Well to start I was wondering if I could build a projector using the pro Fresnel lens and a s15 triplet with a 17" monitor?

I've already built a frame for my projector. I figured building it on a frame would allow it to be sturdy while cutting back on weight (i'll skin it in a light material... fiberglass maybe). My box is huge, so I can easily upgrade to a 19" lcd or move any component. I've made the "heart" of my box in between the focal length of the pro and s15 triplets. I did this so a box in box focus mechanism could be used to quickly switch between a short or long throw. The s15 being an "inny", whereas the pro triplet would be an "outty' box in box. both would use the same track. this would also allow me to buy the cheap lens now and buy the pro later. Any idea as to whether this will work or not?

another question I had is... Is more light always better? I ask because I found What might be the best fan ever for a projector. Its a vent fan for a microwave (see picture below). It runs almost completely silent , moves a LOT of air, and its barrel design will allow little to no light to escape. I'm pretty sure with a pane of tempered glass, and this fan, heat won't even come close to being an issue. So would it be beneficial to up the wattage of the light?




I'm planning on adding boards only where I need them to mount things. Hopefully the frame design will make for some great Component shots before its skinned.

damn thats a big box.

i think that that fan would be ok. i suggest you use a small one on the lcd to be on the safe side. plus being the box so big it would dissipate the heat very good.

good luck on your build

Yeah I Have a pretty big woodshop at my disposal. I figured The box doesn't matter much because I can re build it to fit my components perfectly later. This will be my first time setting up the optics; I'm a little nervous and want plenty of room to test different setups. once I'm comfortable with whats going on, I'll work on dropping the size

Anyone know if what I said in the original post is possible?

no, you can't use the pro fresnels with the standard triplet. the FL of the triplet and fresnel must match, or have the fresnel a little bit longer FL.

Theoretically speaking, so long as you can control the heat, more lumens will always give you a brighter projection. LL member Arizonavideo has used 1200 watt light engines I believe, and at least one other member has successfully used a 1000watter.

However total lumens is not the only factor that accounts for a quality image. And lamps greater than 575w are usually huge and cumbersome to build with, and have large arcs that make it difficult to fit their light cones into the projection lens.

Here is a thread that cover this topic in greater depth.

My first 15" projector, I ended up using as a test bench for the pro lenses when they were first out. I put an "extension" onto my box which held the pro lens, so yes. It can be done, as long as you allow the box to be large enough that it does not block the lens. It's not really an ideal box, but it will work. I ended up putting the standard lenses back into that box, and building a new one.

Beware of "temporary" setups. My pro lens box was supposed to just be a big test bench, which I was going to rebuild once I proved (or disproved) my theories on how to get a brighter projection. Here it is almost 2 years later, and I haven't changed a thing. It works, and works very well, so I leave it alone.