Understand the lamp
The
energy coming from a projection
lamp produces enormous heat, and
yet the lamp-a relatively small
device-must withstand temperatures
that would melt most electronic
components. Lamps are fragile
high-tech devices and they're
not inexpensive.
Never
touch the lamp
Contact
with human skin will leave an
oily residue on the lamp that
can damage it. Additionally, the
lamp gets so hot it can melt your
finger. Better projectors house
their lamps in a sealed lamp assembly,
which protects both the lamp and
your safety.
Take
care in installing the lamp
Sealed
lamp assemblies make changing
a projector lamp quite simple:
Remove one or two screws, pull
a handle, and have the lamp assembly
slide out like an ink cartridge
on a printer. Reading what your
projector manual says about lamp-handling
procedure is a very good idea.
Keep
filters clean
To
extend the life of a projection
lamp, clean the projector's filters
to ensure there's enough ventilation
to maintain an acceptable operating
temperature for the lamp. Inspect
the filters every couple of weeks
or sooner, depending on your environment.
Let
the lamp cool
Projection
lamp filaments become more fragile
when hot. Power down the lamp
but keep the fan running until
the unit cools off to help protect
it.
Don't move a hot projector
Moving
a projector while it's hot can
cause the filament to break. Don't
think you can simply turn off
the power, unplug the projector,
and pack it up. Let the lamp cool
down first.
Take
care in installation
If
your projector is permanently
mounted and not subject to movement,
make sure that the fan vent isn't
blocked by the mounting plates.
This will cause overheating and
lamp failure.
Use
automation
Better
projectors offer connectors to
interface with automation systems.
When a lamp needs replacement
the projector can notify you through
a system status update.
