After I got my parts together I set every thing up on a table
so I can adjust the distances between the different parts
to find the best projected image.
I noticed that the light was very hot and was thinking that
may be a problem, as you can see in this picture the light
beam can burn a hole in cardboard it is very hot at the focal
point of the light.
The focused light needs to be spread out onto the LCD panel
so I put a aspheric condenser lens at the focal point. Be
sure to use a glass lens and the lens mount has to be metal
they get very hot and plastic would last only a few minutes.
Now you can see how the light shines right on to the lens
in real life you cant look directly at the light is is very
bright it can make my whole living room look like its daylight.
The projected image here was very good, now its time to make
an enclosure.
I started by making the bottom and building a holder for
the light and the LCD panel. I didn't screw the LCD holder
down yet so when I get my lens mounted I can do some final
adjustments.
Sides are on.
Now it starting to look like a box.
I add a 120 mm computer fan to keep the light running cool
I also added a power jack and a switch to turn it all on.
The projection lens is mounted on a piece of wood and can
be adjusted to focus the picture by moving it forward and
backward.
I have the top off so I can make final adjustments to the
LCD.
After I mount the LCD I cut out the sides so I can get to
the video inputs.
It is 4 foot long 15 inches high and 15 inches wide yep its
big but WOW the picture looks nice.
Yes very sharp!
Later on I added a vent to the top to let the hot air out
it stays very cool inside with that fan running.
If you use a real hot light there is another way to keep
from melting your fresnal and LCD, here I held up a piece
of Low-E glass it is 2 pieces of glass that has argon gas
filled between them and it keeps the heat from passing through
I will probably use this once I upgrade to a 1000W lamp.
I got the 1000W lamp and ballast installed and it is at least
3 times brighter than it was the heat is also 3 times more
but the fan keeps it running cool the glass is still not needed
to keep the fresnal lens and lcd cool.
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