When to change a Projector Bulb ?

[phillihp23]

My projector says to change the bulb. Does that mean I need to change the bulb? Are there risks if I don't?

 

[Prof.]

The only risk is if the bulb unexpectedly explodes and you have glass in the projector to clean out..
Other than that, if you don't have a replacement bulb on hand..no more movies until you get a new one!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I would buy a new one, take the old one out and save it for a backup. Then when the new one finally goes out, pop the old one back in until you get another one ordered.

 

[Prof.]

That's exactly what I planned to do with my bulb..Only problem was that the bulb burnt out before the new one arrived!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I just noticed I have 1984 hours on my Panasonic 8000... and that's in just 3 years.

 

[Prof.]

That reminds me I must check my useage..I used to wait until the bulb started to dim, but last time it burnt out while it was still quite bright!

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

Change it sooner than later. Like Sonnie said, you will have a backup. Plus you will be pleasantly surprised by the increase in output with the new lamp. They do dim gradually so you don't really notice it.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

The better question is how many LSU fans does it take to change a projector bulb?

Spoiler

I have no idea either. Roll Tide!

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

At least we know what those multi-digit numbers mean. They made the alerts that it is time to change the lamp for dem Bama boys.

 

[Todd Anderson]

My projector says to change the bulb. Does that mean I need to change the bulb? Are there risks if I don't?

Have you checked the number of hours logged on your current bulb? I'd be curious to know.

 

[phillihp23]

I will check the hours and report back...when I get home from work.

 

[phillihp23]

4007 HR.....approximately 4yrs.

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

That is a lot of hours for any lamp. I would definitely replace it soon.

 

[phillihp23]

On the pani PTAE7000U do you need to remove the projector from the ceiling to change the bulb? Is the bulb installed from the bottom of the projector?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Yeah... that's a ton of time. If you put a new (quality...preferably OEM) lamp in, you're going to see an entirely different picture. I changed the bulb every 1,000 hours on my old JVC RS45. Perhaps that my AV OCD rearing its ugly head, but I felt that the 1000 hour mark was about the point the brightness dropped to a point that had to move out of low lamp mode.

I'm not sure about changing the bulb... I believe it should be accessible from the rear?? Or the bottom... can't remember which

 

[phillihp23]

Yeah... that's a ton of time. If you put a new (quality...preferably OEM) lamp in, you're going to see an entirely different picture. I changed the bulb every 1,000 hours on my old JVC RS45. Perhaps that my AV OCD rearing its ugly head, but I felt that the 1000 hour mark was about the point the brightness dropped to a point that had to move out of low lamp mode.

I'm not sure about changing the bulb... I believe it should be accessible from the rear?? Or the bottom... can't remember which

I have a new OEM bulb on hand. WOW, you changed your bulb every 1000 hrs, that must get expensive. I'm pretty sure I have been running it in high mode.

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

If a lamp costs $400, 1000 hours is 40 cents an hour, far cheaper than going to a movie.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I don't think the lamps for my RS 45 cost that much... maybe $150?

 

[phillihp23]

I don't think the lamps for my RS 45 cost that much... maybe $150?

The OE replacement bulb I just bought a month ago for my PT-AE 7000U cost $350.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Wow. That's expensive!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Maybe I'm misremembering what I paid....

 

[NBPK402]

I just noticed I have 1984 hours on my Panasonic 8000... and that's in just 3 years.

I had 5k in 2 years on my ae8000.

 

[NBPK402]

Change it sooner than later. Like Sonnie said, you will have a backup. Plus you will be pleasantly surprised by the increase in output with the new lamp. They do dim gradually so you don't really notice it.

Yup, when I changed mine it was like getting a new projector... I hadn't noticed the loss of lumens since it was gradual.

 

[phillihp23]

So changed the bulb out today, and filter.
The filter definitely does its job...

 

[Todd Anderson]

WHOA!!!! Look at that filter! Good thing you checked it ;-)