If you own an LCD or DLP projector, it’s important to commit to the right projector maintenance schedule. Doing so will help keep your projector working at its best. Whether you’ve spent thousands of dollars or hundreds of dollars on this essential business, education or home entertainment device, you must focus on performing a few easy tasks to keep it lasting as long as possible. Here is an easy to follow projector maintenance checklist from the professionals at Blue Label Power.
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Protect the Lens
One place to start with in maintaining your projector’s performance is at the lens or projection window. If you’ve never cleaned your projector’s lens, your display may appear smudged or out of focus. It’s easy to take a few minutes to wipe your lens off with a clean cloth. Some companies offer lens cleaning paper that is designed to wipe the surface of the lens without scratching it. You can also try using a specially designed lens cleaning solution for more stubborn spots that won’t come off just by wiping. This is a simple task that can be done every week if needed.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Because your projector emits heat and warm air, it’s important to provide your device with proper ventilation. Be aware of the vents along the surface of your projector and make sure these areas are free of debris or dust. Don’t position your projector in a spot where the vents are blocked. You can clear out any dust particles with a cloth or paper towel if your vents are clogged. It’s also a smart idea to pay careful attention to the sound your projector’s vents are making to avoid any overheating or malfunctioning problems.
Clean the Filter
The filter is another spot that needs regular maintenance in order to keep your projector working efficiently. Filters tend to get clogged with dust and particles, which could lead to your projector bulb overheating. In some models, you can simply take the filter out and clean it off manually. Other types of projectors may require you to use compressed air to clean out the filter. Replacing the filter may be necessary at some point in your projector’s life as well.
Replace the Lamp
At some point, it will be necessary to replace your projector’s bulb or lamp. Some projector models will continue to operate as the bulb loses power. If you notice the brightness of your display is slowly getting dimmer over time, this may be a sign that a new bulb is needed. Another issue is when your bulb suddenly goes out. You can increase the lifetime of your bulb or lamp by making sure you keep the filter and other areas around it clean and free of dust.
Test the Image Quality
Tech experts also recommend you conduct regular image quality tests with your projector. You can do this through an automatic diagnostic setting if your projector has this capability, or you can focus on displaying colors one at a time to detect any image problems. If you notice any issues with clarity as you show the colors one by one, it may mean you need to clean your projector even more or look at some replacement parts.
Change the Batteries
Projector accessories also may require batteries to keep your business presentation or movie night running smoothly. If your projector has an included laser pointer tool or remote control, over time, the batteries will start to weaken. All you need to do is check out the included batteries and replace them with a brand new set to get your projector and accessories working again.
Check the Power Cords
Another part of your projector that is sometimes neglected is the power cord. Additionally, the cords you use to connect your projector to your computer or another device should be checked or replaced as needed. If for some reason your projector isn’t working, check the wires to see if there is damage. Look at the small metal pins that connect your projector to another source to see if any are bent or missing. Also, check the cables to see if a hole or snag is making them inoperable. It’s also a good idea to consider upgrading to a wireless Bluetooth connection to avoid this problem.
Refer to the Manual
Most of all, it’s important to know that each projector is different when it comes to maintenance and cleaning requirements. Make sure you keep your projector’s manual around to see the best recommendations about what to do and how often. The manual is the best source of information if you need to figure out where important components are in your projector.
To keep this expensive device running and available whenever you need it, you’ll need to develop a good maintenance routine for your projector. You can also look around on Blue Label Power’s website to check out replacement items and accessories to add on to keep your projector going for a long time.
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