DLP bulb burning out
 

Anyone know what would cause a DLP bulb to burn out quickly?

I've had my DLP burn out three times already in as many years.

I just bought a new bulb on the 7th of November and i just burned out today.

Heat? Are they like projectors where they need a fan? I don't know, don't own a DLP, but it seems like that might be an issue to consider.

I was told they could burn out easier if you turn it off and back on again without waiting for the cool down period (mine has a blinking light until its all cooled down).

As for the new bulbs, are you ordering just the bulbs, or the whole assembly that comes in and out? I found that when I had to replace mine (freak incident...its just 'popped' and went out), that the bulb alone was like half the price of the whole assembly and was fairly easy to install yourself.

Bulbs burning out prematurely can be caused by various things. Most of them have already been hit on. Just a bad bulb, doubt this with as often as you're replacing them. Overheating, check any air filters and make sure there is sufficient ventilation the TV/projector. Excessive power cycling, the bulb should be allowed to fully cool down before it is turned back on. Remember that the bulb continues to cool for a few minutes after the fan shuts off. Contaminated bulb; oils from you fingers while installing the bulb, grease being pulled in from a nearby kitchen, smoke from a fireplace, etc. will severely shorten a bulbs lifespan.

First bet is poor ventilation: clean your filter and check the fans.
Second is you're not giving it time to heat cycle: if you shut it off, wait at least 15 minutes before you turn it on again, preferably an hour.
Third is you're leaving it on too long: never more than 6 hours unless it specifically says it's OK.
Four is you spilled beer on it.

So I replaced the bulb again under a 1yr warranty I got on the last one, and it only lasted a week. I heeded all of your suggestions, from making sure that I installed it with a glove to taking a whole can of air to the inside of the TV and cooling fan. Right now I've got a dead DLP, run through four bulbs.

What now? Is it really worth it to find a TV repair shop, get them to diagnose the issue? I really don't like buying $100 bulbs, but I like less the idea of throwing out a $1000 TV.

Bulb: BP96-01653A
TV: HL-S4676S

This is just a couple shot in the dark ideas, but I'm gonna throw them out there...

Do you notice other light bulbs in your home seem to burn out quickly? If so...

How clean is your power?

Does the home get alot of vibration (train tracks nearby, freeway or bridge really close, upstairs neighbor training elephants)?

I've got a few PCs that stay on 24/7 and actually now that you mention it I've only had one lightbulb burn out in 2 years here. I wish it were that.. :(

From what I am reading, it sounds like you may have a bad ballast...might be worth a call to a couple of repair shops to pick their brain.

Yeah, either the ballast or the voltage regulator for the bulb is fucked. Like any device, if voltage drops, it starts pulling extra current and fries stuff quickly.