Can someone teach me a few things about projector lamps?

[slashmaster]

I was wondering if someone could teach me a few things about lamps. My B & H projector has a "DJL" lamp which is 150 watts, cost about 25-35 bucks and last only 15 hours. How does that compare to what else is out there? I'm not afraid to modify this projector, what are some other options that might be less expensive per hour and put out more power?

[BAC]

I had a B & H projector that used one of those bulbs. It blew up in the projector scattering glass all over the inside of the projector and on the floor around it. Then you have to buy a bulb that costs as much as the projector. If you have an 8mm projector I would recommend one of the Bolex models, the M8 or the 18-5. The M8 uses a 500 watt CZX bulb that you can get for under $10. The 18-5 uses a CXR bulb that can cost as much as your DJL but I have seen them for less. I would also recommend a Keystone K109 model. They are built like a tank and use a 750 watt DDB bulb that you can get for under $10.

If your projector is a super 8 you could go with a more modern one that uses a Halogen bulb. The bulbs are brighter and cheaper, around $10, and last much longer. I have an Elmo 180 that projects a great picture. Some good brands to look for are Elmo, Eumig, Bolex but they can be expensive.

It's not that I don't like the B & H projectors, they are well built machines, I just think there are better options out there.

[ECNtoo]

I've never heard of a bulb that was made to last 15 hours. It's a great business plan...in a way. I have a xenon lamp unit out of a BMW that I've been thinking about using to retrofit into a projector. The bulbs last hundreds of hours and put out that nice bright white light. And working with 12v is easy.

[BAC]

I've never heard of a bulb that was made to last 15 hours. It's a great business plan...in a way. I have a xenon lamp unit out of a BMW that I've been thinking about using to retrofit into a projector. The bulbs last hundreds of hours and put out that nice bright white light. And working with 12v is easy.

They also have very bright white LED lights that are 12 Volt DC. They use them on emergency and off road vehicles. Very little heat and they last a long time.

[slashmaster]

I had a B & H projector that used one of those bulbs. It blew up in the projector scattering glass all over the inside of the projector and on the floor around it. Then you have to buy a bulb that costs as much as the projector. If you have an 8mm projector I would recommend one of the Bolex models, the M8 or the 18-5. The M8 uses a 500 watt CZX bulb that you can get for under $10. The 18-5 uses a CXR bulb that can cost as much as your DJL but I have seen them for less. I would also recommend a Keystone K109 model. They are built like a tank and use a 750 watt DDB bulb that you can get for under $10.

If your projector is a super 8 you could go with a more modern one that uses a Halogen bulb. The bulbs are brighter and cheaper, around $10, and last much longer. I have an Elmo 180 that projects a great picture. Some good brands to look for are Elmo, Eumig, Bolex but they can be expensive.

It's not that I don't like the B & H projectors, they are well built machines, I just think there are better options out there.

Thanks BAC,
My dads regular 8 B & H has a 500 watt CZX so I know that will fit, just not sure if those are still made or how long they will continue to be made. How many watts is a CXR? How much bigger is a 750 DDB compared to a CZX? if not much maybe I can make that work. How would a Halogen bulb compare to a CZX?

[slashmaster]

I've never heard of a bulb that was made to last 15 hours. It's a great business plan...in a way. I have a xenon lamp unit out of a BMW that I've been thinking about using to retrofit into a projector. The bulbs last hundreds of hours and put out that nice bright white light. And working with 12v is easy.

Maybe that's why most of the 346A B & H I've seen are in good shape, no one uses them because the bulbs are always burned out. I was thinking about trying an automotive bulb too but I don't want to have to find a spot in the projector to mount a 12 volt transformer.

[BAC]

I had a B & H projector that used one of those bulbs. It blew up in the projector scattering glass all over the inside of the projector and on the floor around it. Then you have to buy a bulb that costs as much as the projector. If you have an 8mm projector I would recommend one of the Bolex models, the M8 or the 18-5. The M8 uses a 500 watt CZX bulb that you can get for under $10. The 18-5 uses a CXR bulb that can cost as much as your DJL but I have seen them for less. I would also recommend a Keystone K109 model. They are built like a tank and use a 750 watt DDB bulb that you can get for under $10.

If your projector is a super 8 you could go with a more modern one that uses a Halogen bulb. The bulbs are brighter and cheaper, around $10, and last much longer. I have an Elmo 180 that projects a great picture. Some good brands to look for are Elmo, Eumig, Bolex but they can be expensive.

It's not that I don't like the B & H projectors, they are well built machines, I just think there are better options out there.

Thanks BAC,
My dads regular 8 B & H has a 500 watt CZX so I know that will fit, just not sure if those are still made or how long they will continue to be made. How many watts is a CXR? How much bigger is a 750 DDB compared to a CZX? if not much maybe I can make that work. How would a Halogen bulb compare to a CZX?

The CXR bulb is 8V/50W but 18-5 projector puts out a pretty good picture. The DDB bulb is a little taller and a little bigger in diameter than the CZX but I think they have the same or similar base. The DDB is 5.75" tall and 1.5" in diameter. I think Halogen bulbs are much better than any incandescent bulb. Before you go through the trouble of trying to retrofit your projector try looking around for a deal on a different one. Craigs List, thrift stores and garage sales all have great deals on projectors. I got my Elmo 180 for $15 at an estate sale, like new in the original box. I got my Keystone 109 for $15 as well, a good cleaning and some oil and it works great. You may run into other problems if you put a 750 watt bulb into your B & H like insufficient heat shield. Those bulbs put out a lot of heat.

[ECNtoo]

I've never heard of a bulb that was made to last 15 hours. It's a great business plan...in a way. I have a xenon lamp unit out of a BMW that I've been thinking about using to retrofit into a projector. The bulbs last hundreds of hours and put out that nice bright white light. And working with 12v is easy.

Maybe that's why most of the 346A B & H I've seen are in good shape, no one uses them because the bulbs are always burned out. I was thinking about trying an automotive bulb too but I don't want to have to find a spot in the projector to mount a 12 volt transformer.

The transformer isnt huge. Just fit it in a box on the outside of the unit or sperate to the projector. It doesnt have to be pretty as long as it works.

[slashmaster]

Thanks BAC, thanks everyone. BAC, I just spent a while going through super8data.com looking at all the elmo's, eumig's and Bolex's. The thing about all the ones I looked at is they are autoloads which are more likely to scratch the film. Mine was too, but mine was easy enough to take off the autoload parts. Can I trust these projectors? Have you ever had problems with your projectors scratching your films?

[BAC]

Thanks BAC, thanks everyone. BAC, I just spent a while going through super8data.com looking at all the elmo's, eumig's and Bolex's. The thing about all the ones I looked at is they are autoloads which are more likely to scratch the film. Mine was too, but mine was easy enough to take off the autoload parts. Can I trust these projectors? Have you ever had problems with your projectors scratching your films?

I'm with you, I don't like the autoload projectors because they can eat your film but most super 8 projectors are autoload. None of my 8mm projectors are autolaod.

I keep the film path clean and lubricated which helps a lot. I clean it with rubbing alcohol and then I use pure bees wax to lubricate it. I put a thin layer of the bees wax on and then wipe it off. Be careful around the lens and the gate, I take the lens out when I'm doing this. Cleaning your film is also important, I use FilmRenew. FilmGuard is another good one. they clean and lubricate the film. I have some old film that I use to test the projectors to make sure that they won't scratch.

[wahiba]

Our first home projector was a Kodak that used as far as i remember a DFC bulb. 150 volts and 50 watts I think. Now I still have the projector an at some fair I bought what i thought was a DFC bulb but was actually a DCF. The difference, as in all respects they looked the same, is the bulbs pointing 90 degrees differently to each other. I assume this must have been down to company A not wanting company B bulbs used on their projectors!!

The moral of the story. Make sure that what you want is is what you get.

One of these days I will trun the socket through 90 degrees, and then no doubt find the bulb is a dud.

[slashmaster]

Our first home projector was a Kodak that used as far as i remember a DFC bulb. 150 volts and 50 watts I think. Now I still have the projector an at some fair I bought what i thought was a DFC bulb but was actually a DCF. The difference, as in all respects they looked the same, is the bulbs pointing 90 degrees differently to each other. I assume this must have been down to company A not wanting company B bulbs used on their projectors!!

The moral of the story. Make sure that what you want is is what you get.

One of these days I will trun the socket through 90 degrees, and then no doubt find the bulb is a dud.

I would have probably made the same mistake. So the bulb plugs in but is turned the wrong way? Are the same 2 prongs for the filament the same on both? If not I would file off the keyway on the bulb so at least you won't have to mutilate the socket.

[wahiba]

Never thought of that. Dull day so I will get up in the loft and dig it out.

Also, is it possible to get a LED bulb that could be used in lieu of the 100W halogen common in projectors. Mains voltage halogen replacement LEDs are common, but not of the 12V variety. I know it is hoping too much for one with the right socket, but I can cope with that.

[slashmaster]

Never thought of that. Dull day so I will get up in the loft and dig it out.

Also, is it possible to get a LED bulb that could be used in lieu of the 100W halogen common in projectors. Mains voltage halogen replacement LEDs are common, but not of the 12V variety. I know it is hoping too much for one with the right socket, but I can cope with that.

I don't think LED's would be bright enough for a decent picture.

[wahiba]

The LED light source is filming directly from the gate with a camcorder.

After placing my email I checked with our national supplier of electrical odds and sods here in the UK, Maplins, and they do a 12V LED bulb. for some reason domestic light Halogen Reflectors have a slightly different socket, but Maplins sell them to too so all I need to think about is the diffuser. I wondered about this and then realised there is now a lot of packaging that shout provide a suitable source. Just hope I can get the camcorder to film down the barrel of the projector.