TE time of the bed is 10 minutes with BRAND NEW lamps I know that at about 20hrs the TE time will already be around 11 minutes depending on the lamp. So I try to go a little more aggressive because of this quick initial drop off. At that point from my 20 Hr meter readings I pull the lamps after another 20% drop off which would now be approx 13-14 min session in a 12 minute bed. These are just my preferences. You can do this with New Era or Traditional lamps depending on the unit. Its best to have levles that tan differently. Keep in mind that HP is a whole different BEAST. With sooo much browning (high output)you could literally have a HP bed with a 12 minute session and a high 25 minute TE time and it tans you like a mother. Tube are completly different but there are differences between traditional lamps and New Era lamps. Last edited by UV MAN; 12th May 2009 at 07:29 PM..

12th May 2009, 10:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
solarmeter® UV Geek Squad Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,820	Re: Using Meter Readings Oh Yeah Baby!© © Some English guy in a red/white/blue striped MG convertible who knows nuthin about tanning. __________________ ......................Flashback 2001........................ "One of the 'ORIGINAL' TanToday Gang"

9th June 2009, 01:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
Drew Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,349	Re: Using Meter Readings UV man...I agree. I too want the TE time to be about 20% under the max time when the lamps are new. 8 on a sungate...10 on a UWE or other VHR beds. Many lamps START at the TE of a full time like cosmolux lamps and then go down from there...so people are only happy when the lamps are in the first month of use. The Supras will give you the extra 20% you need with tons of UVA so you will brown even on the shorter session as good or better. __________________ The only city with a decent burrito. San Diego, Ca.

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