Clean my filters? - Never?!
More often than not when a client calls needing a new lamp (bulb) for his or her projector, or wonders why the lamp didn’t last as long as it might have, I often ask the follow-up question, “Have you cleaned the filters on the machine?”
“Filters? I didn’t know this thing had a filter.” Oops.
Ongoing filter maintenance is a very important part of keeping your projector cool so that your lamp lasts as long as possible. I can’t tell you how many times people have called about a bad lamp only to discover that their filters are fully clogged. Clogged filters force the operating temperature higher and shorten lamp life.
Cleaning your filters also prevents dust build-up on the LCD panels that causes yellow spots on the projected image and creates a repair that isn’t covered by your warranty.
Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the filters quarterly, but if your projector is installed 20’ off the ground, how do you gain easy access to get it done?
Late last year, Sanyo developed its Active Maintenance Filter System (AMFS) to alleviate such issues. AMFS senses dirty filter material and advances clean material into place automatically for up to 2000 hours of projector operation. When the filter cartridge expires, a warning appears on the screen that suggests that you change the filter. At 8 hours of use per week, that filter cartridge should last 4-5 years. You still have to change the cartridges, but periodic filter cleaning is not required.
Projectors with AFMS cost a little more than comparable projectors, but if you don’t have to worry about quarterly filter maintenance and you get extra life from the projector lamp, you’ll come out ahead – way ahead.
Not keeping your filters clean might also cost you a warranty claim since some manufacturers void their warranties, if it’s discovered that you didn’t keep the filters clean.
Sanyo offers the PLC-XC55 at 3100 ANSI Lumens and the PLC-XC50 at 2600 ANSI Lumens. Both feature plenty of brightness and great video performance for portable or installed use on screen sizes up to 7.5x10’, depending upon how much light is reflected by your screen.
If you have questions, please call for more information on selecting a projector for your use.
Replacement filter cartridges are $50. That sure beats climbing up and down ladders or scaffolding for the next 4-5 years, doesn’t it?!