Projector Care Advices

The working of the projector and its life is influenced entirely by the lamp life and the conditions the lamp is put to work. In general the projector lamps are metal halide source that offers very bright light of high luminescence than the existing domestic bulbs. The various technologies involved are UHP (Ultra High Performance), Xenon Arc, NSH and P-Vip. These lamps require variegated voltage and have unique characteristics of their own. Lamp life is in terms of 'hours' i.e. the total numbers of hours the lamp has been used to project. The lamp`s life varies and is influenced by various factors like the working conditions, operating temperature etc. An average lamp life ranges from 1500-2000 hrs, but however this can be extended to some extent by following some simple steps that create a healthy atmosphere for the lamp thereby increasing its life.

• Avoid overheating of the lamp

  The discharge temperature of all the projector lamps is very high since it involves electric arc discharge. This ultimately leads to potential damage to the electrode which deteriorates in its performance gradually. So the first tip is to avoid overheating of the lamp. Some projectors are fitted with thermostats that automatically shut down the lamp after a peak allowable temperature is reached while others have to be switched off manually. One best practice would be to switch off the lamp first and then the projector.

• Keep the projector filter clean

  The filter wards away the dust and other dirt that remain suspended in the air and which tends to disrupt the operating environment of the projector. So the primary thing that is required from your side is to clean the filter in regular intervals especially when the projector is used in an atmosphere prone to dust. This will add a few months to your lamp`s life.

• Operating the projector in 'Economy mode'

  All projectors come with a built in 'Economy Mode' which economizes the life of the lamp by decreasing the brightness. It projects the images with a brightness that is optimum rather than maximum. An illustration would perhaps help: if the lamp is operating in 2000 lumens and the life is 1500 hours, it can be increased to 1700 hrs by operating it in 1800 lumens which is possible by operating it the economy mode. Make your lamp live longer by letting it lose a few lumens.

• Don't move your projector

  One of the basic step to follow is not to move the projector when it is on or even when it is shutting down. This will damage the electrode or the filament and might even cause the lamp to burst.

• Your projector needs air in the room

  Heat rejection is one of the important factors that influence the life of the projector lamp. It is therefore mandatory to keep the projector in a place where there is sufficient air for circulation and some considerable space for venting the heat. Keeping the projector away from walls will help to some extent. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight and if possible enhance the cooling by artificial cooling or air conditioning.

• Don`t shake the projector

  The electronic circuit in the projector is very sensitive which can get disrupted due to any sort of quick movement in any form of jostle, bump etc. Never give any jerk to the system which will harm the lamp and even lead to lamp bursts.

• Installing a projector lamp

  Worn out projector lamps need to be replaced by new ones which are either OEM or alternatives. Once it is decided to change the same, it can be affected by turning some screws and some knobs. But care should be exercised while replacing the same and should never be done without consulting the user's manual. Replacements can be done as bare bulbs or Bulbs with housing. Bulbs are in general very fragile and may burst if not properly handled; one of the vital steps is to avoid 'skin contact' with the bulb making it mandatory to wear a glove while handling it. Installing the bulb with housing is a good advice since it always fits the projector in the best way possible and has an extended life rather than changing the bulb alone.

• Climatic conditions

  Your projectors need to be in an atmosphere that is climate controlled. It should basically be free from dust and suspended dirt. Extreme hot conditions as inside a car might tend to prove hazardous if the projector is switched on immediately after it, the lamp will burst due to climatic extreme. It becomes mandatory to leave the projector in a cool place for a while for it to attain the room temperature and work efficiently.

• Carry a spare bulb

  It is advisable to carry a spare bulb with you when you are to make a presentation, though there are some lamp hours left, it might let you down by some malfunctioning attributed to the lamp. Hence it becomes safe to carry a bulb along with the manual and some technical insight into the replacement procedure.