Projector Lamps
Projector Bulbs
If you own a DLP or LCD projector, you know that replacing the projector lamp
is something that you will need to do at some point. The average projector
lamp’s bulb lasts for around 2,000 hours, so most projector users will need
to replace their lamp at least twice over the life of the projector. Since projector lamps
can be expensive, it is important that you have the most accurate and up
to date information about projector lamps before you buy.
There are many aspects of a projector lamp that play a role in the projection
of images or video from projector, although by far, the most important part is
the lamp. Every projector lamp has several different parts, that all work towards
housing and helping the lamp to function properly. It’s important to remember
that varying types of projectors will use and house the projector lamps in different
ways. However, they all use the bulb and projector lamp for the same reason –
in order to transfer video, images, or information on to a large screen or surface.
Lamp or Bulb?
Usually the word "Lamp" is used to describe a Lamp Assembly usually
including a "cage" around a bulb that goes into a LCD or DLP Projector.
These projectors are used with personal computers, VCR, or DVD players. If you
have an LCD or DLP projector it is likely that your manufacturer will require
you to replace the "Lamp Assembly" including the cage. Attempting
to dismantle the lamp and trying to replace the bulb only will in some cases
void the warranty of your LCD or DLP Projector.
The word bulb usually refers to ANSI coded bulbs for overhead/slide projectors
or specialty bulbs for medical, dental, automotive, and more.
There are many different types of bulbs that projector lamps use in order to
do their job. The two most popular are halogen bulbs and metal halide bulbs.
Halogen bulbs are cheaper and do not last as long as metal halide bulbs, which
are more expensive. The halogen bulbs, when used in
projector lamps
, often produce
a yellow tint on the image that is being projected. This is one reason why many
people have opted for projector bulbs
that use metal halide bulbs, rather than halogen bulbs. Some large projectors
use bulbs that are referred to as Xenon lamps, which are used largely because
of the incredible color reproduction they are able to achieve.
Please note that different projectors will have to use corresponding projector
lamps. Not all projector lamps are universal, which is why when looking for
projector lamps it would be best to consult your owner’s manual for recommendations.
The cost of replacing your projection lamp
People are often shocked when they see the price of a new projector lamp, expecting
it to cost a similar amount to a fluorescent lamp. Projector lamps operate at
extreme temperatures and pressures, and high-grade quartz is often used to make
the bulbs to ensure resistance to these stresses is achieved while providing
a very high-quality light output. Projector lamps are produced by an extremely
complex technology that is very costly to the manufacturer; therefore the price
of projector lamps tends to be pretty high.
Lamp Life
How long will my projector lamp last?
A huge benefit to projector lamps is the fact that they last for very
long time. Just like any light bulb you would use for any other purpose, projector
bulbs have an expected operating time that’s called lamp life. This is
usually expressed in number of hours - normally 1000 to 2000 hours. The lamp
life of some newer models can last up to 4000 hours or more. The lamp's success
rate is based on a statistical bell curve, so that the majority of (but not
all) lamps will meet the lamp life hours specified. Some lamps will fail sooner
and this is part of the operating range of the rating and others can live even
longer. This is one of the biggest benefits of a projector lamps and the main
reason why they haven’t been phased out and replaced by newer technology.
For projectors that are used under normal operating conditions, usually no
more than three to five hours per day in a clean, dust-free environment, the
lamp will have the greatest chance of lasting through its entire lamp life.
Projectors that are used more often are more likely to show a decrease in lamp
life. Projectors that are operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are of course,
have the highest chance of lamp failure before the end of the hours specified.
The common cause of lamp failure lamp failure is usually overheating or over
voltage.
Knowing when to replace your projector’s lamp
The right moment to change a lamp is determined by the deterioration of image
quality such as a decrease of brightness or color fading. Some projectors have
a light indicator when its’ time to replace your lamp.
Projector lamps experience a gradual dimming of the brightness of the image
as the lamp loses power and pressure builds up within the bulb. The dimming
may be slow but will nonetheless have a huge impact on your display. You should
replace your lamp when the dimming of your image becomes noticeable. Occasionally,
at the end of its life the lamp may fail altogether. Most modern projectors
have a built-in lamp hour counter which will let you know when it is time to
change your lamp and this counter should be reset every time the lamp is changed.
Check your projector's user guide for information about this feature. Replacing
a projector lamp can be simple and be performed in a few steps.
Making my projector lamp last
Below is a list of preventative steps you can take to reduce the chance of your
projector lamp failing early:
- Try not to allow the projector to overheat; the primary cause of projection
lamp failure is excessive temperature stress.
- Allow the projector lamp to cool off for at least 10 minutes after powering
down, and never move the projector during this period or while the projector
lamp is on. The likelihood of causing dame is much higher while the lamp is
still hot.
- Operate your projector in a clean, dust-free environment to prevent clogging
of the fans and air filters. The filters should be cleaned on a regular basis.
- Leave plenty of space around the projector's fan or exhaust to allow excess
heat to be dispersed properly.
- Use the "economy mode" if it is available on your projector when
appropriate. This will decreases the projectors brightness and will help the
lamp to last longer.
- Never leave a projector in very hot or very cold places, for example in
a car on a summer or winter day.
