Projectors get admired for a variety of reasons; one is displaying movies and broadcasting games in richer and brighter colors.
What’s more worth admiring is that projectors allow you to adjust the brightness according to your requirements.
There are some modes that assist you in managing the brightness.
The cinema, worthy movie, and video modes are given to bring down the brightness whereas, the dynamics and the bright modes brighten up the image like no other thing.
The bigger screen is one whereas, the brighter image is the other reason why projectors are bought or hired.
Surprisingly, nothing extraordinary brightens things up on the screen, it’s a bulb that does its magic. The secret behind the projectors ambient light can be
- Metal Halide Lamp
- Halogen Bulb
These bulbs that brighten the screen up are far more superior than ordinary bulbs. Just like all other good things in life these bulbs do come with an expiry date.
Fortunately, the expiry does not really bring down the projector’s value as these bulbs are replaceable. When it starts creating an issue, you can replace the bulb and move on.
If you are facing any such issues, you have got the solution. Now the trick question is how long-lasting these “not-so-ordinary” bulbs are? Or are they as easy to burn out as ordinary bulbs?
So, How Long Do Projectors Bulbs Last?
The projector lamps are pretty long-lasting. On average, most bulbs last between 1500 to 2000 hours. After the said duration, these bulbs usually start to dim over time. However, they hardly create any issues in their lifetime.
These bulbs can also be of poor and superior quality
Most average or cheap quality projector bulbs last around 1500 to 2000 hours. The superior-grade bulbs are an exception, they usually last longer than the said duration; sometimes up to 5000 hours.
The newest bulb models have more impressive life
Advancement has caused everyone and everything spellbound; even the projector lamps.
The projector lamps that are brightening up the new and improved projector models are much longer-lasting than the previous models.
Some of these bulbs have claimed to last longer in projectors.
So, the above paragraphs summarize that the superior-grade projector bulbs can last up to 20,000 hours whereas the cheap quality bulbs have a lifetime of up to 1500 to 2000 hours.
However, the newest models are an exception to that, they have an impressive lifespan. Some of the newest models have claimed to last longer than 20,000 hours.
Factors Effect Life of Projector Bulb
Since we have been discussing the bulb life, it must not be forgotten that the bulb’s life depends on a few factors;
- Lamp technology
- Usage and storage
- Ventilation
- Maintenance
Lamp technology
It must not be forgotten that the type of technology used to brighten the screen determines the lifespan of the bulb.
It can be LED or metal halide. The metal halide bulbs last up to 2000 hours whereas the LED bulb’s life expectancy is normally 20,000 hours.
Usage and storage
Mishandling does not only affect the projector’s performance but the bulb’s as well.
If the projectors are installed at an appropriate place where it is not exposed to direct sunlight, the bulbs last longer.
However, if the opposite happens, the projector bulbs hardly last up to 2000 to 5000 hours.
Moreover, removing when the projector is not in use and readjusting the bulb at the time of need also improve the lifespan of both LED and Metal halide bulbs.
Ventilation
Since the projector’s lamp has to brighten up a big screen, they get heated quite easily.
Ventilations do not just cool down the overly heated bulbs but also improve their lifespan.
Maintenance
The brown spots are the first signs of negligence. The projector bulbs do not just need proper ventilation but cleaning and maintenance to serve up to expectations.
Clean the bulb thoroughly and get a dust cover for your projector to avoid facing this problem in the future.
Cleaning the air filter mechanism fairly tight would also play a part in improving the bulb’s life.
Replacement of Bulbs
Whether it’s poor or high-quality bulbs, they do not fail during their warranted lifetime;
As you know the bulbs come in inferior and superior grades.
The projector bulbs, whether it’s poor or superior grade, perform up to the person’s expectations during their warranted lifetime. Yaber Projectors claim the quality of projector bulbs.
Once the warranted lifetime expires, the bulbs do not immediately burn out. They begin to dim over, affect the image quality, and burn out eventually.
When the lamps begin to dim over, they can burn out at any time
If you use projectors frequently, it is recommended to keep a track of hours used. Once the suggested duration is over, waiting for the lamp to burn out is useless.
It is because the lamps do not give impressive performance once the warranted lifespan is over. It’s better to get the lamp replaced than wait for it to burn out.
When do the bulbs must be replaced?
When the bulbs have lived up to the warranted life, they begin wearing out.
However still they do not immediately need to be replaced but when they start shifting colors, producing darker images, flickering the projected image, and unusual sound like in Movie theater projectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do projectors bulbs expire frequently?
Projector bulbs expire but not as frequently as ordinary bulbs. They have an impressive lifespan and they rarely fail in that duration.
What happens when you do not replace the projector bulb?
When the bulb has lived up to the warranted life, it’s better to replace them immediately.
If these bulbs are not replaced, the bulb will start wearing out and begin projecting poor images. Eventually, the bulb will expire and you have to get a replacement.
Can you replace a projector bulb yourself?
Yes, you can take professional help or replace the projector bulb yourself. It’s super easy to replace a bulb that you do not even need technical know-how.
Can you make your bulb last longer?
Yes, you can make your projector’s lamp last longer by keeping it clean, installing or storing the projector at appropriate places, and removing the bulb when the projector is not in use.
How many years does the projector’s bulb last?
First of all, the bulb’s life is measured in hours, not years. The high-quality Expensive projector‘s bulbs last up to 20,000 hours.
Would replacing a projector bulb be costly?
No, replacing a projector bulb would not be costly at all. You need to have $350 to $400 in hand to get the expired bulb replaced to perfection.
Conclusion
The projector’s efficiency is judged by its picture quality. The lamp assists projectors in producing brighter, sharper, and clearer images. Unfortunately, these bulbs come with an expiry date.
There are two types of bulbs used in projectors; LED and Metal halide. The metal halide bulbs last up to 2000 hours whereas the LED bulbs are far more durable as they serve up to 20,000 hours.
The bulbs hardly fail in the warranted duration then they begin wearing out.
However, you can improve the lifespan by keeping the bulbs clean, installing and storing the bulb where they are not exposed to direct sunlight, and removing the bulb when the projector is not in use.
