 One
of the only user-replaceable parts in a projector, lamps are critical,
but they don’t last forever. Here are some tips for extending the lamp
life in your projector.
HEAT = BAD
The number one cause of lamp failure is excessive heat. Follow
the instructions in the user manual for powering down the projector to
ensure adequate cool-down.
TIPS
1. Once the projector is turned on, wait
at least 5 minutes before turning it off to allow the fan to properly
cool the unit. After the fan has cooled the projector, unplug it and
store it as desired.
2. Don’t obstruct the air intake or exhaust vent. Paper shouldn’t be placed on top of a projector or where vents are located.
3. Keep the exhaust vent at least 2 feet from any object.
4. If the projector is built into a compartment, wall, ceiling, or
shelf mount, the minimum distance requirement (usually at least 2 feet)
listed in the user manual must be maintained.
5. Clean the projector’s air intake filter every 3 to 6 months, or more frequently based on the operating environment.
6. Don’t move the projector until the lamp has cooled (about 5 minutes).
7. Run the projector for two weeks and/or 20 hours shortly after your
purchase. If the lamp is defective, it’ll usually fail within the first
10 hours of operation. Lamp warranties typically last just 90 to 180
days from the date of purchase, rather than the first installation.
8. When purchasing a replacement lamp, remove the existing lamp and
use the old lamp as a spare. If the projector is new, test the original
lamp for two weeks/20 hours before removing and storing it as a spare.
WHAT ABOUT UHP?
Ultra-high performance (UHP) lamps are a
proprietary Philips metal halide design with luminosity that exceeds
that of the sun, combined with a lifetime of more than 10,000 hours,
which has made it the standard for most commercially available front
and rear projection systems. One recent Philips development is the
introduction of the integrated reflector lamp, in which a back mirror
is coated directly on one hemisphere of the burner. This allows for a
dramatic reduction in reflector size, making it possible to produce
small projectors with less than 1-liter volume.
LAMP LIFE SPECIFICATIONS
Lamp life is measured to industry standards, specifying a 2 hours on and 15 minutes off cycle.
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?*
• Halogen bulbs: 70 hours
• Tungsten: 1,000 hours
• Metal halide (high pressure mercury): 1,000 to 2,000 hours
• Xenon short-arc: 400 to 2,400 hours, depending on type
• UHP (ultra-high performance by Philips): up to 4,000 hours
• HID (high-intensity discharge): 6,000 hours
*(normal use, estimates only)
BASIC LAMP TYPES
Halogen Lamps — These bulbs produce a
warmer image onscreen. This lamp technology has been around for some
time, and is found in many different types of projectors. When these
lamps burn out, they do so immediately, so it’s important to have a few
backups ready to go.
Metal Halide Lamps — These lamps produce a characteristically cooler
image onscreen. As they age, they tend to fade slowly over time. When
the image on the wall doesn’t seem to be as bright as it used to be,
it’s probably time for a new bulb.
2,000 hours = 1 year.
Under normal circumstances, a lamp rated at 2,000 hours should last about a year, operating 7 hours/day, 5 days/week.
LAMP LIFE AND WEEKLY USAGE
Life Expectancy (years)
| Weekly Usage (hours) |
Usage per year (hours) |
1,000-hr. lamp |
2,000-hr. lamp |
3,000-hr. lamp |
4,000-hr. lamp |
5,000-hr. lamp |
6,000-hr. lamp |
| 8 |
416 |
2.4 |
4.8 |
7.2 |
9.6 |
12.02 |
14.4 |
| 12 |
624 |
1.6 |
3.2 |
4.8 |
6.4 |
8.01 |
9.6 |
| 16 |
832 |
1.2 |
2.4 |
3.6 |
4.8 |
6.01 |
7.2 |
| 20 |
1040 |
0.96 |
1.9 |
2.9 |
3.8 |
4.81 |
5.8 |
| 24 |
1248 |
0.80 |
1.6 |
2.4 |
3.2 |
4.01 |
4.8 |
| 28 |
1456 |
0.69 |
1.4 |
2.1 |
2.7 |
3.43 |
4.1 |
| 32 |
1664 |
0.60 |
1.2 |
1.8 |
2.4 |
3.00 |
3.6 |
| 36 |
1872 |
0.53 |
1.1 |
1.6 |
2.1 |
2.67 |
3.2 |
| 40 |
2080 |
0.48 |
1.0 |
1.4 |
1.9 |
2.40 |
2.9 |
THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF LAMP LIFE
Do…
• Use the projector in a normal environment (avoid extreme humidity, temperature, and dust).
• Clean the air/dust filters according the user manual. Blocked filters
make the lamp overheat and fail sooner. Manufacturers can test for this
kind of failure, and any warranty becomes invalid. Always ensure that
there’s good airflow around the projector.
• Use a cloth or gloves for handling.
• Operate in “economy mode,” if it’s available with your projector model.
Don’t…
• Switch off main power before cooling down the lamp, according to the user manual.
• Switch lamp on/off for short cycles (e.g., 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off.)
• Touch the lamp (in cold or operating condition) without gloves.
• Bump the projector when it’s operating.
• Move the projector during operating.
• Allow the projector to become overheated.
HANDLE WITH GLOVES
Deposits from fingerprints cause
temperature “hot spots.” In the long term, the accompanying temperature
gradient stresses the glass resulting in early failure.
MODULE OR NO MODULE?
Replacement lamps are available either
pre-installed in a housing module or “cage” (which then easily installs
in the projector) or as a “raw” lamp. Philips (which manufactures the
UHP lamp), says that the precise placement of the lamp in the module is
critical to lamp life, and recommends buying the lamp pre-installed in
a module.
|
