Could it be the bulb going out already. I noticed that my picture brightness and quality started slipping the last few days. Then tonight I opened the cover while the projector was on.

I noticed that the bulb was not getting as bright as it used to. Could it be the bulb or how about the ballast, or capacitor.

The EYE 400 W / Bulb from Lighting Unlimited should have more life than this. Only 8 months? No way has it reached the thousands of hours that the life of the bulb should last...

Any suggestions.

Well, the standard answer would be; check all connections and the socket for signs of carbon arcing before writing off the bulb.

So Far the socket is completly clean. And also the end of the bulb. I even used a pencil eraser just in case.

This is Odd. The bulb shouldn't be going out this fast! Definately not getting as bright.

If I have to purchase a new bulb - should I go with this one ---- 400W Ushio Pulse-Strike Lamp

Instead of getting a new small EYE bulb.


Will the Ushio work with the M59 Coil Ballast.....?

Is there a way I can tell by looking at any physical signs on the bulb that it is bad...?

Not reliably.



Sometimes you can see signs of scorching on the arc envelope, as far as telling how much will kill your bulb, I don't know.

Probably the only good way to tell if your bulb is bad is to test the open circuit voltage of the ballast.
http://www.sperolighting.com/ballast.html

I've been talking to dave at lighting unlimited - he was very kind to communicate with me via email, even calling me.

He sent over a few tests. So far the thinking is that somehow the bulb is going bad. What is odd is that it only has about 350 hours on it.

I notice on the arc tube ends - not the white part but on the clear ends there is a darker
1/4 inch ring around each side.

Thanks for your input, it is very helpful.

Dave has offered to replace the bulb, even though it was purchased back in April of 2004. That too me is great business.

I thought mine was getting darker. Took the top off and it was filthy inside )
Not to much different than a PC really. Blew it out with canned air and all is well.
Note to self, blow out the projector every once in a while..

Hello.... If you have a good filter on top - the inside of the projector shouldn't really get filthy.


Also I did a test on the M59 Ballast - The voltage is fine
I checked the Capacitor - It checks out fine.


It must be the bulb gone bad.

I noticed a few times it seems to get bright for about a few min, after warm up. Then it looses the brightness, and I can notice a flicker in the arc tube. EYE bulb. It only worked for about 350 hours.

I caculated that is how many hours I had the projector running since the end of April 2004. Of course a couple of hours here and there. Sometimes a few.

Worked great up until last week sometime.