The PJ I am working on is for my father's church. I curently have an Nfinity model that uses 420W 82V Halogen bulbs. Operation costs are high at 36 buck a pop for a bulb plus they don't last more than 3 weeks so thus the LumenLab unit with a Metal Halide Bulb... However, I would like to know if any one has tried or thought of using a 1000 Watt bulb... Now you might think its overkill but let me tell you that in a big building with more than 90 people the powerpoint presentation is never bright enough for the old timmers... (No disrespect meant its just that they refuse to sit closer because they are used to their pews, etc, etc...) So I want to know peoples opinions (so so) and experiences (definite plus!). If i calculate correctly I will be drawing about 9 amps on a 120V Circuit just for the ballast plus the fans (about 6 120MM 120V fans). My projectors are being designed in a modular fashion. Ballast and cap go in one box with a 120mm Fan and are designated "Power Supply" From here I have a special ended cord run to the PJ carring the higher voltage Juice for the bulb. The reason for the isolation of the PS is heat and RF interference. I know my ailing eye was putting out some serious lumens before the overdrive (capacitors at work! killed it and the Heat generated was monsterous but quite a bit was from the Transformer, I'd Say 1/4-1/3. The lumen output for 1000w is in the 90k range so if the pannel eats 80% that still leaves me 18k minus plumbing losses I guess about 9k lumens (BTW initial output is 120K) I am talking about the 1000W EYE found at 1000bulbs.com The price is 38.93 and the ballast (multi-tap) is listed at 130-80 Dollards depending on which brand you want. This PJ would also be used outdoors for presentations, movies, youth rallys, etc, etc... The proposal will go yay or nay depending on the 15" I'm building now... I plan to use a wider panel for the monster and the new lenses as well. Why build such a thing? Because I Don't feel like shelling out over $15K for something I can build Cheaper, Better, and maintain much more easily (12k hour bulbs). Also this money comes out of My pocket as these are My toys. I just let Dad borrow them because I sleep better at night knowing my toys are being put to good use. (Must be a Conscious/Soul/God Issue...You know that Talent story, yeah that one where the guy buries the money and ends up in hell for it. That one! I'd rather have something to show for than nothing at all... Opps i rambled on here... ) So is there such a thing as to many lumens. I Think the black will probably end up gray but my Nfinity does that now so what...However, I am concerned about the whole zoom lenses, 700 mm fres, and Where will i get such a big screen. Currently lookin for a 110" screen but the monster will have to deliver twice that at least...

Thank you for your thoughtfull and thought provoking replies...

Ezra

You will have to compensate for a LOT more heat. It might even require some type of forced air cooling instead of passive removal. I think that will be your biggest design consideration if going with a 1000w bulb.

~DM~

I agree, heat lots of it, IR lots of it, UV lots of it. Box would need to be bigger to hold the bigger lamp.

Give it a try and let us know how it works.