Sanyo PLC XE-40 Projector Problems!!!!!!

[chewee]

Hi everyone.

I have begun the process of cleaning the inside of the Sanyo PLC XE-40 Projectors where i work.

We have been having issues with colouration of the projected image (sorry its not the best photo but it does show some pinky colouration)

My questions are

1 - what is causing this colouration, is it dust in the machine, is it the chromatic lenses in the optcal chamber, is it burning on the glass lens, is it bulb related?

2 - is there any way that the colouration of the image can be measured, so some sort of scale that can be used to build a case of how bad the projectors have gotten(quantifiable evidence)

3 - does anyone know of somewhere that sells spare parts for these (in the uk) i have contacted panasonic and they said they cannot sell me spare parts, several other companies refused to either.

 

Unfortunately the school where i work has no funds to replace these projectors so servicing them is our only option and last time we sent them off to be serviced the cost was quite high and two came back completely broken.

Any and all help is hugely appreciated.

[bossman]

@chewee

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/hardware/42705-cleaning-sanyo-plc-xe40-projector.html

 

Hope this helps

[chewee]

Unfortunately that is the thread i used to initially clean them, i cleaned the one in the photo in june but have just started a cleaning process for others, this first one has now started being bad regarding colouration again and im wondering if i will have to clean the insides every few months which will be a nightmare given we have 20 of these projectors.

[Joanne]

I found that the pink colour was always caused from dust, especially with Sanyos. Deep cleaning helped, but check your filters, perhaps they are not filtering enough and need replacing. That's the only place dust should be able to get into really...

[chewee]

the filters are cleaned monthly but should they be replaced too, these projectors are 8years old now and still have original parts minus the bulbs

[bossman]

@chewee

 

The actual prisms get scorched and the colour filters too!

 

No amount of cleaning will suffice, I'm afraid after 8 years these projectors require new parts which will cost as much as a new replacement, we went down the route of Casio which are now well down in price from what I've seen,

 

The school are going to have to come up with a cost solution based on their requirements as you have done as much as you possibly can to resolve the issue.

[chewee]

@bossman

 

i thought that may be the case, damn! So i can put together a case for replacement do you know if there is any way of measuring the colouration in a quantifiable way? i cant say i have thought of any way due to the number of variable such as ambient lighting due to the sun and classroom lights.

[Joanne]

I'd probably say that children were getting sore eyes!

 

You could probably get some good reconditioned projectors to replace them with... if your school is skint.

[Iain.Faulkner]

We've experiencing the same problems with the 60/70 of these projectors that we have in school :-( Found similar though I'm afraid, no matter how much cleaning you do, the difference it makes is small. We've ended up replacing them (gradually not all at once) with the new Casio's. The difference between them is incredible. Teacher's had learned to live with the poor image produced by the aging projectors and when we replaced them they were over the moon.

[chewee]

if i were to propose replacement i would need to be able to say for example on scale of 1 to 10 this projector is a 9 in how crap it is, also does anyone have any reccomendations regarding projectors, it would need to have VGA input and return for a monitor.

[Iain.Faulkner]

if i were to propose replacement i would need to be able to say for example on scale of 1 to 10 this projector is a 9 in how crap it is, also does anyone have any reccomendations regarding projectors, it would need to have VGA input and return for a monitor.

 

Could you buy 1 projector as a test? Invite the SLT to a demonstration of the two? Put them next to each other projecting onto a wall with the lights on and ask them what they think?

[chewee]

unfortunately the way the finances work we would have to provide some quantifiable proof that the projectors are degrading and the cleaning will only do so much, once that has been reviewed then they would look at buying a replacement. its a pain but its the way the system works to prevent spending money when we dont need to, everything needs to be justified

[Boredguy]

I always deep clean our XE-40's when I start to see the discolouration on the screen (especially purple) and I take it right down so I can get to the prisms and mirrors inside (but not to the point of disassembling the square right at the heart)

 

A good blast with the air compressor on all the componets and they go back to nice and clear projection

[Iain.Faulkner]

unfortunately the way the finances work we would have to provide some quantifiable proof that the projectors are degrading and the cleaning will only do so much, once that has been reviewed then they would look at buying a replacement. its a pain but its the way the system works to prevent spending money when we dont need to, everything needs to be justified

 

Hmmmm ok, how about contact one of your suppliers and see if they will give you a demo unit to use for a couple of weeks?

 

Alternatively, I'm sure there used to be a document (possibly produced by one of the teaching unions) that detailed a series of guidelines on how projectors should be used. I think (but could easily be wrong) that one of the points said something about how projectors should be visible with the main classroom lights on in order to reduce eye strain. Could be wrong on this, but I'll see if I can dig it out as it may support your cause.

[ricki]

Hi I don't have a solution but I get some refurbished ones from Leroy on 01254264265

[chewee]

Hmmmm ok, how about contact one of your suppliers and see if they will give you a demo unit to use for a couple of weeks?

 

Alternatively, I'm sure there used to be a document (possibly produced by one of the teaching unions) that detailed a series of guidelines on how projectors should be used. I think (but could easily be wrong) that one of the points said something about how projectors should be visible with the main classroom lights on in order to reduce eye strain. Could be wrong on this, but I'll see if I can dig it out as it may support your cause.

 

i may have to look into loaning one for comparrison, if you could find it that would be brilliant as it would be great proof, especially since the kids have special needs and often find things difficult to read at the best of times

[chewee]

i would just like to say thank you to everyone for you help too.

one thing that hasn't been answered though is if there is any way to do a quallitative comparison regarding image quality, i dont know much about the testing aspect regarding projectors and lighting and i cannot think of any way of asigning a meaningful numerical value to it but i wondered if anyone her could think of some sort of system.

The best idea i have had is to use the BBC test card and see how many sections the colouration is in but that doesnt say how intense the colouration is, just how widespread

[Joanne]

the only way is to just look at the difference really. You can't really give a number for how bright / dull / colouration of a device. Maybe just rate them out of 10.

 

If you really want to show how rubbish the old ones are, play a video that is a bit dark. You won't be able to watch it on the old rubbish projector, but on the newer one you will be able to see everything.

 

At the end of the day you need to tell them that they pay you to do this job, and in your professional opinion the old projectors are past it and on the brink of giving people eye strain.

[ricki]

I like testing with football matches as so much of the screen all one colour

[techedu07]

We have lots of these, and they still are running, filters out, bulb out, cover off, disconnect pcb and remove, light cover off, twin fans out, rear fan out, Blow and lightly brush down, Blow out fixed fan and optics area until NO dust comes out. 4 screws remove 4 screws and lift away filter plate, very lightly blow filters and wipe gently if needed use reflection of light to see if there is any dust on them! Remove lenses one at time - note which way round! - 3 nearer lcd block when removed, blow lcd screen and wipe if needed gently. Reassemble carefully, all good. We clean filters every 3-4 months and do an annual inspection of the clarity of the image, and clean as required.

[Passat1983ICTech]

hi there

 

just look at the image on the screen and its look like to me it on the way out for the projector as there is red patches on the image