$500 Projector Bulb goes out quick

[steppinthrax]

I just replaced a projector bulb to one of our ceiling mounted projectors (Epson 830p). The bulb burned out with just 436 Hours on it!!!!! The manual indicated the bulbs normal lifespan to be about 2,000 hours. Is this common. Bulbs going out quick like this?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I just replaced a projector bulb to one of our ceiling mounted projectors (Epson 830p). The bulb burned out with just 436 Hours on it!!!!! The manual indicated the bulbs normal lifespan to be about 2,000 hours. Is this common. Bulbs going out quick like this?

You answered your own question. Could be just a fluke bad bulb. If the replacement one burns out early or this has been happening with several bulbs I would contact the manufacturer.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

That is pretty low for a bulb

There are some things other than the number of active hours that can shorten the life as well.

If your projector has filters for air intake, make sure those are clean and clear.

If you're not careful installing the bulb, you might get oil from your hands or something else on the surface of it, which can shorten the life of it.

On/Off cycles also add a lot of wear to the bulb. I've read an estimate that a turn-on cycle is equivalent to about 2 hours of normal usage of the bulb.

There are a lot of factors that can go into this, but yeah, sometimes you just get a bad one
Some places offer better warranties for bulb life vs. the standard manufacturer ratings that you probably already passed.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
That is pretty low for a bulb

There are some things other than the number of active hours that can shorten the life as well.

If your projector has filters for air intake, make sure those are clean and clear.

If you're not careful installing the bulb, you might get oil from your hands or something else on the surface of it, which can shorten the life of it.

On/Off cycles also add a lot of wear to the bulb. I've read an estimate that a turn-on cycle is equivalent to about 2 hours of normal usage of the bulb.

There are a lot of factors that can go into this, but yeah, sometimes you just get a bad one
Some places offer better warranties for bulb life vs. the standard manufacturer ratings that you probably already passed.

Well what was interesting about this bulb was it was cracked. If I shoke it a little bit the coil in the center shoke a little While the new bulb's coil was fixed.

 

[venkman]

Thats VERY low for a bulb. For a bulb to die in 436 something is wrong or you'd have ot be turning it on and off 20 times a day. I'd check with your manufacturer they may offer a replacement of bulbs that die significantly before their lifespan expires. I don't know for sure if they'd help you out but it wouldn't hurt to ask.