Am considering making my own projector using a OHP and 15" LCD for a few reasons, one of which was that I thought it would be cheaper to run, however im now finding that cheal halogen lamps only last about 100hrs which is useless and ends up costing just as much as peoper projector lamp replacements, and haladi's lasting 1000hrs (half the time or official projectors) but also costing half as much as official replacements.
Am I wrong in either of these cases, and if im right, is there some way/other light source to make the cost/hr cheaper (with relation to lamp replacements).
Lastly a noob question: If I buy a projector with a halogen light, will it be simple to change it to a haladi lamp or does this require a bit of work.
Cheers
Am I wrong in either of these cases, and if im right, is there some way/other light source to make the cost/hr cheaper (with relation to lamp replacements).
Lastly a noob question: If I buy a projector with a halogen light, will it be simple to change it to a haladi lamp or does this require a bit of work.
Cheers
cheaper lamps
If you look at exclusiv-online.com, they have 250 Watt and 400 Watt metal halide arc lamps that run for 12000 hours (not 1200). The Ushio retrofit lamps run for 15000 and 20000 hours!
You do have to buy a ballast kit for any of these, but they give you very good light, lots of it, for very little cost per hour. They are also some of the most efficient lamps made, in terms of lumens per Watt. (Just in case your electricity is not free.)
If you look at exclusiv-online.com, they have 250 Watt and 400 Watt metal halide arc lamps that run for 12000 hours (not 1200). The Ushio retrofit lamps run for 15000 and 20000 hours!
You do have to buy a ballast kit for any of these, but they give you very good light, lots of it, for very little cost per hour. They are also some of the most efficient lamps made, in terms of lumens per Watt. (Just in case your electricity is not free.)
Sweet, thanks for the link mate 🙂 60 Euro ($100AU) for a lamp that lasts 12000hrs is awsome 🙂.
One of these should fit inside a OHP with no prob yeah 🙂?, ill get a few case fans to keep the LCD pannel cool.
Just a few Qs about those kits if u can help.
1) Would the 250W be Bright enough if I can keep the room reasonably dim.
2) The power supply they come with, is that the "ballast"?
3) The IR/UV filter, where would I place this, between the light and the glass pannel on the OHP?
Thx again for the link! 😀
One of these should fit inside a OHP with no prob yeah 🙂?, ill get a few case fans to keep the LCD pannel cool.
Just a few Qs about those kits if u can help.
1) Would the 250W be Bright enough if I can keep the room reasonably dim.
2) The power supply they come with, is that the "ballast"?
3) The IR/UV filter, where would I place this, between the light and the glass pannel on the OHP?
Thx again for the link! 😀
Hey
coooljono,
I am interested and am in the process of doing the same thing as you.
When you are done with your re-fit, how about sharing the information on how it went?
I just order an OHP from ebay and am waiting for it to arrive...
Thanks
coooljono,
I am interested and am in the process of doing the same thing as you.
When you are done with your re-fit, how about sharing the information on how it went?
I just order an OHP from ebay and am waiting for it to arrive...
Thanks
cool 🙂
will be a couple of weeks before im ready to build yet 😛.
I read that u will need a OHP with a metal base as a plastic base willl melt with these lamps. What im trying to find out now is whether OHPs that already have say a 575W Metal Halide lamp will work fine with a 250-400W lamp without changing the ballast, or whether it still needs to be changed.
have come to the conclusion that the power supply is the ballast, just a different name for it, however am still unsure of the fitting of the IR/UV filter and whether its nessassary for all 250W lamps.
I read that with a 250W producing 20,000lumens, 2000 make it through which is fine so am most likely gona get a 250W lamp/ballast as it uses less power, creates less heat, and thus needs less fans producing less noise, however, some people have said 400W is the only way to go and that 250W not 250W (however these comments are from old old posts, and also im not sure on whether the people actually tried 250W lamps or made up their minds based on the results of the 400W lamps they used).
will be a couple of weeks before im ready to build yet 😛.
I read that u will need a OHP with a metal base as a plastic base willl melt with these lamps. What im trying to find out now is whether OHPs that already have say a 575W Metal Halide lamp will work fine with a 250-400W lamp without changing the ballast, or whether it still needs to be changed.
have come to the conclusion that the power supply is the ballast, just a different name for it, however am still unsure of the fitting of the IR/UV filter and whether its nessassary for all 250W lamps.
I read that with a 250W producing 20,000lumens, 2000 make it through which is fine so am most likely gona get a 250W lamp/ballast as it uses less power, creates less heat, and thus needs less fans producing less noise, however, some people have said 400W is the only way to go and that 250W not 250W (however these comments are from old old posts, and also im not sure on whether the people actually tried 250W lamps or made up their minds based on the results of the 400W lamps they used).
1) Would the 250W be Bright enough if I can keep the room reasonably dim.
I use a 250 Watt Ushio with my 15" LCD to make a 95" image. I wish I had gone with the 400 Watt: I need a dark room to see a good image.
2) The power supply they come with, is that the "ballast"?
Magnetic or electronic, either can be called a ballast. Electronics are better.
3) The IR/UV filter, where would I place this, between the light and the glass pannel on the OHP?
Yes
4) [Will] OHPs that already have say a 575W Metal Halide lamp will work fine with a 250-400W lamp without changing the ballast?
No, the lamp will explode.
I use a 250 Watt Ushio with my 15" LCD to make a 95" image. I wish I had gone with the 400 Watt: I need a dark room to see a good image.
2) The power supply they come with, is that the "ballast"?
Magnetic or electronic, either can be called a ballast. Electronics are better.
3) The IR/UV filter, where would I place this, between the light and the glass pannel on the OHP?
Yes
4) [Will] OHPs that already have say a 575W Metal Halide lamp will work fine with a 250-400W lamp without changing the ballast?
No, the lamp will explode.
icic, ill be going with a screen of about 80". I'll have np making my room dark, but am a little concerned now, ill try research into this more and see if i can find some pics of the projection with these lamps.
Ahh excelent so it is the ballast, however it dosnt say whether they are magnetic or electronic (http://www.exclusiv-online.com/shop/index.php?main=product&art=LGSETMH)
and ok ill keep clear of placing a lower W lamp in a high Watt ballast 😛
Ahh excelent so it is the ballast, however it dosnt say whether they are magnetic or electronic (http://www.exclusiv-online.com/shop/index.php?main=product&art=LGSETMH)
and ok ill keep clear of placing a lower W lamp in a high Watt ballast 😛
ballast
If exclusiv's kit really looks like the image on their website, then I think it is magnetic. They show an external capacitor and ignitor, and those functions are built in to an electronic ballast.
If exclusiv's kit really looks like the image on their website, then I think it is magnetic. They show an external capacitor and ignitor, and those functions are built in to an electronic ballast.
sorry my ntromission on this trhead but i would like to introduce a new doubt for you;
the lamp life in hours is based on a stated metodology from the manufacturer (maybe 11 hours on 1 off...) so the total hours on the lamp are not always aplicable to our case. I wonder if this is why the comertial projector lamps have so poor life...
the ignition process on the lamp does "kill" the lamp. So much starts will kill the lamp faster. I did some maths once and after assuming couple assumtons, i got to somewhere 7000 hours on the ushio lamp for a 2,5H average on time.
Any input here?
the lamp life in hours is based on a stated metodology from the manufacturer (maybe 11 hours on 1 off...) so the total hours on the lamp are not always aplicable to our case. I wonder if this is why the comertial projector lamps have so poor life...
the ignition process on the lamp does "kill" the lamp. So much starts will kill the lamp faster. I did some maths once and after assuming couple assumtons, i got to somewhere 7000 hours on the ushio lamp for a 2,5H average on time.
Any input here?
ahh i see, well so far thats the best/cheapest place I know withnice small 400W sets. (will cost about $307AU inc post
There is a place here in AUS that sells a kit (excluding the IR/UV filter) for $170AU HERE with a LOBAY metal halide and sylvania lamp, however the lamps are 30cm in length. Here is a link to the lamp specs: http://www.royalwholesale.com/sylvania.htm (the SYLVANIA METALARC). Am I right in assuming that this is 2 large, or will it fit in a OHP with room for a IR/UV filter above it? Im unsure of the life, but im sure it would be at least half if not more, and costs less than half to get.
Ahh cheers Rox, good to know, but still great value.
There is a place here in AUS that sells a kit (excluding the IR/UV filter) for $170AU HERE with a LOBAY metal halide and sylvania lamp, however the lamps are 30cm in length. Here is a link to the lamp specs: http://www.royalwholesale.com/sylvania.htm (the SYLVANIA METALARC). Am I right in assuming that this is 2 large, or will it fit in a OHP with room for a IR/UV filter above it? Im unsure of the life, but im sure it would be at least half if not more, and costs less than half to get.
Ahh cheers Rox, good to know, but still great value.
BTW this is the OHP i have my eyes on (purely because its the one ending soonest) Ive seen some good ones go for $40AU or so, however will go higher), Only down side it the postage is $50 alone 😛
Anyway does this seem like a good OHP to use? and would the 30cm in length bulbs in my above post be suitable for this?
Its current ballast is a 575W with a 575W Metal Halide-lamp, so I would need to swap this for 400W, however maybe I could sell the 575W one to recoop some of my expensed, just maybe 😛.
Feedback 😀?
Anyway does this seem like a good OHP to use? and would the 30cm in length bulbs in my above post be suitable for this?
Its current ballast is a 575W with a 575W Metal Halide-lamp, so I would need to swap this for 400W, however maybe I could sell the 575W one to recoop some of my expensed, just maybe 😛.
Feedback 😀?
I found another site (over seas)m but the prices are good 🙂
http://www.hidirect.com/framesets/ballast.htm = 400W ballast $46.50US - Code: M59 - under "Standard Metal Halide Ballasts"
http://www.hidirect.com/framesets/ballast.htm = 400W metal halide lamp ($25US) - Mogul (E39) model (15000hrs or so life, only 4000k temp but ah well, and 36000lumens, so plenty bright 😀
Ill prob buy 2 lamps at this cost, 1 as a back up.
Gota check out the shipping + how to pay (can u use AUssie credit cards for US sites? and does it incur any extra fees?)
Let us know what U think
Cheers
http://www.hidirect.com/framesets/ballast.htm = 400W ballast $46.50US - Code: M59 - under "Standard Metal Halide Ballasts"
http://www.hidirect.com/framesets/ballast.htm = 400W metal halide lamp ($25US) - Mogul (E39) model (15000hrs or so life, only 4000k temp but ah well, and 36000lumens, so plenty bright 😀
Ill prob buy 2 lamps at this cost, 1 as a back up.
Gota check out the shipping + how to pay (can u use AUssie credit cards for US sites? and does it incur any extra fees?)
Let us know what U think
Cheers
lamp life
You only watch TV 2.5 hours per day? Why bother building a projector? 😀
Just kidding. I bet that the lamp life is not just a certain number of starts. We do use our MH lamps in a different manner than their standard testing method, but I don't think anybody really uses them 11 hours on / 1 hour off. That is just a convenient test cycle they can run twice per day. (Most of these lamps probably are off for 13 hours during the day.)
The failure mode of these lamps is not from consumption of any of the gaseous elements inside the arc tube. The electrodes get consumed over time, but also the seals between the electrode wires and the arc tube glass can begin to leak. Electrode consumption is a product of the total running hours. Seal leakage is a product of the thermal stress of changing from ambient temperature to several hundred degrees, and then back to ambient.
If your lamp fails from electrode consumption, then it will probably run for the full rated hours, even if it is 2.5 hours per session. If it fails from seal leakage, then I think it will probably do that within the first 20 warm-up / cool-down cycles.
You only watch TV 2.5 hours per day? Why bother building a projector? 😀
Just kidding. I bet that the lamp life is not just a certain number of starts. We do use our MH lamps in a different manner than their standard testing method, but I don't think anybody really uses them 11 hours on / 1 hour off. That is just a convenient test cycle they can run twice per day. (Most of these lamps probably are off for 13 hours during the day.)
The failure mode of these lamps is not from consumption of any of the gaseous elements inside the arc tube. The electrodes get consumed over time, but also the seals between the electrode wires and the arc tube glass can begin to leak. Electrode consumption is a product of the total running hours. Seal leakage is a product of the thermal stress of changing from ambient temperature to several hundred degrees, and then back to ambient.
If your lamp fails from electrode consumption, then it will probably run for the full rated hours, even if it is 2.5 hours per session. If it fails from seal leakage, then I think it will probably do that within the first 20 warm-up / cool-down cycles.
lol if it died within the 1st 20 uses, i would not be a happy guy, so i really hope not lol.
I dont watch TV 😛, it will be for watching movies from my comp/DVDs + some gaming (consol and from PC 😀)
I wouldnt really mind if it only lasted half of the predicted life of 15,000-20,000hrs 🙂 still way way cheaper than comercial lamp replacements.
I dont watch TV 😛, it will be for watching movies from my comp/DVDs + some gaming (consol and from PC 😀)
I wouldnt really mind if it only lasted half of the predicted life of 15,000-20,000hrs 🙂 still way way cheaper than comercial lamp replacements.
http://www.ushio.com/Files/PulseStrike-0304.pdf
look at 3rd page;
life; 20000*/30000**
* 11 hour ON / 1 hour OFF
** 120 hour ON / 1 hour OFF
I believe lamp stress becuse of the ignition is a proven fact.
Note that the comertial units have automatic line volt failure systems to prevent indesired ignitions. It is generally accpeted that each igniion rests 7 hours to the lamp.
Some comertial users like having a UPS conected to their projectors as well, becuse of this problem.
look at 3rd page;
life; 20000*/30000**
* 11 hour ON / 1 hour OFF
** 120 hour ON / 1 hour OFF
I believe lamp stress becuse of the ignition is a proven fact.
Note that the comertial units have automatic line volt failure systems to prevent indesired ignitions. It is generally accpeted that each igniion rests 7 hours to the lamp.
Some comertial users like having a UPS conected to their projectors as well, becuse of this problem.
ahh ok thats good then 🙂
Interesing rox, however the lamp life only increases by 50% by increasing the on time by a factor of 11, so using it for 3hrs or so at a time shouldnt decrease the life by that much i dont think.
Interesing rox, however the lamp life only increases by 50% by increasing the on time by a factor of 11, so using it for 3hrs or so at a time shouldnt decrease the life by that much i dont think.
not the same lamps!
True, for these Ushio lamps. But look at the first paragraph:
"USHIO's PulseStrike Metal Halide lamps utilize a specialized formed-body arc tube where the quartz glass is contoured to follow the natural curve of the arc stream between the electrodes. This advanced arc tube design allows for the use of a higher fill gas pressure in the arc chamber which dramatically reduces damage to the electrodes caused by electrode evaporation. This permits an increase in life and superior lumen maintenance."
I have the Ushio datasheet for the retrofit lamps, and they don't give any figures for a 120 hr on / 1 hr off cycle. So we don't know if they would act the same way as these PulseStrike lamps.
True, for these Ushio lamps. But look at the first paragraph:
"USHIO's PulseStrike Metal Halide lamps utilize a specialized formed-body arc tube where the quartz glass is contoured to follow the natural curve of the arc stream between the electrodes. This advanced arc tube design allows for the use of a higher fill gas pressure in the arc chamber which dramatically reduces damage to the electrodes caused by electrode evaporation. This permits an increase in life and superior lumen maintenance."
I have the Ushio datasheet for the retrofit lamps, and they don't give any figures for a 120 hr on / 1 hr off cycle. So we don't know if they would act the same way as these PulseStrike lamps.
you are right GG, I would like to hear about 120 hour on /1 off on the S400DD. Maybe all this stuff is not aplicable to any lamp.
I did some math work on other forum. I will just paste here;
it looks like the less ignitions are done, more hours are achieved on the lamps life before it is considered dead (dead lamp is when it has 50% of it's original light output).
I wonder if this is why the comertial projector´s lamps are so short life expected.
i got to that conclusion when I saw this http://www.ushio.com/Files/PulseStrike-0304.pdf
on the 3rd page there is very interesting information on the average hours spec;
20000*/30000**
* 11 hours ON and 1 hour OFF
** 120 hours ON and 1 hour OFF
I did it on another thread but here is it again;
If we assume that each ignition will rest same amount of hours to the "maximal only time ignited total hours on a lamp" then we can work out the estimated hours on a ushio in function of the average session hours.
Let me work out the only time ignited total maximal hours (L) and ignition constant rest value (I) first;
20000 hours claimed when 11 hours per session, so 20000/11=1818 ignitions
30000 h............................120.............................. 30000/120=250 ignitions
so we could say;
20000 = L - 1818 * I
30000 = L - 250 * I
this is easy to solve;
L = 31600 max one time ignition hours
I = 6.37 hours rested by each ignition.
So assuming this is true, we can stimate the hours on a diyprojector for a ushio lamp;
H = 31600 - S * 6.37 (H=total hours, S= sessions=ignitions).
so an example;
assuming 2.5 hours per session (a film);
H = 2.5 * S = 31600 - S * 6.37
solution; S=3562 sessions (films) and H=8900 total lamp hours.
conclusion, the stated 20000 hours on the lamp is not true for us.
I did some math work on other forum. I will just paste here;
it looks like the less ignitions are done, more hours are achieved on the lamps life before it is considered dead (dead lamp is when it has 50% of it's original light output).
I wonder if this is why the comertial projector´s lamps are so short life expected.
i got to that conclusion when I saw this http://www.ushio.com/Files/PulseStrike-0304.pdf
on the 3rd page there is very interesting information on the average hours spec;
20000*/30000**
* 11 hours ON and 1 hour OFF
** 120 hours ON and 1 hour OFF
I did it on another thread but here is it again;
If we assume that each ignition will rest same amount of hours to the "maximal only time ignited total hours on a lamp" then we can work out the estimated hours on a ushio in function of the average session hours.
Let me work out the only time ignited total maximal hours (L) and ignition constant rest value (I) first;
20000 hours claimed when 11 hours per session, so 20000/11=1818 ignitions
30000 h............................120.............................. 30000/120=250 ignitions
so we could say;
20000 = L - 1818 * I
30000 = L - 250 * I
this is easy to solve;
L = 31600 max one time ignition hours
I = 6.37 hours rested by each ignition.
So assuming this is true, we can stimate the hours on a diyprojector for a ushio lamp;
H = 31600 - S * 6.37 (H=total hours, S= sessions=ignitions).
so an example;
assuming 2.5 hours per session (a film);
H = 2.5 * S = 31600 - S * 6.37
solution; S=3562 sessions (films) and H=8900 total lamp hours.
conclusion, the stated 20000 hours on the lamp is not true for us.
with the assumption that the above is true, 9,000 hrs, or even a little less is still excelent value 😀, so im still happy. Once i Start recieving less than 5000 hrs or so per bulb, then id start grumbling a little (even tho it still kicks the *** of any commercial lamp) 😛.
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