Bulb fatigue is a term that has been used for years to describe the effect on projector bulbs when they are constantly turned on and off. A lot of people used to think it was just an excuse by manufacturers, but now with so many advances in projection technology, it’s easy to see why projectors need more time between bulb changes than TVs or monitors do .In this article we will discuss about How Long Do Projector Bulbs Last – Expert View.
What is the life expectancy of projector bulbs
The life span of today’s bulbs is much longer than those made even only 10 years ago. Starting out at about 20,000 hours before needing replacement, most modern bulbs will last up to 25,000 hours before you need new ones. That means if you watch TV every night for 2 hours (which would be considered heavy use), your lightbulbs should last well over 3 years before you would need to replace them.
What Is A Projector Lamp?
Basically, a projector lamp is a light bulb that emits an intense white beam of light that shines through a lens and onto a projection screen or other surface behind the projector. In order to produce the bright, crisp images you see on a screen or wall, a projector makes use of a type of fluorescent light (known as a UHP).
There are a number of different types of projectors available on the market today, ranging from those designed for business presentations to those designed for use in the home for entertainment. One of the reasons why there are so many projector lamp options available out there with different wattage loads and lumen counts is because of this reason.
Normal Lamp
A normal lamp is an electrical lamp that produces light by passing an electric current through a gas or filament. This current has been heated to its incandescent point by passing an electric current through it. In the presence of an electric current, the tungsten filament emits light when it is heated. There are two ends to the tungsten filament, one of which is hotter than the other. The cathode generates heat, which travels to the other end, called the anode, where it is absorbed by the anode.
At this point, atoms within the tungsten break apart, releasing electrons. These electrons pass through a vacuum inside the lamp, subsequently colliding with other atoms in the gas to produce light. Normal lamps are not typically used in modern projectors because of their low lumen output . The energy generated by a normal lamp is expended as heat rather than visible light.
Laser Lamp
A Laser Lamp is a type of projector lamp that is commonly used in projectors. Unlike normal fluorescent light bulbs, the beam from a laser lamp is projected onto a projection screen so the image appears brighter and sharper. Compared to a normal fluorescent light bulb, this type of lamp has more lumens and produces less heat, which saves energy and increases the lifespan of your projector.
LED Lamp
A LED lamp is a projector lamp that uses semiconductor diode technology to produce light. As opposed to the normal fluorescent light, which produces light when an electric current passes through it, LEDs do not require much electricity to create visible light. This means that instead of generating heat (which can cause damage or even explosion), these types of lamps produce a very bright light that has a lower energy demand.
Effects Of Projector Lamp On Brightness
Projector lamps are one of the most expensive parts of your projector. Many people wonder just how long projector lamps last. The lasting length depends on the type of lamp you use. A laser lamp can last up to 100,000 hours, which is many years before you need a replacement. With LEDs lasting 20,000 hours, you’ll need to replace them much sooner if you’re using them for business presentations or in a commercial setting.
Light from a normal fluorescent bulb doesn’t have as much brightness as LEDs or lasers have because it produces light by heating a filament to its incandescent point and emitting light when it’s heated up. However, some projectors offer a “normal mode” that will enable you to see a brighter picture for presentations where this is needed.
How Long Do Projector Bulbs Last?
Switch To LED Bulbs For Environmentally Friendly Brightness. You can also choose to use an LCD projector, which emits no ultraviolet radiation. And uses less power than other lamps. Although LED lamps are more expensive than lasers or normal fluorescent bulbs. They use less energy and produce a whiter light, which will make your presentations more clear.
In addition, it is also pertinent to mention that laser lamps are problematic for the environment. This is because contain mercury gas, which makes it difficult for them to be properly disposed of since they contain mercury gas. If you recycle or repurpose this type of lamp, you can minimize the damage that it causes to the environment by reducing the amount of damage this type of lamp causes.
How To Make The Lamp Last Longer?
To help the lamp last longer, you should:
- Reduce The Temperature Of Projector’s Enclosure. Try to keep it at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
- Turn Off The Projector When Not In Use. Leaving a projector on will increase the lifespan of your bulb as it will cool down and not overheat as quickly as if it were constantly on. A good time to turn off the projector is before dinner for eight hours, and then after dinner for another eight hours.
- Switch To LED Bulbs For Environmentally Friendly Brightness. LEDs use less energy and produce a whiter light that will make your presentation clearer. They also cost more than other lamps but use less power and produce less heat, which will also help your projector last longer.
Conclusion
Projectors can be expensive to use and maintain over time. More often than you’d like, so try using a laser projector lamp instead of a normal fluorescent bulb. It will be brighter, more efficient and less expensive in the long run.
No matter what your preferences are, there will always be a type of projector that will suit your needs. The important thing is to know just how long projector bulbs last so you can budget accordingly. How long do projector lamps last? How many hours before you need to replace them? Read this article for all your questions answered! Thanks for reading.
Read Also: