Help with Metal Halide lamps

[Boborann]

I got a used 3M MP8030 projector that uses a 260 Watt Metal Halide bulb was
running when I picked it up but today I get a message that the lamp is bad
All I did between yesterday and today was clean teh filter and didn't jar
the unit at all

Before I go out and spend $400+ on a new bulb I was hoping someone could
tell me if and how I can test it ( it test open with an ohmmeter ) but after
seeing references to Ballast I thought this might not be conclusive



And if its bad does anybody have a tip on lower cost options than buying the
entire assy which is how 3M sells teh replacement

Thanks in Advance

Bob

 

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I got a used 3M MP8030 projector that uses a 260 Watt Metal Halide bulb was
running when I picked it up but today I get a message that the lamp is bad
All I did between yesterday and today was clean teh filter and didn't jar
the unit at all

Before I go out and spend $400+ on a new bulb I was hoping someone could
tell me if and how I can test it ( it test open with an ohmmeter ) but after
seeing references to Ballast I thought this might not be conclusive



And if its bad does anybody have a tip on lower cost options than buying the
entire assy which is how 3M sells teh replacement

Thanks in Advance

Bob

There is no cost effective way to test the bulb other than putting it
in another identical and known working unit. Be aware that a bad bulb
can damage a ballast and a bad ballast can damage a good bulb.

How many hours were on the lamp before it went out? Lamp could simply
be at the end of its life and the unit has shut it down until it is
replaced and the lamp timer is reset.

Did you allow the unit to cool off before unplugging it the last time
it was run? Unplugging a unit while the lamp is hot and before the
fans have cooled the lamp down can damage the lamp significantly
reducing its life or potentially permanently damaging it if the unit is
moved or carried with a hot lamp.

As for lower cost options, there are several third party vendors that
might have the lamp assembly at a lower cost than 3M directly.
$300-400 is about the average price for the lamps.

Metal halide lamps generally operate with a high voltage spark to start
the lamp, ~30kV, and then runs with a voltage around 120V to 300V.
They will always read open on a multimeter. Never touch the lamp or
any part of the glass with your bare fingers, any grease on the glass
will cause it to fail.

You didn't by chance break off one of the cover open tabs or damage the
cover open safety switch on either the lamp housing cover or filter
cover? Some units required the filter cover be in place or it won't
turn on.

 

[Boborann]

Thanks its working
It was an interlock on the filter that wasn't obvious
No Idea what the hours are from what I can find you need the remote to get
them and I don't have one
Bob