TRUE OR FALSE- The number one cause of lamp failure is mechanical shock.
- The fastest way to cool a lamp is to unplug the projector.
- A typical lamp life is 100 hours.
- The longest lasting projector lamps are halogen-type lamps.
- The most expensive lamp costs as much as the cheapest projector.
ANSWERS
1. FALSE. The number one cause of lamp failure is excessive heat, which is ironic because heat is produced with normal operation of any projector lamp. Any condition that contributes to excessive heat buildup and prevents cooling (e.g., a blocked fan filter) can cause a lamp to fail prematurely.
2. TRUE. However, disconnecting power to a projector without allowing it to go through its normal shutdown procedure causes the glass in the lamp to cool unevenly, which will eventually result in a stress fracture and early lamp failure. Never simply unplug a hot projector.
3. FALSE. It depends on the type, but most projector bulbs should last at least 1,000 hours. However, newer projectors with economy operating modes can extend lamp life up to 6,000 hours.
4. FALSE. Both metal halide and ultra-high performance (UHP) lamps last longer than a typical halogen projector lamp, which only lasts about 70 hours. Metal halide lamps usually last about 1,000 hours, while UHP lamps can last up to 4,000 hours or more.
5. FALSE. At least not yet. The most expensive projector lamps can cost up to $600, while the cheapest projectors are currently hovering around $800.
Sources: AVPartner.com, Just Lamps Inc.