Why do Refillers say so few refills for HP carts?

[TJ]

The last time I looked, all the refill suppliers said that you can get
about 6 refills in an HP cart before the print head wears out. Yet I
have successfully refilled HP 56 and 57 carts up to 25 times before I
saw the print quality degrade. Also, Canons, Epsons, and others with
"permanent" print heads can have scores of cartridges (OEM or
aftermarket, whatever) used before they wear out.

So what's the deal? (measekite, you need not bother to reply. I already
know your opinion.)

TJ

 

[Gary Tait]

The last time I looked, all the refill suppliers said that you can get
about 6 refills in an HP cart before the print head wears out. Yet I
have successfully refilled HP 56 and 57 carts up to 25 times before I
saw the print quality degrade. Also, Canons, Epsons, and others with
"permanent" print heads can have scores of cartridges (OEM or
aftermarket, whatever) used before they wear out.

So what's the deal? (measekite, you need not bother to reply. I already
know your opinion.)

TJ

They are just covering their backsides making a very conservative claim.

I don't know the details, but the fixed-head thermal printers probably
have more robust heaters and ink galleries than those heads on a cart.
Epson uses piezo nozzles, so does not have burnout problems.

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

The last time I looked, all the refill suppliers said that you can get
about 6 refills in an HP cart before the print head wears out. Yet I
have successfully refilled HP 56 and 57 carts up to 25 times before I
saw the print quality degrade. Also, Canons, Epsons, and others with
"permanent" print heads can have scores of cartridges (OEM or
aftermarket, whatever) used before they wear out.

The printhead is more likely to burn out if the ink runs dry. Since
the average consumer will run the printer until the cartridge stops
printing, the cartridge will not be reusable for very long.

If you're getting 25 refills I suspect that you're refilling long
before the printhead runs dry, therefore extending the life of it. But
I suspect you have a bit of luck going there too, I wouldn't expect
more than 10 out of a HP, because those built in printheads just
aren't designed for extended use.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[SteveB]

I reckon on about 10 -15 refills for the #57 and it would seem almost
forever with the #58. I refill when the indicator shows 1/4 full. Burn
outs/blockages aren't the problem, all the jets still work, it's just that
the colour accuracy starts to get gradually worse after these numbers, I
guess that the jets wear gradually or the foam characteristics change or
something. I change cartridges once I see that the calibration printout
doesn't produce cast-free grey boxes.

The text #56 cartridge lasts many refills but I've changed one after 2 yrs
or so when text started to get misaligned/weak/spidery on the left 2
characters of the page only for some wierd reason I can't fathom. A new
cartridge fixed it anyway, I got a cheap Tesco one and have refilled it
several times since.

 

[DJT]

The printhead is more likely to burn out if the ink runs dry. Since
the average consumer will run the printer until the cartridge stops
printing, the cartridge will not be reusable for very long.

If you're getting 25 refills I suspect that you're refilling long
before the printhead runs dry, therefore extending the life of it. But
I suspect you have a bit of luck going there too, I wouldn't expect
more than 10 out of a HP, because those built in printheads just
aren't designed for extended use.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

Good to see that I am not the only one refilling HP 56 & 57 cartridges
numerous times.
Yes the trick is to not let the cartridge get near empty. I have put
ink in a cartridge 30-35 times, and eventually I scrapped the
cartridge when the printing started to get thicker lines.
I also had one fail eclectrically( would not recognise cartridge)
after on 5 refills.

DJT