How to check the current lamp hours for your NEC LT220, LT240, or LT260 projector and how to reset the projectors’ lamp hours. As a preventative measure, NEC designed a secret reset if you have surpassed the 1600-hour mark, so you don’t have to think twice about using your lamp too long.
Each of these NEC models will display a message that will tell you to replace your lamp once you have reached the 1500-hour mark (regardless of how well your lamp might appear to be working). You can’t check how much lamp life is left, and the replacement lamp doesn’t use a timer chip, however, you can reset the lamp hours every time you install a new lamp. This will let you know how many hours you have used the lamp and what the projector uses to determine when to switch out the lamp.
NEC has pre-determined that the hard cut-off point is 1600 hours. Once the projector counts 1600 hours (normal mode) on the lamp hour counter, it will auto shut off and it will not turn on until you reset the lamp timer. NEC wants you to replace the lamp at this stage to avoid the bulb from exploding. Most people will take out their existing lamp and keep it as a backup and test lamp only. At this time, you should buy a new lamp, install it, and then reset the lamp hour counter. The part number of the replacement lamp for the LT220, LT240, and LT260 is the NEC LT60LP or also known as Internal SKU#: MPLL08843.
How to check the lamp hours and remaining lamp time %
In the [Menu], scroll down and click the [Information] button. Then scroll down to [Page 3] and you will see the [Remaining Lamp Time%]. This will tell you how much lamp life is left, which is a percentage based on how many hours the lamp has been used. The [Lamp Hour Meter] is clearer.
When these series of projectors reach 0% for the remaining lamp time %, the indicator will switch to 100 Hours and count down. If you hit 0 hours in this countdown then the projector will no longer turn on, which means it’s time to replace your lamp. If the lamp was working well up until the point of shutdown, then you should keep that lamp and use it for testing or as a backup.
Once you have installed the new lamp, make sure the lamp access panel door is closed. The projector will not turn on unless the access panel door is closed.
How to reset the lamp hours
If you removed your old lamp prior to the 1600-hour mark on the lamp hour meter, then you can reset the lamp hour meter:
1. Turn on the projector.
2. Press the [Menu] button, in the menu window you will select [Projector Options], and then [Setup]. Scroll down to [Page 4] of the Setup and click [Clear Lamp Hour Meter].
3. A confirmation dialogue box will open, and you must now press [OK] to confirm.
*If you let the projector run past the 1600-hour mark, then your projector (NEC LT220, LT240, and LT260) will not turn on until you have performed the secret reset. You will need the original remote control to do this. On the remote, press and hold the [Help] button for 10 seconds (or longer) and the lamp clock will reset to zero. You will now be able to turn on the projector.