Just had a major scare with my AE500 - any ideas why?

[dan1979]

About 16 months old 1818 on the bulb all in low lamp so I expect a fair bit more life in it yet, used it last night all fine.

Switched it on today and the picture was really dark and faint, gave the lens a clean but did nothing, try another source (white background) but it was all faint again like the contrast was out.

Cue panics of £250 for a new bulb or worse a faulty machine (it was a grey import)

Obviously I checked all the settings but nothing had to changed. Only thing I could think of was possibly condensation inside the unit (we get a lot on the window). I took the unit apart and blasted everywhere with compressed air, crossed my fingers restarted it and it worked fine.

Could my condensation theory be right or is there a possible other cause someone could shed some light on?

 

[Lucas]

Condensation inside a projector seems unlikely, unless it(the projector) was cold and a rush of humid warm air was blasted through it.

Window condensation is because the humid inside air goes from vapour to liquid form on the cold(due to the outside colder temp) window glass.

 

[Knyght_byte]

Condensation inside a projector seems unlikely, unless it(the projector) was cold and a rush of humid warm air was blasted through it.

Window condensation is because the humid inside air goes from vapour to liquid form on the cold(due to the outside colder temp) window glass.

. o 0 (and now for the science bit?....hehe)

 

[dan1979]

I know how condensation works, it was just the only thing I could think of for such a bizzare event, I'm worried it might happen again - I'd rather not keep dismantling the projector.

 

[SeaneyC]

Hmm, sounds like it could have been a problem with the projector striking the bulb properly, which could either be a one off or the first signs of a problem. Unfortunately i cannot tell you which, so this reply has been completely pointless! If it hasn't happened again and you've used the projector a fair few times, i would be inclined to say you shouldn't worry about it too much, and it was just a freak incident.

 

[dan1979]

Well today was the first time I've used it since that problem and its been absoloutely fine, so fingers crossed it was just a one of glitch of some kind.