Preserving lamp life - Blu-ray Forum

Disky76 · 02-17-2009, 03:57 PM

Okay, so I am new to front projection, and since the price of projection lamps are ridiculous, I was wondering how to save my lamp?

I run my projector in low mode, and don't see any reason to put it in high mode, so I know that adds like 1,000 hours, but how else can I save it?

I read that turning it off and on a lot can wear down the bulb, but how many times is excessive? Should I just turn the bulb on daily when I watch my movie (s) and leave it on until I am done even if it's hours later? Is turn the projector on one or two times a day within reason?

Or will turning it off and then back on again, say two hours later, be a better way to save the bulb? (As opposed to keeping the projector running for hours watching several movies back to back?)

Beta Man · 02-17-2009, 04:15 PM

This is a "Rule of Thumb" so to speak....

If you turn on the projector.... say you want to show a neighbor etc..... or you sit down to watch something, and the movie you got from Netflix is scratched etc.... DO NOT turn off the projector for 15 minutes..... let it run for at least that amount of time, and THEN turn it off....

Next, if you turn it off, it'd be best to wait at least 15 minutes before turning it back on.... it lets the bulb cool down.

I run my projector on "Standard" mode.... (only that or low are my options)

I figure if I have to replace my bulb every year, it's worth it!

At my current pace (I don't play video games or watch T.V. on it) it'll last a few years per bulb..... so $100 per year or so operating cost isn't much to me.

I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH:

Sorry to hi-jack your thread, but as a new projector owner myself, I figure I'd ask here since you may have the same question.....

I have to stand on a chair, and take on/off the lens cover for the projector..... Should I even be doing this????? I know there is dust etc that can happen, (pics of the room in my signature....it's not an unfinished basement or anything) Should I, or Can I just leave the lens off of the projector all the time????? Just put it on if I plan on removing the projector etc.?????

What do most people do regarding this?

Disky76 · 02-17-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

This is a "Rule of Thumb" so to speak....

If you turn on the projector.... say you want to show a neighbor etc..... or you sit down to watch something, and the movie you got from Netflix is scratched etc.... DO NOT turn off the projector for 15 minutes..... let it run for at least that amount of time, and THEN turn it off....

Next, if you turn it off, it'd be best to wait at least 15 minutes before turning it back on.... it lets the bulb cool down.

I run my projector on "Standard" mode.... (only that or low are my options)

I figure if I have to replace my bulb every year, it's worth it!

At my current pace (I don't play video games or watch T.V. on it) it'll last a few years per bulb..... so $100 per year or so operating cost isn't much to me.

I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH:

Sorry to hi-jack your thread, but as a new projector owner myself, I figure I'd ask here since you may have the same question.....

I have to stand on a chair, and take on/off the lens cover for the projector..... Should I even be doing this????? I know there is dust etc that can happen, (pics of the room in my signature....it's not an unfinished basement or anything) Should I, or Can I just leave the lens off of the projector all the time????? Just put it on if I plan on removing the projector etc.?????

What do most people do regarding this?

That's a good question. While I don't have to stand on a chair to take my lens off, your post just reminded me that I forgot to put the lens cap on last night!!

** runs to theatre and puts lens cap on projector ***

*** footsteps coming closer ***

Okay...so yeah...I wonder myself if we can just leave our lenscaps off. I have two cats, so it's probably a good idea for me!

Thanks again for your advice! You've been a great source of info since I started this project!

dad2erin · 02-17-2009, 05:03 PM

I work at a college where 90% of our classrooms are mediated with projectors. We leave the lens cap off because of not only the height of the projector but the frequency it is being used. About maybe every six months do I clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth. The only time that we have issues is if there is a cobweb or large dust particles that get on the lens. Mind you we are using 3000+ lumen projectors in medium to large rooms and 2000+ lumen projectors in small rooms. Hoped this helped.

j3yq · 02-17-2009, 09:56 PM

I read somewhere that its always good to put like $10-$20 every month away for a new bulb so that when it does go out, you'll have all or most of the money to replace it. thats what ive been doing. Also I alway replace the lens cap but that just because id rather be safe than sorry.

perfectdark · 02-20-2009, 11:17 PM

i also put on my lens cap as well.. saves on cleaning.. you still have to clean it but maybeonly 2-3 times a year with the cap on

ryoohki · 02-21-2009, 01:56 AM

Depend on how you use it also. Personnally my projector is used only for Blu-ray (rare DVD's) and very rare gaming. I used to be a gamer (huge) 2 years ago and i did 1600 hours is 1.5years. That was close to my 2000 top. I don't watch TV or sports so. Got a 15 years old Tube for the news/eating entertainement near the dinner table...

P1rat3 · 02-23-2009, 08:29 PM

I would also add that another excellent way to preserve your bulb and extend it past 2000 hours is to get a UPS battery backup system that will not only let you safely power the unit down in the event of a blackout but also clean the power.

Also, and most obviously, make sure you clean the dust filters on your projector every 100-150 hours of runtime.

02-17-2009, 03:57 PM	#1
Disky76 Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:FL Home Theater Gallery:20 Blu-ray collection:61 Blu-ray reviews:6	Preserving lamp life Okay, so I am new to front projection, and since the price of projection lamps are ridiculous, I was wondering how to save my lamp? I run my projector in low mode, and don't see any reason to put it in high mode, so I know that adds like 1,000 hours, but how else can I save it? I read that turning it off and on a lot can wear down the bulb, but how many times is excessive? Should I just turn the bulb on daily when I watch my movie (s) and leave it on until I am done even if it's hours later? Is turn the projector on one or two times a day within reason? Or will turning it off and then back on again, say two hours later, be a better way to save the bulb? (As opposed to keeping the projector running for hours watching several movies back to back?)

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02-17-2009, 04:15 PM	#2
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	This is a "Rule of Thumb" so to speak.... If you turn on the projector.... say you want to show a neighbor etc..... or you sit down to watch something, and the movie you got from Netflix is scratched etc.... DO NOT turn off the projector for 15 minutes..... let it run for at least that amount of time, and THEN turn it off.... Next, if you turn it off, it'd be best to wait at least 15 minutes before turning it back on.... it lets the bulb cool down. I run my projector on "Standard" mode.... (only that or low are my options) I figure if I have to replace my bulb every year, it's worth it! At my current pace (I don't play video games or watch T.V. on it) it'll last a few years per bulb..... so $100 per year or so operating cost isn't much to me. I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION THOUGH: Sorry to hi-jack your thread, but as a new projector owner myself, I figure I'd ask here since you may have the same question..... I have to stand on a chair, and take on/off the lens cover for the projector..... Should I even be doing this????? I know there is dust etc that can happen, (pics of the room in my signature....it's not an unfinished basement or anything) Should I, or Can I just leave the lens off of the projector all the time????? Just put it on if I plan on removing the projector etc.????? What do most people do regarding this?

02-17-2009, 05:03 PM	#4
dad2erin Active Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:south hadley, ma Home Theater Gallery:9	I work at a college where 90% of our classrooms are mediated with projectors. We leave the lens cap off because of not only the height of the projector but the frequency it is being used. About maybe every six months do I clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth. The only time that we have issues is if there is a cobweb or large dust particles that get on the lens. Mind you we are using 3000+ lumen projectors in medium to large rooms and 2000+ lumen projectors in small rooms. Hoped this helped.

02-17-2009, 09:56 PM	#5
j3yq Member Member since:Jul 2007 Trading Score:6	I read somewhere that its always good to put like $10-$20 every month away for a new bulb so that when it does go out, you'll have all or most of the money to replace it. thats what ive been doing. Also I alway replace the lens cap but that just because id rather be safe than sorry.

02-20-2009, 11:17 PM	#6
perfectdark Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:51 Blu-ray collection:55 Blu-ray reviews: 59 Trading Score:14	i also put on my lens cap as well.. saves on cleaning.. you still have to clean it but maybeonly 2-3 times a year with the cap on

02-21-2009, 01:56 AM	#7
ryoohki Blu-ray Samurai Member since:May 2007 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:6 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:5	Depend on how you use it also. Personnally my projector is used only for Blu-ray (rare DVD's) and very rare gaming. I used to be a gamer (huge) 2 years ago and i did 1600 hours is 1.5years. That was close to my 2000 top. I don't watch TV or sports so. Got a 15 years old Tube for the news/eating entertainement near the dinner table...

02-23-2009, 08:29 PM	#8
P1rat3 Junior Member Member since:Feb 2009	I would also add that another excellent way to preserve your bulb and extend it past 2000 hours is to get a UPS battery backup system that will not only let you safely power the unit down in the event of a blackout but also clean the power. Also, and most obviously, make sure you clean the dust filters on your projector every 100-150 hours of runtime.

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