Maintenance and Product Care Tips for Your Short Throw Projector

Over time, even the most efficient of machines will start to break down.  Especially products like projectors, that give us movies, and TV shows, and convenient work tools. Even the best projectors can fall prey to the hands of time. Here are a few tips for taking care of your short throw projector in order to keep your equipment running for as long as possible.

Finding solutions to problems is incredibly easy if you know the cause. Understanding WHY things are breaking down can not only lead to quicker maintenance but also help with preventative measures! Taking the steps to help prevent future damage to your projector is almost always beneficial in the long run.

Being familiar with how your product functions, understanding its basic system settings and making sure that you properly care for your projector are all very important. Before purchasing a projector, find a quality review that can help you understand what you can expect from your equipment.

Being aware of the various costs of maintaining your projector is also vital to prolonging its life. If a bulb goes out, and you’re not able to afford a new one, that presentation you had planned for Monday, or your Friday night horror movie marathon will be completely ruined.

Understanding the Problem

Read your manual as soon as you unbox your projector. Read it thoroughly, then if you have time, read it again. A basic understanding of how your machine operates is probably the most important step in caring for your short throw projector.

If you can understand why things are not functioning properly, it will make the maintenance go that much smoother. Imagine that your machine is over-heating, and you remember reading through the manual about having to change the filter to avoid said over-heating, then the next logical step would be to change the filter.

Perhaps you binge watch Netflix every night and shut off your machine without letting it cool down properly. Having read your manual, you shouldn’t be surprised to find your lamp life isn’t as long as expected.

Knowing what could happen before it happens may save the life of your projector. But always read the user manual thoroughly before attempting any self-maintenance.

Cleaning and Self-Maintenance

If you have a chore list in your home or office, cleaning and maintaining your projector regularly should be a part of it. There are many ways to take preventative measures against normal wear and tear. Cleaning a lens with the proper cloth, keeping your projector free of dust, and treating your projector like the investment it is, will all help to extend the life of your product.

Cleaning your machine is easy if you keep to your manual’s instructions. Your projector really doesn’t need THAT much work to keep it running at an optimal level. You can clean the projection window, clean the air filters, and clean the air vents in order to prevent overheating.

• Remove dust or smudges by gently wiping the lens with a lens cloth or lens-cleaning paper.
• For harder smudges, use a lens cleaner that is NOT flammable. Don’t want to cause a fire from the high heat of projector lamps. The less chemicals, the better! You can even make your own!
• Follow the instructions in your user’s manual on how to clean the air filter properly. Instructions will vary from machine to machine. Generally, the steps are very simple and clear and don’t require any arduous physical labor.

You should avoid cleaning the projector while it is turned on, or while it is plugged into a power source. Operators should also avoid opening any panels, except what is specifically stated in your manual. Fiddling around inside your machine could void the warranty and cause serious injury.

Self-Maintenance is also incredibly simple. Owners should only replace air filters, lamps, and removable batteries. Anything not specifically mentioned in the nifty little book that comes with your projector (cough… the manual) should be serviced by a professional.

The Cost of Care

It’s easy to let maintenance slip when there is a hefty price tag involved. However, replacing lamps and filters are an essential part of projector upkeep. Being aware of professional costs is also a good idea, so you’re not blindsided by a huge bill if your projector breaks down.

• Filters can cost anywhere from around $8.00 to $110.00 depending upon the brand.
• Lamps can be a bit more expensive. Replacements can cost between $15.00 and $850.00. Taking care of short throw projectors can be a bit pricey at times!
• The cost of professional repairs will vary depending upon what may be wrong with it. Make sure to find a local repair shop, call, and see what their services cost. It may also boil down to the cost of the repair versus the cost of the projector. If your projector cost $500, but the repair may be $600, then you may have to make some hard choices.

It’s Easy To Maintain A Short Throw Projector

Simple everyday upkeep for your projector could lead to enjoying it much longer than you expected. From a dusting the lens here and there, to properly clean out the filter, maintaining your product is super easy. The wear and tear of everyday use take its toll on all our favorite electronics. Keep the costs down and the longevity of your short throw projector up by implementing these super easy tips!