projector bulb life

[cdawall]

well i have been using a projector as a TV for almost 2 years now and i finally got that bulb life warning. i am at 1972 hrs on the unit. does anyone know how long these actually last? i mean do i need to start looking for a new projector (only cost $350 bulb is roughly $180) the colors still look crisp on it. i have it in high altitude mode so the fan is always on full blast and the bulb is in low watt mode. can i see another year out of it or am i fucked?

[twilyth]

I don't know about normal video projectors, but my Sony KDS-50A2000 is a rear projection hdtv with a lamp and I think it is rated for 5000 hours.

However it has to illuminate a much smaller area than a video projector so maybe the output on your bulb is a lot higher.

I pay about $130 for my bulbs so if you have one that is higher output, $180 doesn't sound crazy high.

[Steevo]

well i have been using a projector as a TV for almost 2 years now and i finally got that bulb life warning. i am at 1972 hrs on the unit. does anyone know how long these actually last? i mean do i need to start looking for a new projector (only cost $350 bulb is roughly $180) the colors still look crisp on it. i have it in high altitude mode so the fan is always on full blast and the bulb is in low watt mode. can i see another year out of it or am i fucked?

I have used projectors for years.


Two things will happen, it will get dimmer and dimmer until it does not work, and it will explode or it won't. Really, the arc lamps used for pure colors will explode sometimes as once the carbon rod is used up it will arc to the base conductor and the resulting heat will cause the bulb to explode.

[twilyth]

Mine usually gets dimmer before it blows but it's not always dramatic enough to notice. It's more like one of those situations where you're not sure if it's really dimmer or it's just you.

Also the life of the bulbs seems to vary quite a bit. I've never recorded the number of hours for each bulb but I would guess it can vary by a couple thousand hours. I don't know if it's a difference in the quality of manufacture or something else though.

[cdawall]

this one seems just as bright as the day i got it. i guess i will see what happens after googling around 2400hrs is what the bulb is rated to in low power mode so i will see what happens lol.

[Steevo]

As long as it has a protective cover you should be fine.

[de.das.dude]

if you gimme some facts and numbers i can crunch and find out how much hours you have left.





/jk i say enjoy while it lasts. (thats what women always tell me :( )

[cdawall]

bulb died today :/

this is all i need to replace it right?

http://www.amazon.com/Projector-SP-88N01GC01-BL-FS180B-BL-FS180C-EP721MX/dp/B003ISU89Y

or

http://www.amatteroffax.com/itempagey_invid_1366422404_d_premier-optoma-ep721-projector-lamp-sp-88n01gc01.html

they are only $120 last time i looked they were more...thinking of just getting the bulb since they are not that expensive and this one did last me since 09

[de.das.dude]

bulbassssssssssssssssaur.