Each projector lamp is accompanied by the number of hours that it is expected to last, in ideal conditions. This is stated as “lamp life” in the product’s description or warranty. The norm was the lamp life of between 2,000 hours. Modern lamps tend to be more efficient and last more time, even up to 5,000 hours in some cases.
However, those days are over as modern projectors are equipped with an LED lamp that can last for up to 60,000 hours (maybe more depending on the manufacturer). It is possible to think of this as the highest number of hours that your lamp will last. Don’t expect it to always be able to meet this standard.
Different Types of Projector Lamps
In general, there are four different types of bulb technologies and light sources that are used in projectors for example:
- Metal Halide Lamps
- Ultra High Performance Lamps
- LED Projector Lamps
- Laser Projection Technology
A brief description about these projection light sources is provided below:
1. Metal Halide Lamps
Metal Halide Lamps are the most enduring and the most efficient light source for the projector. They were developed in the 1960s. metal halide lamps use a gaseous mix consisting of mercury that has been vaporized as well as metal Halides which produce light via an electric light arc.
The Metal Halide lamps are often employed in public or commercial space such as parking lots or sporting arenas, retail stores and residential homes, among others.
They also serve as headlights for cars and find them into commercial projectors. In the last few years, metal halide lamps were employed in consumer grade projectors. They are used in old or cheap projectors.
Metal Halide Lamps offer the highest brightness when compared with alternative projector light bulbs. The metal halide lamp can offer 75 to 100 lumens of brightness for every Watt. The use of the lamp will depend on its usage. the metal halide lamp will keep going through a dimmer and dimmer change throughout its life time. It is expected to last for between 1000 and 5000 hours based on different circumstances and use
2. Ultra High Performance Lamps (UHP)
Philips created Ultra High Performance Lamps in 1995. UHPs were designed as an energy-efficient replacement for metal halide lamps that can be utilized in commercial and cinema home projectors.
It features an ultra-high-pressure mercury arsenal lamp which lasts longer and uses less energy as metal halide lamps. Alongside Philips and a few others, only a few companies make UHP lamps such as Osram, Panasonic, Epson and others.
Based upon what projector and lamp mode , a UHP lamp will last between 4000 and 15000 hours. Benq projectors have an LampSave mode that lowers the brightness by 70 percent and is able to be used for as long as 15,000 hours.
Similar to this, at the close of its entire rated lamp life, a UHP lamp will begin to dim, in turn, the projector will inform you that it’s time for a change of the lamp.
The majority of modern projectors use UHP lamps to reduce the price and provide a bright projector that can be used during the day or in natural lighting conditions.
3. LED Projector Lamp
The LED projector lamps can be described as the best and most affordable light projector technology. LED projector lamps are available in projectors priced at as low as $50. LED lamps are less expensive to make and have most long lamp life hours that all different light technology for projection. Because LED lamps emit little or no heat they have discovered their application in small and portable projectors which can be easily tucked into your pocket.
Led projector lamps have plenty of advantages over metal halide and UHP lamps such as:
- Cost-effective to manufacture
- It can be used to extend the hours of operation
- Does not require a start-up or cooling time
- It’s not that hot.
- Lasts between 30,000 and 60,000 hours.
- The size is small, making it perfect for small-sized pocket projectors
- Will outlast the projector’s whole duration of life
However, metal halide and UHP projector lamps provide brightness ranging from 2200 and 4500 lumens, in contrast the budget projectors equipped with LED projection lamps are limited to 500 lumens of maximum brightness.
Therefore, you’ll require a dark space for the most brilliant image from an LED-inspiring projector.
4. Laser Projection Technology
In lieu of the typical lamp or bulb instead, a laser projector makes use of laser beams as an light source for projecting images onto a projected surface. Laser technology is generally employed in commercial settings as it can be hazardous. However, laser projectors make use of Class 1 safety standards for lasers. Therefore, they are absolutely safe to use without any safety precautions.
Vava VA-LT002 is currently the most well-known laser projector that can cost upwards of $2500. The projector has been rated to provide an output of 2500 lumens and the manufacturer claims that it will last for up to 25000 hours.
Another laser projectors from LG and Optoma are priced from as low as $1000, and have a maximum brightness ranging from 1500 to 4000 lumens. These projectors are designed to last for between 15,000 and 30,000 hours at maximum.
Furthermore the laser projectors are secure to use in a residential environment. They start up instantly and don’t produce more heat than the metal halide and UHP counterparts.
However projectors with lasers projectors are heavier than other projectors models. Laser projectors utilize multiple optics which make them heavier and include a variety of other options.
How do I know when it is time to replace Bulb?
Projector lamps can dim to 50 percent of their original brightness as they get older.
The high-pressure mercury and metal halide projector lamps will gradually reduce the projected brightness as they lose energy and pressure begins to build in the bulb.
The dimming could be gradual at first. It’s also not helped that your eyes can adapt to various light conditions, including low-light conditions, if given enough time to get used to it. The only time it takes is after quite a while that the half-life of the lamp is achieved and the dimming effect gets to the point where it’s difficult to overlook.
In rare instances it is possible that the lamp could fail altogether at the end of its life due to temperature stress. It’s less expensive to replace the bulb rather than replacing a complete lamp so keep an eye out for this. A lot of projectors have built-in lamp counter that lets you to recognize the time when you need for you to replace the bulb. The counter resets each when you change the lamp bulb is replaced. There are other models that require you to replace the entire lamp instead of only the bulb.
Take a look at go through the user guide or manual that was supplied with the projector to get more information about the lamp hour feature. If you’re not able to locate the counter or have lost the user manual, then you should call an lamp specialist or OEM customer service to get additional information.
In the event of different lamps:
Modern modern projectors come with a lamp hour counter. This feature is accessible through within the system settings or menu of the projector. The numbers on this counter are the hours during which the projector is in operation until that time.
Subtract this number from the recommended lamp duration determined by the manufacturer in order to determine whether it’s appropriate to replace the lamp or not. Go through the user guide for information about this feature.
How do I help the lamp to last for longer?
Here is an outline of preventative steps you can adopt to decrease the chance that your standard projector lamp not working properly in the first place:
- Don’t allow the projector to get too hot; the most common cause of lamp failing causes excessive temperature stress.
- Let to allow the projector lamp to cool for at least 10 minutes following switching off, but do not shift your projector during this time, or when the lamp is running. The lamp is more prone to damage while hot.
- Use your projector in a relatively dust-free environment, clean space to avoid the blockages of the fan blades or air filters. They should be maintained on a regular basis.
- Make sure there is plenty of room around the projector’s exhaust fan or fan so that excess heat can be dispersed effectively.
- Make use of to use “lamp economy mode” if it is offered by the projector model and is appropriate to your needs. This mode will reduce projector brightness however your lamp will last more time.
- Do not abandon the projector in extremely hot or very cold surroundings such as the car during a winter or summer day.
Projector Bulb Frequently Asked Questions
What will it cost a replacement projector lamp?
A lot of projector users are shocked when they learn how they will be charged for replacing an light bulb may cost them. What they may not know is that the price has dropped dramatically in the last few years.
At present, projector bulbs are priced at less than $300. However, the majority of them are priced between $300 and $400. This price will remain for a long time. (6)
How do I alter the lamp on my projector’s bulb?
The process of changing an projector lamp is a pretty simple procedure. If the bulb is burning out when the projector is being used then turn off the lamp, unplug the cord, and then wait until it cools completely.
The lamp you purchase will come with a screwdriver in it. Use it in order to remove the screw that is holding it in place. bulb.
Screws also hold in place the projector’s lamp housing. Be careful to loosen them up in order to avoid damaging the lamp. When all screws are loose, take the lamp’s housing from the projector and then remove it with force.
Next, put the new bulb inside the projector and then move it around. This will ensure that it is in complete contact with the internal component.
Once your new bulb is installed put the screws back in place and you’re now all set to turn the video projector. Before you turn it on next time, ensure that you set your lamp counter.
While certain projectors can instantly reset the lamp counter, others have to manually reset the counter. In order to do that, go into the projector menus, and then look for the option that allows you to reset the counter to zero.
What is the best place to purchase an projector bulb?
There are plenty of sites on the internet that you can purchase the projector bulb and lamp. But, it’s important to note that there is no one single place that is the best for each video projector. This means that you’ll need to take into consideration the manufacturer of the equipment you own as well as your requirements and needs.
Furthermore, the most effective option is to purchase your replacement on a website or an established supplier in the field.
Final Words
Contrary to a television which doesn’t need replacement of internal components The projector comes with the lamp which must be replaced after the certain period.
The kind of lamp is the main factor that called lamp life therefore, be cautious when selecting the right projector that is suitable for your.
Projectors equipped with Metal Halide Lamp are cheap when compared to projectors that have LED and LASER Lamp however, they do not last for long.
They are, however, great for people who utilize projectors often.
If you intend to utilize this projector for a considerable period of time the LED Lamp Projectors would be the ideal option for you. They are astonishingly efficient.
This is everything to do with projector lamp lifespan. lamp on the projector and the time it will last.