[simpits-tech] My projector fix project

[Brian Sikkema]

You truly are a sick individual, Sean. Keep us posted ;)

Brian
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean Galbraith" <sean.g@paradise.net.nz>
To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 2:54 PM
Subject: [simpits-tech] My projector fix project


> As some will know my projector took it' s own life in a rather grand
manner
> some time ago, and I have been working on a cheap fix.
>
> I have investigated alternatives to the seriously expensive original
> replacement bulbs, but have ended up at a bit of a brick wall;  The
> projector uses a metal halide bulb, which uses a ballast and transformer
> setup which is very sensitive to the type of bulb being attached.  From
> research I've done it appears that if the replacement bulb is more than
> about 1% different in spec then it will blow either the ballast or
> transformer.  Not good.
>
> I have however stumbled over (which is a fair indication of my research
> skills...) two possible solutions.  One easy, one much harder, but do-able
> and with some very positive benefits.
>
> 1, Many projectors have a way for technicians to isolate the signal
> generator from the lamp parts of the unit.  Used for service/repair
> work.  The down side is you will most likely need a tech/repair manual for
> the projector to find out how to do this.  Tech manual for my projector is
> not available, so I have asked around and got some tips..... results to
> follow, assuming I don't blow myself to tiny little bits :)
>
> 2, If I can't get No1 to work then it's off to the department of drastic
> measures!
> I have been looking at some of the DIY projector projects on the net...and
> thought to my_sick_self "I can do better than that.."  Most of the DIYs
use
> little tiny LCD's lit with consumer lighting units....
> So I, using the Tim "The Toolman" approach thought.....more power :)
> A projector consists of 3 main parts;  Light source, Image generator and
lens.
> - Lens I got, remember the dead projector?
> - Light source... I spec some pretty good lights in stuff I design at work
> so that's no problem.
> - Image generator, forget 4" LCD's.... What about a 15" LCD..which are
> getting cheaper by the hour?
> I figure, rip the back of the LCD, shine honking big light through, focus
> with lenses...easy huh?
> This solution will be much *MUCH* bigger than a commercial projector
setup,
> but has two definite advantages;  Bulbs will last thousands of hours,
> rather than hundreds (oh and they are cheap) and a modern LCD has much
> better resolution and colour depth than my existing projector.
>
> This weekend I plan on test flying the P-3 sim setup and then delving into
> the innards of the projector and see what happens...wish me luck!
>
> Sean.
>
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