Lance and All,
I am wondering where you got this advice below as it does not apply to
some of the newer projectors. I will give you my interpretation on
this and will be listed in Red below ....
Bud
On May 20, 2009, at 1:34 PM, Lance Lennon wrote:
As we place ore and more Projectors in classrooms and IMC's for
checkout, I was wondering if there is a "Best Practices" for there
use. I received this from another list I am on and would love
comments, recomendations, amendments and/or overa ll changes.
Thanks
LCD Projector Best Practices:
The standard rating for a projector bulb is about 2000 hrs of use.
The AV Co-op Committee has decided that a classroom projector should
be able to show 2000 lumens of light, however the ultraclose focus
would not require that since it may only be a couple of feet from the
screen.
The replacement cost of the bulbs is about $300 each.
Replacement lamp cost will vary with the machine but can range in
price from $200 - $500, depending on the age of the machine.
Under normal
conditions the bulb should slowly get dimmer until by about 2000 hrs
it
is dim enough to need changing. They are not supposed to actually
burn
out (but sometimes they do) The life of the bulb depends on the number
of hours it runs, but also on the way it has been warmed up and cooled
down.
Under normal conditions, if a lamp is rated for 2000 hours on Bright
mode, it should last 2000 hours and then get dimmer until you need to
replace it. Some of the newer projectors have instant start and
instant off, with some keeping the fan running when turned off and
some just go off...that is the way they are built to perform.
Here is a summary recommendation for proper use:
1. If the projector is turned on, be sure it runs for at least 20
minutes before turning it back off. This insures it gets completely
up
to operating temperature and has been stable at that temperature for a
while before cooling down again.
I have never heard this before. If you turn the projector off and then
want it back on quickly, then it does take a few seconds or a minute
to get the lamp cooled off before the machine will let the lamp turn
on again. If you want it off and on for a reason, some projectors have
a shutter function that blocks the light but keeps the projector lamp
on and ready for use.
2. If the projector is turned off (put into sleep mode,
never really turn it off) then do not turn it back on for 30 minutes.
The bulb has to get completely down to room temperature before
trying to
power it back on.
No, not true. The projector will cool down and allow the lamp to turn
back on... it doesn't take but a couple of minutes to do that at the
maximum time period.
3. During the day if you are done but will use the
projector again in less than 20 minutes then leave it on but you can
press the "video" button to get it to the blue background. You can
then
turn it back to computer when you need it again.
Turn it off. Otherwise you are using up lamp life. It doesn't take
much time to turn it on and get going again.
4. During the day if you are done and WILL NOT be using it
for 30 to 40 minutes then please do turn it off and allow it to cool
down completely. (we have some who go to lunch and leave their
projector running)
Yes, turn it off.
5. Out in a corn field our power goes out. I asked about
power on/off problems with our electricity but was told as long as the
projector is asleep it should not be a problem, other than those times
when the power does the on/off/on/off flashing which is hard on
everything.
Power fluctuations may cause the projector to shut off. Like every
other electrical device, a power outage can cause problems and
sometimes damage. If you are concerned about that or have voltage
fluctuations in your building, without any storms, then get your
electrician in and get those spikes identified and find a solution.
You can also plug your projectors into a surge protector to help with
that ... but most don't do that. Some newer buildings may have surge
protection built-in to the outlet.
I hope that this info helps you. There are probably many ideas for
"Best Practice", the one that I try to use and keep in mind is called,
" Common Sense".
Please contact me if you have questions .... or a difference of
opinion on my comments. An old dog can still learn some new tricks.
Bud Carruthers
--
"Chaos Theory is a new theory invented by scientists panicked by the
thought that the public were beginning to understand the old ones."
~Mike Barfield
--
Lance L. Lennon
District Technology Director
Eagle Grove Community School District
515-448-4749
Bud Carruthers, Coordinator x1157
Mary Allaman, Secretary x1287
AV&Computer Co-op
http://av.co-op.k12.ia.us
Iowa Educators Consortium
www.iec-ia.org
3601 West Avenue Road
Burlington, Iowa 52601
319-753-6561
319-752-7525 fax
[email protected]
