What meters should I buy?

[Don]

I received an e-mail asking "What meters should I buy? I don't want to spend a lot of money so I only want to buy two meters."

Here is what I would recommend:
- MED/hour meter
- Vitamin D meter

The MED/hour meter will allow you to "QC" your tanning units for compliance after you change lamps and to determine when they have reached the end of their useful life. It will also help you determine when your acrylics are dirty and/or are not allowing the UVB wavelengths to pass through (by measuring the lamps with and without the acrylic in place and comparing the results. If the "without" is 10% higher than the "with" you either have a dirty or solarized acrylic that needs to be replaced.)

The vitamin D meter will allow you to prove to your clients that sunbeds emit a lot of vitamin D-effective photons. In addition, you can compare the amount of vitamin D stimulated by sunlight to your sunbeds.

Note: For both meters the top of sensor should be 25 cm above the bench acrylic when reading the canopy and the reading should be made at the same time in the cycle, i.e., at 3 - 5 minutes.

Divide the reading on the meter by 60 to get MED/minute. [Example: 12.0 MED/hour / 60 = 0.2 MED/minute. 4.0 MED / 0.2 MED/minute = 20 minute Te (time to erythema/sunburning).]

You can also use MED/hour) to determine sunlamp degradation and determine when to change your lamps.

100% (New) = 12.0 MED/hour (0.2 MED/minute)
= New = 20.0 minute Te time
UVR sensitive clients should be cut back to a max of 18 minutes

Minus 20% = 10.0 MED/hour (0.167 MED/minute)
= 20% degradation = 24.0 minute Te time
In the "sweet spot" of lamp life

Minus 25% = 9.6 MED/hour (0.160 MED/minute)
= 25% degradation = 25 minute Te time
Time to order new sunlamps

Minus 30% = 9.2 MED/hour (0.154 MED/minute)
= 30% degradation = 26.0 minute Te time
Time to change sunlamps - a few clients will complain

Minus 40% = 8.6 MED/hour (0.143 MED/minute)
= 40% degradation = 28.0 minute Te time
Several of your clients will complain

Minus 50% = 8.0 MED/hour (0.133 MED/minute)
= 50% degradation = 30.1minute Te
Most of your clients will complain

Minus 60% = 7.4 MED/hour (0.123 MED/minute)
= 60% degradation = 32.5minute Te
Almost all of your clients will complain

Use the handy Excel spreadsheet that comes with the Vitamin D meter to make calculations based upon skin type and the amount of skin that is exposed.

Note: Solarmeter Steve may have some comments when he returns from cruising on Lake Michigan in his 60 foot yacht.

[John]

Don, I agree. Great post.

[solarmeter®]

We've been hijacked at sea by pirates off Whitefish Point.... contacting Navy Seals now.... s.o.s..... where's my AK-47 at?

Transmitted by satellite phone

[Don]

Steve sent me a picture of his yacht. That is his "summer place" in the background.

[sparky]

I see you've downgraded since your last sabbatical!

[Don]

Steve had to "tighten his belt" a little this year. His old yacht was much bigger.

Here is a picture of my new yacht. My "summer place" is a two person pup tent.

[sparky]

And you sir, have lost weight since i last saw you

congrats

[Don]

Sparky:

Thanks for sending me the picture (below) of your "combination" yacht and summer place. I love your front yard!

[sparky]

Actually, here's the waterfront property AFTER the levee broke in Wisconsin Dells.

used to be a nice beachfront

houseboat was washed away for a total loss

[Don]

That's too bad. However, I have a house (below) I will give you to use until you can rebuild.





It is fairly small - it will only "seat" two at a time.

[sparky]

Hey, that's been remodeled already!

last visit i had was without those collar thingies to sit on.


only took a week to get the splinter outta my sphincter

[solarmeter®]

I see the natives have been restless while we were away on another up-north thip!

[Don]

Looks like we will have to go back to talking about meters now. It was fun while it lasted, Sparky.

Welcome back Commander Steve!

[sparky]

Aye Aye Capt'n!

[jordie114j]

just bought a 7.0 from john, he was so helpful, thanks john! Can't wait to get it.

[Drew]

thanks Steve for the beta test on my new 7.0 Extreme.

It works great for both HP and VHR beds. Much improved