retrofitting a projector with cheaper bulbs?!

[neodurdin]

Has anyone tried retrofitting an off the shelf projector with cheaper bulbs?! For the most part, that is the sole disadvantage of an off the
shelf projector, the cost to replace the bulbs which can range from $200 to $600 dollars per bulb. If you can get it down to a reasonable cost, then an off the shelf projector would be ideal.

 

[will1384]

yes quite a few have - I will also - but each unit is different
and each way is different

Here is a link of some one that did that
http://www.talomark.com/robo/semidiy/projectorfull.htm

I will use a HQI lamp and put a mirror at 45% inside
the projector were the original lamp was - then use
a condenser lens to refocus the light to a point on the
mirror

I will have to make a metal box - and glue / bolt it
to the projector, for the HQI - the ballast may also
be mounted on the projector, on the outside,

the old ballast would be removed - only to lighten the
projector - and then the hard part, fooling it into
working with out the original lamp - I will be posting pics
when I do, but like I said there all different -


Some have even taken apart the projector and rebuilt
it using the cheaper lamp