It’s not uncommon for consumers to be inadequately informed when making a purchase, and DLP TV’s are no exception. The biggest problem here is just lack of information. Anyone who walks into a store will often not be told some of the tips to offering your set the best longevity.
DLP televisions have lamps that pass light through a color wheel, bounce it off of a mirror and allow us to see color on the screen. The lamp assembly is a costly maintenance repair, and no one wants to replace them more often than needed. Here are a few helpful tips to get the most use out of each lamp you purchase:
1) When installing the lamp, wear cotton gloves (e.g. jersey gloves). The oils and salts from your fingers can weaken the quartz surface and lead to a shorter lamp life. It is okay to touch the plastic housing, as that will not affect the lamp itself.
2) Avoid excessive power cycling. It is common practice to turn a DLP on once in the morning, leave it running all day and then turn it off at night. This may seem like a huge waste of energy, but the truth is that DLP TV’s are actually very efficient compared to LCD TV’s at larger screen sizes.
3) If you must turn the TV on and off more frequently, be sure to avoid doing it in quick succession. The constant heating and cooling of a lamp can cause significant damage. Allow at least 2 – 5 minutes after you power down the set to unplug it if you are moving it, and never cut the power from the set by pulling the plug.
4) If you have kids or energetic roommates, a DLP TV might not be for you. Constant jarring and vibrations will also shorten lamp life. They are most definitely best treated with utmost care.
5) Ventilation is key. Lamp life is dependent largely on minimal heat. Newer sets (and many older ones) have a built in failsafe that will disallow the set from running when the temperatures reach a certain level. You can literally melt components if you do not allow the set to breathe:
a) Do not place the set in a cramped corner.
b) Get a can of compressed air and blow out the vents occasionally. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, it’s nice to pull off the covers and blow off the circuit boards, too.
c) Get a fan! The internal fans are enough most of the time, but a non-air-conditioned home can be a death trap for these TV’s. Help it out by keeping the air moving.
d) Some sets have filters near their internal fans. Blow out the filters with canned air once in awhile.
6) Carefully decide where you want to plug in the set. If fans, A/C units, vacuum cleaners or other motorized units are on the same circuit as your TV (in the same receptacle or in the same receptacle circuit) they may generate power spikes when they are in use or when they are powered on. This can blow out your lamp on occasion. A great way to avoid this risk is a surge protector.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below!
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