Cheaper way to get an ADF scanner's insides cleaned?

B

Brad Templeton

I purchased a Fujitsu 5750c scanner off lease, but unfortunately the ADF
colour scans have stripes in them, which is going to be a sign of
internal dirt, or if I'm unlucky, bad pixels. Fujitsu itself will
clean it, but at a cost of about $500(!). That makes sense if you buy
one of these new for $4,000 but not if you get a used one off-lease for
$1800 on eBay. Nor does their $1000 service contract make sense.

So, anybody have advice on how to find a technician who has experience
in opening one of these up to clean it, or on how to clean it myself if
need be?

These are _heavy_ suckers, about 85lbs, so they are not easy to ship.
I thought since Fujitsu is just 2 miles from me in silicon valley that
might make it easier, but it does not.
 
B

Bob AZ

So, anybody have advice on how to find a technician who has experience
in opening one of these up to clean it, or on how to clean it myself if
need be?
This technician could do this. And the cost would be about the same.
The advantage of having Fulitsu do this is they have the necessary
documentation, experience, tools, equipment etc to do it. And probably
with a warranty. And then you would have your scanner for $2300.00
instead of $1800.00.

Just a guess but your problem is probably some particles of dirt, or
the equivalent, in the optical path between the light source and the
scanner sensor. Perhaps trapped by a narrow strip of glass thatseves
as a lens in the optical path. Open a few covers and have a look.

Do you have the service manual?

Bob AZ
 
B

BiggerDadda

Streaks are most often caused simply by dust that gets on the mirrors
and CCD cover glass. There are two identical optical assemblies. The
upper is the easier of the two to get at: With a #2 Phillips, remove
the two screws securing the top cover. Then with both hands, pull the
opposite side out and up over the catches. Unplug the three connectors
to the optical assembly. Remove the screw holding the ground wire.
Remove the screw holding the pivot retainer. Lift out the optical
assembly. Remove the clip on one side of each mirror by slipping a 2mm
slotted screwdriver down the side to unhook the back. Blow the heck
out of everything with dry air, nitrogen, or CO2. Clean all first
surfaces of mirrors with Windex and Kimwipes or very clean cotton.
Reassemble. Don't be surprised if your upper image look great compared
to the lower.

Dismantling the lower takes more doing but the key ideas are: Only one
screw on each hinge goes all the way through to the chassis. Either
unplug or unfasten the cables to the top; some will remain attached.
Lay the top over on its back. Service the lower optical assembly
exactly as the upper. Tip: With a fine-tip Sharpie, mark the screws
needed to be removed, and note the type which will correspond to the
material being fastened. One of the screw types has two lengths.

Find a page that shows up the streaking particularly badly, and use
this as your standard test. Test regularly and clean as needed.
 
C

catfish

http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/computing/peripherals/scanners/service/
http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/computing/peripherals/scanners/warranty/index.html

we have purchased the extended warranty for several older fi-4250
series, then sent in an older one with "problems" like you describe
for a factory rebuilt replacement. think it cost $US 150 or so for the
"out of warranty extended warranty" purchase the last time we did the
exchamge. The good folks who answered the toll-free line were very
helpful in steering me into the cheapest solution to get a fully
functional scanner back in service. 1-800-626-4686
 
B

BiggerDadda

Service for the high-speed scanners can easily cost more than the
purchase price of a consumer scanner like the fi-4250. The exchange
price for a 5750 will be easily 10 times the $150 for the 4250.
 
B

BiggerDadda

Service for the high-speed scanners can easily cost more than the
purchase price of a consumer scanner like the fi-4250. The exchange
price for a 5750 will be easily 10 times the $150 for the 4250.
 
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