View Full Version : Every projector owner's nightmare, or Oops!


bqmeister
01-24-08, 10:13 PM
I last used my projector 6 days ago. 144 hours ago, give or take.
I had about 350 hours on my bulb.

Today I get back to my media room and now I've got well over 500 hours on my bulb.
I left the damn thing on! I swore I turned it off, but obviously not.

I'm not really sweating for a couple of reasons. 1, it's been really cool here. The projector/bulb never had a chance to get too hot. 2, I've got a DLP. Say what you will, but everything I've read led me to believe an LCD projector would've likely had some damage.

Either way, this is a mistake I WON'T be repeating.

CMRA
01-24-08, 10:43 PM
I last used my projector 6 days ago. 144 hours ago, give or take.
I had about 350 hours on my bulb.

Today I get back to my media room and now I've got well over 500 hours on my bulb.
I left the damn thing on! I swore I turned it off, but obviously not.

I'm not really sweating for a couple of reasons. 1, it's been really cool here. The projector/bulb never had a chance to get too hot. 2, I've got a DLP. Say what you will, but everything I've read led me to believe an LCD projector would've likely had some damage.

Either way, this is a mistake I WON'T be repeating.

So, you went six days WITHOUT front projection? That has to hurt.:D

bqmeister
01-24-08, 11:59 PM
Part of the downside of having a projector in a detached room and having young kids.

The upside (or so I thought) was I'd rack up the hours on the projector slowly. 150 hours later though...
:(

Pic still looks fantastic though!

bud16415
01-25-08, 08:57 AM
After reading your post I think I’ll not leave the projector remote on the coffee table from now on. The worst I could go would be 12 hours though because my room gets used for multi things everyday.

Sorry to hear about your Oops …..:(

bqmeister
01-25-08, 10:21 AM
I always check it when I turn it off. How I missed it this time I'm not really sure. But like I said, it's a good wake up call. A mistake that won't be repeated.
And the projector doesn't seem any worse for the wear.

Going from Friday morning at around 8am to Thursday evening around 11:30pm - wow.

Maybe I still ought to start saving for a replacement bulb, just in case.

whitesoxwin
01-25-08, 10:39 AM
I always check it when I turn it off. How I missed it this time I'm not really sure. But like I said, it's a good wake up call. A mistake that won't be repeated.
And the projector doesn't seem any worse for the wear.

Going from Friday morning at around 8am to Thursday evening around 11:30pm - wow.

Maybe I still ought to start saving for a replacement bulb, just in case.

We have a big jar with a slot cut in the lid that I use for a "projector fund" in the HT. Every time I watch a movie I put a buck in. I plan on using the money for either a bulb or projector replacement at some point.

Just an idea...

bqmeister
01-25-08, 11:00 AM
I've heard that idea. I really really should implement it.

Redbird
01-25-08, 11:10 AM
We have a big jar with a slot cut in the lid that I use for a "projector fund" in the HT. Every time I watch a movie I put a buck in. I plan on using the money for either a bulb or projector replacement at some point.

Just an idea...


Ohh, what a great idea. I've been keeping a "Movies We Watched" list to show the wife how much use we would get out of a projector. Wish I had thought of that too now that. We're up to 475 and counting...maybe I'll have to make some catch-up contributions to my "time to upgrade the projector" fund :D

FWIW, even keeping a list does NOT prevent a user from re-renting a BAD movie they've already watched! :o

jrwhite
01-25-08, 11:37 AM
Hi Bqmeister,

I'm not sure what pj you have, but both my Mits and Epson have 'sleep' timers that will shut them down if there is no source for x minutes.

Jonathan

dubyahJay
01-25-08, 11:37 AM
Does your projector have an "auto off if no signal present" setting? I use my PJ everyday in a multipurpose room so I dont have a need for it. But that would definitely help you avoid this again.

Steve Scherrer
01-25-08, 11:46 AM
I've left the pj on overnight before, and felt pretty crappy about--but not for six days! Yikes!

But the good news is that the bulk of wear on a projector bulb occurs upon ignition, not while the bulb is on.

Good idea about the upgrade jar. I am clamoring to upgrade (figured I would after 3 years), but now it has been three years, and I still enjoy my picture. It is hard for me to justify dropping more into it when I still really enjoy the picture...

ktoolsie
01-25-08, 02:49 PM
I last used my projector 6 days ago. 144 hours ago, give or take.
I had about 350 hours on my bulb.

Today I get back to my media room and now I've got well over 500 hours on my bulb.
I left the damn thing on! I swore I turned it off, but obviously not.


Did you by any chance have a power outage that night.

My Infocus projector has an auto-power on setting. In this mode, your projector will automatically power on when power is first applied to the projector. The problem is that this, includes power being restored after an interrupt.

So it is possible that you really did switch off your PJ after using it, but a power interruption at your mains caused it to turn itself back on after power was restored to your home.

jcavner
01-25-08, 02:51 PM
We have a big jar with a slot cut in the lid that I use for a "projector fund" in the HT. Every time I watch a movie I put a buck in. I plan on using the money for either a bulb or projector replacement at some point.

Just an idea...

I do that too!

bqmeister
01-25-08, 03:30 PM
Did you by any chance have a power outage that night.

My Infocus projector has an auto-power on setting. In this mode, your projector will automatically power on when power is first applied to the projector. The problem is that this, includes power being restored after an interrupt.

So it is possible that you really did switch off your PJ after using it, but a power interruption at your mains caused it to turn itself back on after power was restored to your home.

We've had bad weather, but none of my kitchen clocks reset in the house so that seems unlikely.