CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

huggy · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 1:42 am Post subject: When to replace tubes?

Hi all,while I'm waiting on curt to fix my boards,I've been contemplating sourcing tubes, if they pop up at a reasonable price that is,however I'm wondering if I should even bother?with the price of new tubes atm and the hassle and expense of removing and refitting all lc housings magnetics etc,and with the price of 9" units getting cheaper as times goes buy,by the time I'm really ready to replace my tubes,it may be cheaper and less hassle to just buy a whole unit with good tubes!

I've attached pics of my tubes and the only one that will need replacing soon is really the green.So do you think I should just source a green for now or just wait for it to become unusable,which brings up another question.

How many hours do you guys think are left on the green?I use the pj about 10 hours a week btw.

What I guess I'm trying to say is do I stock up on tube/tubes now, or just get them as I need them?
BTW the pj is runco1101 (1209s)p19lugs.

Tim in Phoenix · Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 4409 Location: Phoenix

Hello

Are you happy with the picture quality? Pics of tube faces are not telling of light output or focus or small burns.

.

Zebu Fellenz · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 2567

Tubes will last as long as you're happy with the picture. Is there any uneven wear or other problems that show up on the screen that bother you? If not I would keep using it.

huggy · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:19 am Post subject:

The wear doesnt bother me at all,the pic is the best pic I've ever had and I am absolutely stoked with the pic quality,I run the brightness at 45 and contrast at 55-60 and its plenty bright on my 120" diagonal 16/9 1 gain screen.
This thing is sharp as a tack and thats with my half assed setup.I have a pro coming to setup/calibrate when the time is right.
I am not thinking of replacing any time soon,I just want an indication of generally how long will the pic remain watchable without having to replace green,I'm fussy but not anal at the same time,in other words,I'm an 80-20 rule kind of guy.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:

That was the SMPS and convergence boards? All fixed! Email to follow!

Zebu Fellenz · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 2567

The green looks like it would fall between a 7 and 8 on Curt's rating chart IMO

So it should last between 6-9k hours, or between 10-20 years for the amount you're using it.

Brooklyn · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 494 Location: Morgan Hill, CA

The green is not that bad at all. Given the price of replacing tubes it is probably not worth it, especially if the tube you have still has plenty of life left.

That being said, if a green does pop up, I would consider getting it to hang on to, for when you do need to replace the green.

huggy · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:44 am Post subject:

THANKS GUYS,I'll take the advice and not bother buying a green now,but will get one if the price is right.
Thanks curt for the quick turnaround!

r.bauer · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 280 Location: The Netherlands

Can you increase the image 'size on the tubes? The image size seems a bit small.
I would increase the image size right now, if you wait longer it is no longer an option because the difference in wear will show more easily after mor use.

huggy · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

Yes,I do have the image size larger and perfectly central,(unlike the previous owner)I can see the wear patter on an all white screen but it's not an issue when watching movies.

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado