Maintaining Your LCD Projector

Many of our readers use LCD Projectors for lectures, demonstrations, classroom activities and multimedia presentations. Lamp replacement for these projectors is costly and ranges from $200. Adhering to the following maintenance procedures can significantly extend the life of the lamp. Most LCD projectors have a cooling fan with a removable foam air filter. Clean the filter at least twice per year or more if you are in a dusty environment. Clogged filters reduce the flow of air around the lamp, causing early lamp failure. Many projectors have energy savings features, which include reduced brightness settings and automatic shut down. If you work in subdued lighting, a low "lumens" setting may yield sufficient brightness. Leaving the room and forgetting to shut down the projector is a common problem. Most projectors have an auto shutdown feature based on time or inactivity. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for more precise details.

