How To Prolong Your LCD Projector Lamp's Effective Life

For many people, the coming of fall is a delight worth savoring for as long as it lasts. The kids are back to school, football is back on the TV and there is no better time to enjoy home theater than in the cool of day. But this is also the time you should check out your LCD/DLP projector lamps.

A typical DLP/LCD lamp has an effective life of about 2,000 hours. At first glance, this may sound like lengthy time but it is important to bear in mind that the term "effective life" is used to denote the period of time when the lamp is burning at 20% or less of "burnout." After the point is exceeded, the lamp will continue dimming to the point where it is no longer useful.

The good news is that you do not have to use your lamp only for the default effective life period. If you follow the tips given below, you will prolong the effective life of your lamp considerably.

No. 1 - Wear Gloves

Always wear new and dry gloves when installing your new LCD projector lamp. This precaution guarantees that there are no fingerprints or smudges left on the glass. That kind of marks on the glass is often the reasons why lamps develop hot spots after minimal usage leading to eventual failure.

No. 2 - Clean the Air Filter

Remember to always clean the LCD projector's air filters. One of the major causes of overheating of the lamp is filters clogged by dirt, debris and grime.

No. 3 - Be Careful

Be extra careful when replacing an old bulb. If only the bulb is being replaced in an existing lamp housing, it is important to ensure you use just the right amount of tightening on the lamp's terminals. Tightening the lamp too much is wrong but so too is having an inadequately tightened lamp. The bulb is designed to fit intuitively and you will be able to tell once you have the correct fix as it will feel firm. Do not go beyond the exact fit or attempt to loosen it further.

No. 4 - Practice Proper Cooling

After you are done using the projector, do not switch off the entire setup at a go. Switch off the lamp but leave the fan running so it can gradually cool the lamp. This can be accomplished by using the remote control's "off" button. This precaution cannot be overemphasized especially when you consider that the operating temperature of a projector's lamp is several thousand degrees Fahrenheit. As a matter of fact, most lamp failures are caused by very rapid cooling.

No. 5 - Avoid Mechanical Shock

After switching off the lamp, leave the projector in place until the point when you are sure that the lamp has cooled off entirely. Another leading cause of premature projector lamp failure is mechanical shock caused by moving the projector about when the lamp is still hot.

Always replace your projector lamp with a high quality product, and consider OEM or original-bulb replacement lamp modules. This is a recommendation which is well established with a large selection of lamps and bare bulbs. Our lamps are suitable for different projectors as well as rear projection television sets and electronic whiteboards.