OHP Mod

[Daggasalmon]

I bought a 3M 9800 (6000 lumens) OHP - It comes with a 400W/32V EVD lamp that has a short lifespan (25 hrs high, 100 hrs low setting). Is it possible to use a metal halide replacement for better lifespan/lighting quality? If so, what mods will be required to the OHP and which makes of MH are suitable? Sorry for posting these questions in this forum - the "Lighting & OHP" forum seems to have poor/low activity (= poor response). I read in the "Things Newbies should know" section that the lifespan of the MH is 10000+ hrs - is this correct? Should it be 1000+ instead? Also, the postings recommended to keep away from OHPs with 50 hr bulbs - Is it cheaper/easier to consider an OHP with 50hr bulbs and then mod it to use, say MH, versus buying an MH type OHP? Looking forward to your responses smash:

[SGSeeker]

you know that checkbox you checked? "Have you Searched?"

Search! This topic has been covered who knows how many times over the last few years. Its called retrofitting - as long as you get a bulb that can sit at the current bulb's position, it'll light up evenly just fine. Do a search and find out what you need to do to setup a metal halide (yes the hours per bulb are typically 10-20k when left on for hours at a time and given time to cool before turning back on) bulb - you just need the bulb, a ballast (the expensive part), a base to screw or plug the bulb into (depending on type), and possibly some wires.

Pretty much every other question you may have has already been covered. Do a few searches and you'll find all you need to know here. This includes such things as making sure the bulb's lined up with the fresnel's focal point which you'll need to do if you switch to a custom MH setup (the main problem you'll run into if you're keeping the rest of the overhead stock)