Hey guys,

Im currently in the process of finishing my HT room. I know i want to have the projector plugged into a ups, however I'm having a hard time figuring out the placement of the UPS....What would you guys do?

Im only interested in the UPS for the event that if i do have a power failure, I will at least have a few min to soft power off the projector to save bulb life etc.

I quickly just know drew out a picture to clarify what the room kinda looks like and how it is wired. I know its SUPER Crappy cheesy pic, but just quickly threw it together.

What do you guys think? Any ideas?

I'd put the UPS down with the computer/office gear, and run power to the PJ using something like this: http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/wallplates-a-v/powerbridge/powerbridge-in-wall-power-cable-system-pbiw/prodPBIW.html

(I just shopped for the right thing, not the best price, so you might be able to find it cheaper.)

Thanks for the reply. I'm just not sure how i would adapt the power bridge for my application.

Would the power bridge replace my receptacle in the ceiling for the PJ, then where...lol

Thanks for the reply. I'm just not sure how i would adapt the power bridge for my application.

Would the power bridge replace my receptacle in the ceiling for the PJ, then where...lol

So here's how this power bridge thing works:
You need a standard receptacle at your UPS location (probably your A/V rack). You plug the UPS into that receptacle.

Then, you have Romex running from the A/V rack to the projector location. You'll notice there are two wall plates for the power bridge, the female plate (the normal looking receptacle) goes on the ceiling near the projector. The male plate is at the A/V rack, plugged into one of your UPS supply receptacles via an extension cord.

By doing this, you are feeding the receptacle near the projector through the UPS.

Hope that's clear. Any diagram I would attempt to draw will probably only be worse :)

AHHHHH...i see. So luckily I already have the romex run from behind where the A/V rack will go hanging down to where the projector is. So in summary my next steps would be to:
- install the male powerbridge plate on the wall into one of the boxes behind the av rack (see pic)
- then install the female pwrbridge plate in ceiling near projector.
- get ups, plug into the regular power receptacle, and one pwr cable from UPS into pwr bridge wall plate hence feeding the PJ?

Pretty much what you said i guess....

You got it :D

Perfect! thanks a lot.

ps - just edited out a stupid question/statement that would have made be out to be a guy who should definitely not be building his own theater room...lol, let alone doing his own electrical..LOL....

I presume this is either a big UPS or a very low power projector.

I presume this is either a big UPS or a very low power projector.

I have a fairly small UPS and it works fine for cooling off the projector bulb. My projector is the only thing connected to the UPS. When power goes out I just turn off the projector. I keep a small LED flashlight handy in the theater.

I'm gonna use whatever it takes. Since this method (above) will be the one i use, the UPS will sit in or near my AV rack and I will then have everything and Projector running through ups if possible. If not everything, at least my receiver and projector.

I will then have everything and Projector running through ups if possible. If not everything, at least my receiver and projector.

Why anything other than the projector? You will have to have a really big unit if you want to keep your theater up and running during a power failure.

Most of us are just concerned with getting the projector through the cool down cycle to avoid any internal damage.

How important is it that the fan continue to run in order to cool down the bulb in the event of power failure? Wouldn't the ambient room temperature eventually cool the bulb? I would guess damage would occur if you powered on the projector and energized the bulb before it was allowed to cool properly. Any thoughts on this?

I'm not an expert, but I did stay at Holiday Inn Express and I have read a couple of explanations of this issue.

When the bulb is lit it gives off heat. The circulating air keeps the bulb and surroundings at a certain maximum temperature designed by the manufacturer.

If you suddenly lose power and air circulation the bulb temperature and the surrounding projector parts (think$$$) heat up to a level greater than the normal maximum operating temperature. That's even with the bulb off. The heat energy that was generated immediately prior to the the power failure hasn't been dissipated by the circulating air.

So to avoid this you power the cool down fan with a battery back up. Of course you need to switch off the bulb by turning off the projector immediately to engage the cool down cycle.

Why anything other than the projector? You will have to have a really big unit if you want to keep your theater up and running during a power failure.

Most of us are just concerned with getting the projector through the cool down cycle to avoid any internal damage.

Sorry i should have clarifed....I was thinking that for the a/v equipment it would be good to have them running of a UPS with surge protection, but I suppose i could simply get a dedicated surge strip etc for that equip.

anyone know where i can get one of these PowerBridge recessed outlets? Specifically in Canada???

THanks...lookging to pick one up quick

It was pointed out in this thread

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=886088


that it doesn't make sense for a fan to run to keep the bulb from overheating (see the thread for detailed discussion -- but in short, the hottest thing in the PJ (i.e., the bulb) isn't going to get hotter after the heat source (power) is removed.).

Instead one poster reported that PJ mfrs have stated to him that the fan cools the PJ when it is turned off b/c the PJ can't restart while it is hot -- it can only start when cool. So in order to be turned back on again shortly after being turned off, it must be cooled quickly.

Other posters reasoned that an additional possible benefit of the fan would be to cool the non-lamp parts of the PJ (i.e., the parts (circuit boards, other components near the lamp) that themselves don't make the heat, but may absorb too much heat from a still hot lamp if there were no fan running.

But I didn't see any good reason to believe that that temperature increase to non lamp components would be large (it would be distributed over many many things) or worth worrying about. It could be, but I haven't seen anything persuasive to show that it is.

Has anyone had any real experience with a PJ malfunctioning do to excess heat from a power cutoff?

Also, Sony, for example, explicity warns that UPSs that use modified sine waves (most consumer models) may damage its projectors:

"The UPS, power generator, or power inverter must meet the voltage and current requirements of your device. It is preferred and recommended for the power to be a pure sine wave. UPS, power generator, and power inverter design varies greatly and undesired operation or damage may result from units that utilize a 'modified sine wave'. Because of this we cannot make any recommendation on their use.

"NOTE: Sony does not recommend or support the use of any power source other than the specified voltage requirements for the device. These specifications are based on the direct ac power source. "

http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=C460119&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_KNOWLEDGEARTICLES_1_1&dialogID=30855953&stateId=0%200%2030867827


Others have stated in another thread: "some manufacturers have stated that the power off fan was just for quick restart and that other manufacturers have stated that the power off fan was for thermal control. "

So has anyone had any experience with damage to a PJ from a UPS, or not using a UPS during a power outage?

sdmfer
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Barrie, Ontario


Another man representing the great town that is Barrie. :)

If you get stuck and need with installation hand drop me a PM. I carry an electrical license and would be glad to help you out.

anyone know where i can get one of these PowerBridge recessed outlets? Specifically in Canada???

THanks...lookging to pick one up quick

You can get pretty much anything you want at the electrical suppliers in Barrie. If they don't carry it, you can rest assured that they can order it. I wouldn't bet my life that they will give you the best price out there, but it may be worth stopping in and seeing what they can do.

My personal fav in Barrie is WestburneRuddy. On Morrow rd. just of Ardagh. It's a quick right turn if your coming from Essa.

Thanks guys for the detailed info.

Smokinghot- small world eh? Thanks for the offer to help. I'm pretty much done the electrical, just have to wire it into the panel now. I dont have a license, but my father and brother are master electricians so that helps when I give them a call for advice lol. I'll checkout that place you recommended. Im not far from there at all, I live off of Big Bay Point rd where they FINALLY finished off that 2 year construction at the bridge...arrgh.

Thanks again guys, gonna grab a few beers now and head down and work with a mitre saw :P. Need to finish off the framing for my door then finish off the insulation in the ceiling.

Have a good one everybody.

Smoking- if you are an expert at drywall/mud/taping, then I could definately use the help..LOL Take care!

That construction sucked... :(

Kinda miss the adrenalin rush of driving through that deep gully during the winter months. They had to fill it in for all the T.O. commuters...lol

lol...yah really