i have been running the projector i built without a tempered glass or lexan heat sheild. the cooling/fan/vent that i put in the projector seems to keep the lcd cool enough, even though i'm running the projector for 5 hours at a time.

the bulb i am using is one of the old ushios - Ushio s400dd. i think it is throwing off alot of uv, although i don't know this for sure.

should i worry about the uv damaging my lcd over time?

i'd rather not put in my tempered glass, as i think it will dim my picture.

thanks,
kevin

I can't really tell you how that will affect your LCD over time, but I put in the lexan
because it has pretty high transmissiveness and I would rather play it safe than
sorry. Someone else can get more technical.

UV will deteriorate the chemicals in the LCD over time.. colors will wash out and contrast will fade. this is over years of use though so it won't be too noiticeable until you compare to a fresh LCD.

is it just me or did LL stop selling the UV filter?? I was going to suggest that but I can't find it in their store.. btw i don't think tempered glass blocks UV but lexen X10 does. I'm in the middle of my second build and don't plan to use any glass or lexan (but i do have a UV filter).

Have you noticed any bowing or discoloration in your lenses? heat may cause them to bend and UV might turn them yellowish over time..

tempered glass blocks no UV inherently whereas XL10 does.

Just to clarify...

most tempered glass will block most of the UVB rays (those which cause sunburn) and some UVA, but lexan XL10 has a dedicated layer for blocking the majority of UVA (as well as any UVB).

cheers,
gs

from reading forum posts i think i saw somewhere that the lexan is available in the states at home depot, but not in canada.

perhaps i should start a new post asking where to get the lexan or equivalent in canada....

so far no discolouration or warping in my lenses or in my lcd - this is after about 25 hours use.