Newbie taking the plunge

[politicorific]

Well after a couple weeks of tinkering around and convincing my father that this would be cheaper than a commerical projetor I'm about ready to get started building my projector. A lot of the information scattered on the net is years out of date or conflicting.

I've stripped my Proview LCD already - the backlight only powered on for a fraction of a second, and has some other technical issues, but it will work for my purposes. I've measured it's dimensions - it's less than 12 1/2 inches wide and 9 1/2 inches tall. I've decided to try something simple for my first one - a straight shot, none of this complicated folded box stuff involving mirrors.

I'm going to buy the following parts:
http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/nw012104/SO400-71C-211K.htm
http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/nw012104/UHI-S400DDUSHIO.htm
http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/nw012104/SM08525.L8756F.htm

As long as these parts are in stock - they appear to be the same things lumenlab is selling, but are in stock and cheaper. The only thing this forum is lacking is links to places to buy ballasts/bulbs. Now last question: Is there a difference between the lumenlab fresnel+long throw kit and the diyprojectorcompany fresnel+long throw lens?

Is there anything else I'm forgetting? I have plenty of 80mm fans which I can rig up to the monitor's 12v power supply. But what about UV filters?

 

[mikyd1954]

as I'm sure others will tell you, Lexan XL10 for UV....an 8x10 sheet at Home Depot is like 3-4$ .... if you place it close to your lamp its plenty big enough ....

 

[scanboy]

I think atlanta is out of those Ushio, I made an order last week, but they told me the bulbs are in back order, it will take an extra 7-10 days before they can ship it out. I hope I can get them before labor day. Just FYI anyway.

I'am also starting my own DIY pj, similar to what you want to do, str8 with no mirrors or anything, but I am considering keystone correction, you might want to look into that before you build too small of an inclosure.

 

[Mario007]

It looks like you're going to be running high pressure sodium bulbs. That's a very bad idea as the light will be very yellowish and not suitable for projection. Metal halide is what you need.

 

[scanboy]

Mario007, I believe the Ushio is MH retro fit to HPS ballast, the bulb was design to get rid of the yellow, orange look.

 

[politicorific]

Now, I'm confused about the ballast.
Which one should I get:

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=SO400-71C-211K
\

or

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=SO400-480VBALLAST

I'm sticking with that bulb, but I can't justify paying the lumenlab premium if I can get the same thing elsewhere(or even locally). Lumenlab has a $25 premium for what looks like the same components I can buy elsewhere.

Also is there a huge difference between the DIYprojectorcompany Fresnel and objective and the lumenlab one?

 

[ichiroo]

guys i need to know where i can buy BALLAST and the MH bulbs, they seems very expensive though is there a second hand around?

 

[scanboy]

Now, I'm confused about the ballast.
Which one should I get:

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=SO400-71C-211K
\

or

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=SO400-480VBALLAST

I'm sticking with that bulb, but I can't justify paying the lumenlab premium if I can get the same thing elsewhere(or even locally). Lumenlab has a $25 premium for what looks like the same components I can buy elsewhere.

Also is there a huge difference between the DIYprojectorcompany Fresnel and objective and the lumenlab one?

You definitely need the S51 ballast if you're sticking with the ushio bulb. The one LL is selling for $100 is an electric ballast, and the one from alanta is a magnetic one. Difference? Magnetic one is so much heavier than the electric one. And there are other disadvantages like magnetic runs with "hiss" noise According to other posts that I've read. You can do a search in the forum and you will find a lot of posts about differect type of ballast.

Regarding the fresnel, I don't see a HUGE diff between the two other than the size. Might want to check out 3dlens.com.
Again, you might be able to find some posts here about products from the two company.