Hello everyone,

This is going to be my very first post. Everyday for a couple weeks, I've been surfing on the forum to get a good idea on how to make my own projector. Right now, I'm trying to make a list of ideas before I blow away my money. All I want is a decent, working projector for my movies and video games. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just good enough to entertain my family and friends.

I think it would be more convenient for me to order Manhattan's 12.1 Samsung Kit with PW338 Controller for 275 bucks. 12.1 WXGA (1280x768) with HDMI controller. I wouldn't want to risk buying an assembled monitor screen without knowing what's inside it that will need some additional work. If you can throw in some good names, feel free.

I used the FocalCalc calculation. For a 100 inch screen I get:
9 feet Screen Distance
330 mm Fresnel Fl
320 mm Triplet Fl
353 mm LCD distance

I might use the same box design slusher357 used. I can build a sweet design later in the run once I have a working projector.

Once I get my feet wet, I'm going to create a mock-up of my enclosure out of cardboard, like John D did for his build, to keep my projector within 15 degrees without obscuring our view. I'm not sure how to add his link to the page so I'll just copy and paste the URL on here.
http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...mp;#entry288013



My parts list will "kind of" look like this (just throwing in ideas):

Manhattan's 12.1 Samsung Kit withPW338 Controller
-s15 projection lens triplet
-s15 lens kit. These might be too big for my 12.1 LCD
-A couple cooling fans. http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1017
-I still need to figure out which reflector I want to use. Maybe a Pro Reflector.
-400 watts Metal Halide with a ballast from a local hydroponic store

Will someone please send me a link where I can obtain a cool thermometer for my projector... possibly digital would be nice.

I know some of these things I've said are ridiculous. Please feel free to make some suggestions and adjustments. You can even say throw out the whole idea and start a fresh new one. I want you guys to know that I really tried but I'm not going to stop right here. I'm still determined to read and learn something new almost everyday. I'm really looking forward to have my own home theater.

Welcome to the forum!
It looks like you've done your research. From what I've seen, it looks like slusher357's enclosure was a straight horizontal box (lovingly referred to as a "dog coffin").
If the 12.1 that you get is the same model that I got from johnzo, you should be quite happy with it. You shouldn't need to strip anything from it (I didn't even need to strip any reflective layer off the back). It looks like his 12.1 LCD Kits are now being sold with a Pixelworks controller, so that's a nice bonus.

The LL S15 fresnels (220mm and 317mm) will work fine for the 12.1 LCD. You can cut them down to size (more info here), if they're too big for your enclosure. If you can find a really cheap OHP, you can even use the triplet and fresnels from that. The fresnels will most likely be fused together, but they can easily be cut apart. Google the make and model of the OHP to find out what it's triplet and Fresnel FLs are.

You'll want to make sure the lamp you buy has the right specs (color temp and CRI). Refer to the Best Bulbs Chart. Since you're using the 12.1 LCD, you might want to pick up LL's double-ended 400W lamp (or similar), as it's much smaller than LL's T15 type lamp (something like 11" long). You might even be satisfied with a 150W or 250W lamp. It's easier to use a reflector with a lamp that has a smaller envelope.

I bought some nice Scythe KAMA THERMO thermometers (comes in Celsius or Fahrenheit) - Search http://www.aerocooler.com usng "Scythe TM02-WH KAMA".

I'd personally rather buy the Pro reflector than put in the time and money experimenting with bowls, ladles and such.

You also want to keep in mind that it's best to be able to adjust the triplet and light engine forward and back (+/- 1").

I've found that Google Sketchup is handy to use to design and visualize what your projector will look like. And best of all, there's a free version you can use. If you go to the Google 3D Warehouse and do a search for Lumenlab, you'll find that some members have uploaded parts that they have modeled so you can download them and use them in your own model.

I look forward to seeing your progress!

Thank you Quasi Mojo very much for your with useful information! I appreciate it!

You're right, it is a 12.1 LCD from Johnzo.


New parts list:

12.1 samsung kit w/ PW338 controller ($275)
base for double ended 400w lamp ($20)
double ended 400w lamp ($90)
pro reflector ($15)
s15 LENS KIT:
-s15 projection lens triplet ($35)
-220mm s15 Fresnel lens ($17.50)
-317mm s15 Fresnel Lens ($17.50)
scythe TM02-WH KAMA THERMO Thermometer (fahrenheit) ($5.90)
A couple fans
A temperature plane

TOTAL: $475.90... so far, excluding the fans and the plane.


I hope a 400w double ended lamp isn't going to be too much for my LCD but I'm down for it.

Some of those items are out of stock right now, but hopefully I'll be able to order them soon. I will search different places, and maybe I will get lucky.

On the other hand, I'm thinking about substituting the s15 Lens Kit and triplet lens, the materials that come with an overhead projector (triplet lens and fresnels.. cheaper).


Second opinions are always welcome.

Again, thank you Quasi Mojo.

Well, when looking for parts, always check out these places
SurplusShed
Rapid Electronics
McMaster Carr

Surplus shed is a nice place for reflectors and lenses

Rapid has great prices on electrical components

McMaster Carr has everything on the planet.

Personally I would like to know where LL get's their Fresnel lenses as I have nothing
with the dimensions they have at the price they have them for. I only care because
I have a couple unique projects that their current lenses won't work with.