Advice Needed On Constructing A Homemade Uv-C Sanitizer!

[Neriah]

Hello there,
I am an keen athlete and due to the circumstances I often find myself wearing the same pair of shoes over prolonged periods of time without a chance of changing socks or shoes. As a result, I occasionally suffer from fungal infections and bad foot odour.

A few days ago I saw a product called sterishoe, advertised as a shoe sanitizer. To my understanding it is essentially a UV-C lamp which is utilized to kill any fungus present in the shoes. Do you think it's an effective way of killing fungi? I have decided to give it a try using my own homemade device. UV-C lamps for sanitational purposes are only used in aquariums so I thought this would be the best place to ask for help.

I am just looking for a UV-C bulb with a cable to be able to power it. I need a bulb which will not get very hot as it will be placed inside shoes. I have no idea of UV devices but from what I've heard the best way to kill fungus is with UV-C high intensity radiation with peak frequency of 253.7nm even though I have no idea what this means. I would like to hear your view on this! Do you think I should get a lamp with more than 10W of power?

What do you think, are those lamps any good?
http://www.uvshop.co.uk/product.asp?urn=385&c_urn=50
http://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/pond/pond-filters/uv-bulbs/13w-pls-uv-bulb.html
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/088415.htm

The overall length of the device shouldn't exceed 19-23 cm and as I would like to get as much as lamp area as possible.Most UV-C lamps have a G23 socket and even though there is a wide variety of lamps available I haven't really found any short adaptors/cables available on sale locally or through the web (I live in the UK).

I am looking for something like this:

As for safety, I am aware that UV-C radiation can damage the eyes so I intend to place the shoes inside a cardboard box while the device is functioning. My guess is that should be enough.

I would like to try this out and I thought I hoped I could get some advice from you guys. Thank you for your time, I look forward to your reply!

 

[onidrase]

I you ask me, I don't think UV Sterilizers are the king of things you want to recon with. DIYing with such stuff can be quite dangerous, and if I ever got a UV sterilizer or sanitizer, so much as a crack in the product would make me trash it or take it back. Making modifications to make it do something it's not intended to do just cause it might be cheaper would be like buying a pair of sunglasses from walgreens instead of a welding helmet to protect yourself with a MIG Welder, or making your very own microwave. Basically, I think it'd be better to buy the shoe thing rather than trying to make one yourself. But that's just me.

 

[Neriah]

Thank you for your reply onidrase. I realise UV-C radiation can be dangerous but I don't think it's going to be much of a problem if proper precautions are taken. As for sterishoe, unfortunately, there is a serious flaw in the design of this product. Only the front area of the shoe is going to affected by the UV-C lamp. I can't understand what the designers had in mind, probably trying to protect someone who had not taken the safety procedures. That aside, it is a ridiculously overpriced product which is not even available in europe.

I have tried and I am still using a couple of different things like footpowders, antiperspirants, fungus medication etc but the problem is still there and most probably, going to be there for a long time.I don't really feel I lose much trying this out. And even if there's a slight chance to help me a little bit I am willing to take the chance.

My main concern has been a G23 adaptor or cable as I can't seem to find any around. I would be indebted if someone had any suggestion on that, thank you!