Rolling replacement of projectors - just dont know where to start...

[Little-Miss]

We have 21 classroom projectors in dire need of replacement. They are 4+ years old and pretty poorly maintained.

 

Seeing my definate budget today, there is no way on earth i can replace all 21 at once....even with a buy now pay over 3 years type thing.

 

But i really dont want to buy anymore bulbs for them. Especially as a lot of them come with bulb warrantys now.

 

But because they are all in such a bad state (some worse then others) i dont know where to start, but something needs to happen...

 

Any opinions or recommendations?

[mattx]

I would prioritise which ones need replacing first. And when they are make sure they are correctly maintained, filters [ if they have them ] are cleaned and the bulbs put in Eco mode and they are powered off at the end of the day.

You may have to explain to the staff why you have just replaced those [ budget restraints etc ] and at least then you have some of the older ones you can keep as spares until you get your next lot of money in.

I know it's hard but if you are nice to the teachers and keep them in the loop as to what's going on with your plan on projector replacement they will hopefully understand.......

Not a great method I know but a way to slowly replace the projectors say over a year or so.

It's either that or beg, steal, and borrow money from elsewhere - can't you get the money out of capital if it's over a certain amount ?

[Little-Miss]

Well i was thinking about approaching our PTA about it. They've just paid for our AV install in the hall....

 

Capital - possibly...

[steve]

Perhaps look at the worst in each subject area - to ensure no department feels left out.

 

Or ask subject areas to match the funding - go 50/50 on the replacement costs (assuming subject areas get money).

[featured_spectre]

Perhaps look at the worst in each subject area - to ensure no department feels left out.

 

Or ask subject areas to match the funding - go 50/50 on the replacement costs (assuming subject areas get money).

 

We do this as well, that way they feel they get best value and feel appreciated (even if it does suck up some of their budget)

[Little-Miss]

poop, should mention i'm Primary! sorry guys..

[localzuk]

My method of doing it is to replace the ones which are not functional (ie. ones with terrible image quality etc...). I also replace any that get through more than 1 bulb in a year, and work back from there. Make sure you take a look at the Casio projectors, due to their longer life, lower maintenance cost etc... We will be using them from now on!

 

I don't go by age with projectors, as some of our oldest models are the best performing ones in the school. Its the younger ones that seem to be the worst!

Edited June 8, 2010 by localzuk

[dhicks]

We have 21 classroom projectors in dire need of replacement.

 

You'll simply have to replace as many as you can afford, prioratising by need / likelyhood of failure. One option might be to sell the old projectors on eBay - they might not do for front-of-class any more, but you might be able to get £50 - £100 each for them for someone's home cinema. Be very sure to explain they are somewhat secondhand and will have a limited lifespan, obviously.

 

--

David Hicks

[witch]

My method of doing it is to replace the ones which are not functional (ie. ones with terrible image quality etc...). I also replace any that get through more than 1 bulb in a year, and work back from there. Make sure you take a look at the Casio projectors, due to their longer life, lower maintenance cost etc... We will be using them from now on!

 

I don't go by age with projectors, as some of our oldest models are the best performing ones in the school. Its the younger ones that seem to be the worst!

I agree with this and also I try to get the new projectors spread out across the school so that one year group doesn't feel left out. As was said, if you replace working ones (after the non-working or worst ones) at least you will have them as spares to use when bulbs go - until you can afford to replace them all.

We have NECs in the primary- I went for these because in my other school they have never gone wrong or the bulbs blown, even though some have filters I can't get to and have therefore never been cleaned!

If you prepare a document showing the likely cost of new projectors versus the old ones with bulbs etc, the SLT may see that there is a problem. Anyway, the cost of a new bulb is probably not that far off the cost of a new projector!

[Little-Miss]

Right, so i basically need to go around and do an audit and find the really appaling ones and work from there. cool...

[p858snake]

Work out how many you need, then get some quotes (see if they do discounts for bulk purchases over a certain number), work out how many you can afford then go to the PTA explain that you can afford to replace X but really should be replacing all (Y) of the projects... (explain benefits to kids etc etc)

[sippo]

Don't forget about the mounts. Are they universal? Will they need replacing aswell?

[plexer]

Don't forget not just wether the mounts will fit the new projectors but wether they are in the correct place due to the throw of the replacement projectors, you may need an av firm to move them etc...

 

Ben

[Little-Miss]

Eugh, our projectors were fitted so badly last time they're at all sort of angles...so all of the above has been taken into account

[localzuk]

Eugh, our projectors were fitted so badly last time they're at all sort of angles...so all of the above has been taken into account

 

Another reason I like the Casio models - so long as you can get a bracket to stick em on the end of the existing pole, they have a huge throw range so can use existing poles most of the time. Saved us about £200 in one of our rooms.

[browolf]

buy an air compressor and go blow the dust out of them all. That will surely prolong their lives. Especially now that its summer and are more liable to suffer from overheating!

[witch]

Generally speaking, in your situation (which I am), I would get a company in to fit them. You cannot really do it on your own and the issues with moving and/or changing brackets is probably a bit much when you are the lone techie.

Do you have any good local contacts? A company who will come in and survey your current set-up and advise you about projectors, brackets etc? You need a ball-park figure (yes, I know - Yuck) to be able to show SMT

[BatchFile]

I've been putting a few of these in recently: Optoma DS316 SVGA - 2500 Ansi Lumens (DS316) - dabs.com they're cheap as chips (£239) and so bright they leave scorch marks on the whiteboards - well not really but 2500 Lumens. They're also small and light and we've yet to find a projector bracket that couldn't be bodged to adequately take them. At that price I'm less concerned about lamp life and the fact that they're only natively SVGA - after the knackered, dim HP projectors they're replacing they look pin sharp in comparison!

[Little-Miss]

The company i've had in recently to do my Hall AV setups were fantastic so i'm working with them at the moment. I do already have a ball park figure. Just trying to work out where i can get the funds from.

[broc]

If you need new mounts or need to move them, consider short throw projectors as replacements; these fit much closer to the board and are less likely to shine in staff & student eyes when in use.

 

Also remember that the projector lenses are often offset left/right from the mount centre line and different brands can mean you have to move the mount even if the throw is the same.