Lamp Hours (Half Life)
Understanding the bulb
The energy coming from a projection lamp produces enormous heat, and yet the lamp-a relatively small device-must withstand temperatures that would melt most electronic components. Lamps are fragile high-tech devices and they’re not inexpensive.
What different types of lamps are there?
The most common types of lamps now used in portable projectors are UHP (Ultra High Performance) and UHE (Ultra High Efficiency) lamps; some models still use metal halide, as well. Lamp life will be rated for any projector you buy - typical lifespans are between 1,000 and 4,000 hours, with replacement bulbs running $250 - $600. Lamps can be one of the hidden costs of a projector, as they are likely to burn out or break sometime over the life of your machine. Knowing the replacement cost of the lamp can help you determine your future spending on a given projector.
Why are projector lamps so expensive?
The main item we should consider about the cost is that essentially it takes a lot to make a really bright, small light bulb. This isn’t a 60 watt incandescent we’re talking about. Projector bulbs are highly sophisticated products that produce an amazing brightness in a small unit. In addition, the assembly process to manufacture such bulbs is complicated.
Consider purchasing a spare projector bulb when you buy a projector. That way, you will have a spare in case of emergencies, and you can get a good discount on the lamp by purchasing at the same time as the projector.
How many hours will my projector lamp work?
Just like any light bulb you would use for another purpose, projector bulbs have an expected operating time, called lamp life. This value is expressed in number of hours - typically around 2000 hours. Newer models are achieving 4000+ hours of lamp life. With metal halide, total lamp life is not a very useful measurement, they typically do not burn out, but gradually grow dimmer. The lamp will continue to function long after they’re so dim you won’t want to use them. So manufacturers’ offer a peak rating—and peak lamp life is the time the lamp will last at 80 - 90% of total brightness.
For projectors that are used under normal operating conditions (no more than three to five hours per day in a clean, relatively dust-free environment) the lamp will have the greatest likelihood of lasting through its entire rated lamp life. Projectors that are operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are at the highest likelihood of lamp failure before the end of the rated hours.
The projector image seems dimmer than usual - what does this mean?
If you are noticeing that your image is dimmer than usual it may be time to replace your projector lamp. The brightness of metal halide lamps decreases during lamp life. With metal halide (high pressure mercury) lamps, you’ll notice a dimming of the image brightness as the lamp goes through a procces called cycling. Some projectors allow you to check the number of hours your lamp has been used through the built-in menu system. Check your user guide for information about this feature.
What can I do to help my projector lamp last longer?
Here is a list of tips that can help ensure that you are getting the most out of your projector’s lamp:
- Once you turn on your projector, wait at least five minutes before turning it off to allow the fan to properly cool the unit. After the fan has cooled your projector, you may unplug it and store it as desired.
- Do not obstruct the air intake or exhaust vent. No object should be placed on top of a projector, or where vents are located.
- Clean the projector’s air intake filter every three to six months — or more frequently — based on your operating environment
- When you purchase a replacement lamp for your projector, remove the existing lamp and use the old lamp as your spare. If your projector is new, test the original lamp for the two weeks/20 hours before removing and storing as a spare.
- Run your projector for two weeks and/or 20 hours shortly after your purchase. If the lamp is going to fail, it will usually occur within the first ten hours of operation. Lamp warranties typically last just 90-180 days from the date of purchase, rather than the first installation.
- Do not move your projector until the lamp has cooled (about five minutes).
- Keep the exhaust vent at least two feet from any object.
- The projector is built into a compartment, wall, ceiling or shelf mount, the minimum distance requirement (usually at least two feet) stated in your owners manual must be maintained.
Feel free to reference our tips to extend the lamp life of your projector for more care tips to get the most out of your projector bulbs and your investment.
How can I tell how many hours a lamp has been used for?
Almost all projectors have a built-in lamp hour counter that starts at zero when new, and should be reset once you change the projector lamp. You should be able to find the total projector lamp hours used within the onscreen menu system of your projector. Refer to you your users’ manual for instructions on how to check projector lamp hours on your model of projector.
What warranty do lamps generally have?
Projector lamp warranties can vary between manufacturers so consult your users’ manual or manufacturer’s warranty information. The typical projector lamp warranty is 60 or 90 days from receipt of projector.
How much does cost to run?
Anywhere from 10 to 25 cents an hour is normal… the cost goes up as you go upscale, because the costlier projectors usually have bigger and brighter bulbs.
If you’re shopping for a projector, this is something you should consider… how long will the bulbs last, and how much do they cost? Figure out your run time per hour, and then at LEAST double that cost. Assume, in other words, that the bulb will last half as long as they say. They’ll usually last pretty well if you take good care of them, but by using the 50% figure, you won’t be as disappointed if it burns out early.