Need help on projector Switching off after 2 minutes

[stereoharold]

Hi!

I was wondering.. I have this old Zenith projector (model pv855p) that i got at home, and everything used to work fine with it. Recently, whenever i turned it on, it would shut off after 2 minutes of operation(as soon as it heats up a bit).

I know electronics a bit, but not enought to figure it out. The image is fine, then poof - everything turns off. I checked the wires, and looked inside for burnt parts, but everything seems fine.

I'm pretty sure it's just this one little capacitor that fails after a little heat..- it's so frustrating to have it there and not being able to use it !!!
If anybody knows what i should do with it, please help me!

Thanks a lot - Harold

[George Bellefontaine]

Harold, what kind of projector is it ? Crt, Lcd, Dlp ? If it's one of the latter two, then the PJ uses a lamp and there is probably an air filter involved. When the air filter gets dirty the PJ will overheat, and may even damage the lcd or dmd panels. Newer PJs have warning messages or blinking colored lights to tell you what the problem is. Shutting down automatically is usually the Pj's way of protecting itself. Try cleaning the air filter, or maybe even replacing it if it is badly clogged with dirt and dust. Any projector with air filters need to be vacuumed at least once a month.

Hope this helps.

[stereoharold]

Cleaning up the filters

Thanks for the reply.. However, the projector i have does not seem to have any fan, or air filter.. (at least not that i know of..) I attached some pictures.. maybe that can help..


It seems it shuts down because voltage seems to low.. that's my theory anyways.. but if anybody has any idea..

Thanks again

[JonMarsh]

I used to have one of these. Actually, it was the Heathkit version, so actually, I should say I built one of these! In the same year that one was manufactured in Mexico.

Built two if you count the work I had to do to get ThomasW's running...

There is a cap which tends to go out in the power supply; I had that problem about a year into owning it. I believe it was one of the main electrolytic caps. Unfortunately, getting Zenith repair or calibration info isn't very easy; in the old days Zenith had an extensive dealer and repair network, and they were pretty good about getting stuff fixed. You might try the Zenith web site to find a local dealer, and see if you can get service or a manual.

Mine is happily running at a friend of ThomasW's somewhere outside Denver...

~Jon