Projector Bulb Replacement Query: Mitsubishi HC5500

jArgHA

Hello all

I own a Mitsubishi HC5500 HD projector, which has been ticking away for about 9 years. About 2 weeks ago the projector refused to turn on the lamp, and I'm guessing the bulb has gone (either internal power supply or bulb). When the projector is 'booting up' I hear a clicking noise which I have read may be the projector trying to fire up the lamp but not succeeding?

I took the lamp housing out of the projector and there is no immediately obvious failure on the bulb (no part which looks burned, or obvious broken filament). The model number for the bare bulb is an Ushio NSH160MD.

Looking online, if I was to replace bare bulb only prices appear to be around £150 upwards. I did find one Ushio bare bulb on eBay at a very low cost with a very similar model number and was wondering if there is any way of finding if it might be compatible (the model number is NSH160MAB)..?

My main concern is paying for a new bare bulb or entire housing with bulb and then finding out that the faulty part may be internal power supply. Does anyone know if there is a way / service in Ireland for verifying if a lamp bulb is indeed after failing prior to investing in a new bulb?

Any advice greatly appreciated !

The Ritz

The clicking sound is the projectors ballast unit trying to start (ignite) the lamp - these lamps have an arc inside and it takes a serious voltage to start them. Have you re-seated the lamp and tried it again ? You would expect there to be some sign that the lamp was at the end of its life - discolouration etc, but it could be blown as you suggest - projectors usually have a sequence of power lamp flashes to indicate the nature of any problem, you'd find the details in the manual for the projector.

If it is the lamp, you could try here https://www.hcinema.de/lampen/suche-auto.php?id=n18516 for options for a new lamp or bare bulb - they are reputable, prompt and well know to projector enthusiasts, I've used them without problems.

I'm not acquainted with any projector techs - you could post on the Richersounds forum and ask them if they can refer you to someone they know.


Edit: I came across this: https://www.lightmeup.ie/maintenance-servicing/ - I have no experience with this but it might be worth a phone call to check it out.



Ritz.

jArgHA

The Ritz wrote: »

The clicking sound is the projectors ballast unit trying to start (ignite) the lamp - these lamps have an arc inside and it takes a serious voltage to start them. Have you re-seated the lamp and tried it again ? You would expect there to be some sign that the lamp was at the end of its life - discolouration etc, but it could be blown as you suggest - projectors usually have a sequence of power lamp flashes to indicate the nature of any problem, you'd find the details in the manual for the projector.

If it is the lamp, you could try here https://www.hcinema.de/lampen/suche-auto.php?id=n18516 for options for a new lamp or bare bulb - they are reputable, prompt and well know to projector enthusiasts, I've used them without problems.

I'm not acquainted with any projector techs - you could post on the Richersounds forum and ask them if they can refer you to someone they know.


Edit: I came across this: https://www.lightmeup.ie/maintenance-servicing/ - I have no experience with this but it might be worth a phone call to check it out.

Ritz.

@Ritz many thanks for your really helpful post. When I look at the bare bulb there is some discolouration (a kind of grayish / smoky colour) on part of the glass surrounding the arc tube, it is not on all of the glass but just one section near the base. I thought this might be normal discolouration which occurs over time but I am only guessing.

Thank you for the links also, I may indeed give lightmeup a call to get a rough quote on a lamp check.

gar32

If the bulb is mad money maybe look at buy a new projector. 9 years is old for a projector and you could get a new one for not much more then the price of the bulb.

good luck