[video_bit_bucket]

I have searched the forum and can only find but one instance of a failing bulb damaging a PJ. That instance seemed to involve extenuating circumstances.


Does anyone have practical experience that would suggest that I should change the bulb at 1,500 hours rather than when it dies or becomes too dim?


My Infocus 777 is asking for a new bulb, the image is plenty bright so unless there is real risk in damaging the unit with a bulb failure I plan to keep using the PJ and ignore the 10 second change bulb warning on startup.

 

[Kensmith48]

We had a projector at work in the lunchroom that was on 24/7 and it displayed the "replace lamp" for approx. a year before mgt. bought a new proj. Not sure if the proj. was bad or if they couldn't find a bulb for it.

 

[Tolstoi]

The worst risk is to have a lamp explosion. In this case even if there is internal protection around the lamp, there is always risk of internal damage to the projector.

 

[Tryg]

I would replace the lamp 5 minutes before it blows.

 

[mark haflich]

Tryg is showing increased conservatism as he ages rather uncracefully at that. In his younger days, I think he would have said 2 minutes before it blows. Seriously, lamps can exploud though it is a relatively rare event. when a lamp has reached its rated life, it popbably won`t get any dimmer and in facts it brightness probably has been almost constant for quite some time. So you can continue for some substantial time watching a dim bulb with some chance of an explosion causing internal damage and possibly external damage.

 

[RonF]

Tryg where is that photo you posted back in the day with the JVC G-series that showed what could happen if one did explode......

 

[Jive Turkey]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mark haflich /forum/post/18189387


So you can continue for some substantial time watching a dim bulb with some chance of an explosion causing internal damage and possibly external damage.

I think I work with a couple of folks like that.

 

[mbonikow]

The ratings on lamps are very conservative, due to people turning pj's on and off a lot. Initial strike kills the life of the lamp. In continued operation they are rated for around 5K from what I remember. Look up Phillips UHP lamp technology and white papers if interested. I'd say if it's not flickering, and it's still plenty bright then the small risk might be worth it for another 1K.

 

[73shark]

Not sure trying to get the last bit of life out of a bulb worth $300-$400 is worth the risk to a PJ that may cost $2K and up.

 

[Wrager]

I have had the lamp suddenly go out twice (after many hours) on my RPDLPTV. Never an issue. I'm on my fourth lamp.

 

[mark haflich]

The issue is not whether someone has repeadetly done it on one machine without an explosion. It`s a question of risk with respect to one particular model of projector.

 

[video_bit_bucket]

Thanks to everyone for there input. Looking forward to other experiences and opinions.

 

[video_bit_bucket]

The bulb is 715 US delivered and rated for 1,500 hours. So just adding 100 hours makes me feel a little better about the cost.


This bulb has lasted about 16 months so my bulb cost is way under my cable cost if you want to look at it one way.


Originally I had planned to use an existing 50 inch RP set that I already had for casual viewing and reserve the PJ for "events". For a variety of reasons some technical and some lifestyle it is getting a lot more use than I had anticipated. In the scope of things it is not a huge deal.


I just hate to throw out a working bulb because a counter says it is time. But then I reset the water filter counter on the refrigerator a couple of times and when the water flow drops off replace it. I do not cut the rotors on brake pad replacement as a matter of routine either. Our Sequoia would need a pair of front hubs and rotors (300+ a side) if I had followed the recommended service practice. The rotors have never been cut and are working just fine thank you. Just the kind of whatever (cheep, frugal .....) person I am.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 73shark /forum/post/18190256


Not sure trying to get the last bit of life out of a bulb worth $300-$400 is worth the risk to a PJ that may cost $2K and up.

 

[video_bit_bucket]

We have a one strike a day rule.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mbonikow /forum/post/18190141


The ratings on lamps are very conservative, due to people turning pj's on and off a lot. Initial strike kills the life of the lamp. In continued operation they are rated for around 5K from what I remember. Look up Phillips UHP lamp technology and white papers if interested. I'd say if it's not flickering, and it's still plenty bright then the small risk might be worth it for another 1K.

 

[video_bit_bucket]

Good point but then what excuse would I use for a PJ upgrade if it lasted toooooo long. In this case it is more a guilt issue for not being careful enough because risk might precipitate an upgrade. The real problem is while this is only a 720 PJ it is a 3 chip DLP and very bright. Not sure what I would replace it with and get the same character of image in my price range.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mark haflich /forum/post/18194370


the issue is not whether someone has repeadetly done it on one machine without an explosion. its a question of risk with respect to one particular model of projector.

 

[mbonikow]

It looks like the lamp is a standard 250W UHP from a quick look on the internet. Pull it out of the casing (just don't put fingertips on its surface) and write down the #'s, should be Osram or Phillips. I have swapped lamps from diff. manufacturers btw pj's with no problem. You should be able to match from say Optoma or Benq lamps that sell on Ebay for under $200. I once bought 15 Optoma H57 bulbs about 4 years ago for $125 each. They are still used in most of the DLP pj's today, I've used them over the years. Just another "frugal" option

 

[73shark]



Quote:
Originally Posted by video_bit_bucket /forum/post/18194944


The real problem is while this is only a 720 PJ it is a 3 chip DLP and very bright. Not sure what I would replace it with and get the same character of image in my price range.

ViewSonic Pro8100 at J&R and Tigerdirect for ~$1,199. Not sure if that's your price range tho.

 

[Brian Hampton]

Hey,


I would say there is a risk you will forget the performance your projector is capable of.


Over time you may adjust to a dimmer picture. When you put in a replacement bulb you may be like

-Brian

 

[Tolstoi]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mbonikow /forum/post/18195971


It looks like the lamp is a standard 250W UHP from a quick look on the internet. Pull it out of the casing (just don't put fingertips on its surface) and write down the #'s, should be Osram or Phillips. I have swapped lamps from diff. manufacturers btw pj's with no problem. You should be able to match from say Optoma or Benq lamps that sell on Ebay for under $200. I once bought 15 Optoma H57 bulbs about 4 years ago for $125 each. They are still used in most of the DLP pj's today, I've used them over the years. Just another "frugal" option

For peoples who want to just change the bulb this is the way to go. In the past I order replacement bulb from a seller who guarantee that it was the same bulb but when I install it I find out it was not even from the same manufacturer. I did a test ant that bulb was giving me severe posterisation issue. Check the bulb manufacturer and model before ordering.

 

[video_bit_bucket]

I got my new bulb in today and decided at 1,585 hours not to risk it and put the new one in. My feeling is that while damage is rare people who have seen a lot of PJ's have seen instances where damage occurred when the bulb failed.


The new bulb did pick up the brightness a bit as it did last time a new bulb was put in. It was plenty bright before but the improvement is noticeable.


Thanks to everyone who responded.