First time bulb replacement... help please

**MonsterMaddness** · **07-01-09, 07:25 PM**

Hello all,

Two years ago I bought an optoma HD 70 DLP projector and have enjoyed thousands of hours of enjoyment, 2000 hours in fact. Now that it's time to replace the lamp I have some questions. Should I buy a new lamp or just a new bulb. A bulb is cheaper and I consider myself a pretty handy guy but I've never replaced one before and can't seem to find instructions on the net. Also, whether it's a lamp or a bulb, where should I buy a replacement? There's a lot of diffrent dealers out there and I've heard some of them are not above scamming a novice such as myself. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**Blaser** · **07-02-09, 03:34 PM**

Hi,

Do you really need to replace the bulb? I wouldn't replace mine unless I get some serious dimming (brightness) issues. I know of people who have 5 Khrs on theirs...

**MonsterMaddness** · **07-02-09, 04:31 PM**

Not really, I was going to stretch out the bulbs life as long as possible but would still like to order a replacement so when it does go, I can replace it and not miss a beat. Do you really know people with 5000 hours on their bulb?

**Blaser** · **07-02-09, 04:39 PM**

I have read somewhere ... although mine burned out after only 1388 hrs and I had a replacement under warranty

**Mike P.** · **07-02-09, 04:58 PM**

Quote:

There's a lot of different dealers out there and I've heard some of them are not above scamming a novice such as myself.

You can check the reputation of a store here:

http://www.resellerratings.com/

**MonsterMaddness** · **07-02-09, 05:45 PM**

So, new lamp or new bulb?

**tcarcio** · **07-02-09, 06:42 PM**

I would go with a new bulb, in fact when my HD-72 needs replacement that is what I plan to do. Check this out...http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290310076294 I believe that bulb will fit yours also but call and make sure if you decide to go that way.

**MonsterMaddness** · **07-03-09, 02:41 AM**

So where can I find instructions on how to replace the bulb while keeping the orginal housing?

**tcarcio** · **07-03-09, 10:48 AM**

You got me thinking about this and it looks like it might not be a good idea. I searched ''relamping a projector bulb'' and found alot of this kind of thing.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak47DNHjbCo

There are some company's that will relamp for you but it sounds risky at best and may void your PJ warranty.

**MonsterMaddness** · **07-04-09, 03:32 AM**

Yeah, I actually watched that vid before. I figured it could be a scare tactic used to ward off cheap skates like me. However, the cheapest I've found the bulb is $200 and the entire lamp is $245 on amazon. If I could find a bulb for $100, I'd probably give it a shot but I don't think it's worth the risk for $45 bucks savings.

**Fabricator** · **07-04-09, 08:34 AM**

Quote:

MonsterMaddness wrote:

I figured it could be a scare tactic used to ward off cheap skates like me.

i know exactly what you mean. often its hard to know just who/what to believe. i am going through this right now, with my shower remodel. i am being told to rip out(no easy task, concrete floor and plumbing) something that isn't broken. and i can't figure out why.

anyway. let us know what you do. with pics.

**Mike P.** · **07-04-09, 08:36 AM**

The HD 70 uses a 200 watt UHP bulb. They can be bought for $60 plus shipping from "ywh" on the diyaudio.com forum. Ask him on the forum to make sure. He's in China and has been supplying lamps for a lot of people for the past 4 years. Post# 841, 842 and 843.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...t=#post1048694

"18wheeler" has been stocking "ywh" bulbs in the U.S. You'll have to check if he has your specific bulb. Make sure you read the FAQ.

http://www.diypro.us/index.htm

**tcarcio** · **07-04-09, 09:52 AM**

Mike, Have you replaced a lamp useing this method and if so how did it work out?

**Mike P.** · **07-04-09, 11:12 AM**

No I haven't. At one time I was going to build my own projector and was a member on that forum. I followed that thread for quite a while.

**MonsterMaddness** · **07-12-09, 12:51 AM**

I think I may go ahead and buy a lamp this round and then try to replace the bulb in the old lamps housing

. Thanks for your help and let me know if any information becomes avalible out there!

**akan101** · **10-09-09, 10:49 AM**

I suggest you also get a lamp with the bulb sometimes people complain of incompatible with the other bulbs. Just check it this link out;

Optoma HD70

**MonsterMaddness** · **11-15-09, 10:10 PM**

At 2546 hours, I believe my bulb is fixing to go. The image keeps flickering and changing color so I went ahead and ordered a new lamp. It should get here on Thursday. When I replace the bulb, is there anything else I should do besides dusting and cleaning it while I have it down off the ceiling?

**MonsterMaddness** · **11-17-09, 08:37 AM**

Uh oh, I got to looking around the net and it seems like it may be the color wheel (whatever that is). My image is doing this-

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz3z129CDzk

Any suggestions? Last night I took the lamp out and tried sucking most of the dust out. I haven't hooked it back up yet to see if it did anything.

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