Projector Lamps & Projector Replacement Bulbs!

You may need to purchase a replacement projector lamp if the image on the screen appears to be dim. The image seems to lose its brightness as the lamp gradually loses power. Just like other light bulbs, the projector bulbs do wear out. The standard life of a bulb used in a projector is between 1000 and 2000 hours. Some of the newer models of projectors on the market have lamps that will last as long as 4000 hours. In order to maintain the life of a lamp in your projector, you should operate the projector for no more than five hours a day and the area in which you use it should be as dust-free as possible.

There are other measures you can take to help prolong the life of the lamp.

• Always make sure that projectors do not get overheated.
• Always power down the lamp for a cooling down period before turning it off.
• Clean the air filters in projectors on a regular basis.
• If there is an economy mode on your projection equipment, use it as much as possible.

There are two types of projection lamps that are used in this equipment - halogen and metal halide. Each of these carries different benefits, so you should look at them carefully before you decide which type of projection machine you wish to purchase. The type of lamp is determined by the manufacturer.

Halogen lamps:

• Each bulb lasts about 70 hours.
• The prices are relatively cheap when you have to buy replacements.
• They give off a yellowish light.
• They burn at a steady rate and give off a bright light.

Metal Halide lamps:

• Bulbs last between 1000 and 2000 hours.
• The prices are more expensive.
• Bulbs project a whiter image.
• As the lamp gets older, the image tends to get dimmer.