Epson 880 -- stored too long?

[John Slimick]

In cleaning out a lab nearby, I found
an Epson 880 that I had loaned to that
lab. Before I sent it to that lab, I
wrapped the printer in a plastic bag
and sealed it as well as I could.
It was never opened or used in that lab.
But I don't know how long it has been
stored, but about three yeras (?) seems
appropriate.

So, should I toss, or is it worth
trying to revive?

Thanks in advance

john slimick
(e-mail address removed)

 

[tomcas]

In cleaning out a lab nearby, I found
an Epson 880 that I had loaned to that
lab. Before I sent it to that lab, I
wrapped the printer in a plastic bag
and sealed it as well as I could.
It was never opened or used in that lab.
But I don't know how long it has been
stored, but about three yeras (?) seems
appropriate.

So, should I toss, or is it worth
trying to revive?

Thanks in advance

john slimick
(e-mail address removed)

It's worth a try to see if it works before you toss it. The 880 is a
good printer and the generic ink refills are dirt cheap.

 

[Jan Alter]

I've been using Epsons inkjets since '92 and having run more than a dozen
Epson 880 's among other recent models I have found it to be the best
general use inkjet printer Epson ever made. It was built very well, produced
good quality photos, runs quiet, and extremely cheap when it comes to using
third party ink.
By the way you say the printer was stored I would say it's a pretty good
bet to invest in a set of new cartridges and give it a shot to get it
running again.
The first thing to prepare to get it to print is to get the cartridges.
Plug the printer to the wall and lift the printer cover. Push the power
button and once the green light becomes steady push the paper infeed button
for about 5 seconds. The printhead will move to the left. With an eye
dropper dribble about 10 drops of Windex or a concoction of isopropyl
alcohol/ammonia (90/10%) solution onto the docking sponge on the printer
bed that is revealed once the head is moved.
Next remove the old cartridges and dribble 3-6 drops of Windex or the
isopropyl/ammonia recipe onto the two ink spikes that are revealed once the
cartridges are removed. Do not pressure feed the ink. You could rupture the
head membrane. Just dribble the solution. Put in the two new
cartridges,removing the tape on each, close the retaining clamps and push
the paper infeed button again for about 5 seconds. The head will move back
to docking position. Turn the printer off and let it sit for about an hour.
After an hour come back and install the printer software onto your
computer. Connect the printer via USB or parallel cable and turn it on when
the software advises you to for completing the installation. By the way, the
drivers are available from Epson for download. You will find the nozzle
check and cleaning utilities to first run a nozzle check pattern and then a
cleaning cycle by going to the Control Panel, opening Printers and right
clicking on the icon of the 880. Click Properties at the bottom of the drop
down menu. Use the software to do this rather than pushing the printer
buttons, because the software provides a rigorous cleaning with every
sequence of 3 cleanings. It is not available if you simply push the ink
button on the printer.
If you have no ink coming through then I would advise you to send for
Arthur Entlich's cleaning manual. He has done extensive work with Epsons and
knows just about every method there is to getting a clogged Epson going
again.

Here's his address.

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

 

[Arthur Entlich]

The Epson 880 was the last Epson printer made that didn't use the
chipped cartridges. That makes it a worthwhile model to save. Also, it
uses dye ink which are easier to dissolve and unclog, and it is pretty
easy to make cleaning cartridges up.

It may take some time to get the ink dissolved and the head clear, but
it is worth it. Just don't force things by using pressured liquids
through the heads, that will almost definitely ruin the head.

For details, email me and request the Epson Cleaning Manual mention the
880 printer.

Art


e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @

(dot) = .

 

[simon.child]

I don't know how long it has been
stored, but about three yeras (?) seems
appropriate.

So, should I toss, or is it worth
trying to revive?

By coincidence, just last evening I took my old 880 out of storage,
where it has been for about three years. It wasn't sealed in plastic
and was very dusty.

Anyway, one cycle of head cleaning, and a few test prints, and it is
working fine

What I am looking for now is a color profile file to try to get the
best photo prints out of it. Anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks

Simon

 

[Jan Alter]

By coincidence, just last evening I took my old 880 out of storage,
where it has been for about three years. It wasn't sealed in plastic
and was very dusty.

Anyway, one cycle of head cleaning, and a few test prints, and it is
working fine

What I am looking for now is a color profile file to try to get the
best photo prints out of it. Anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks

Simon

Maybe awards should be presented to the longest sitting Epson that prints
from the start.

Now that you've got it working it would be worthwhile changing the
cartridges for new ones. Over time the ink thickens due to oxidation and
could more easily cause a clog in the future.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

The Epson profiles are pretty good with this printer (at least those
provided with their PC drivers) unless you are using some unusual paper
types.

Nice when it just fires up after sitting all that time, eh?

Art

 

[RCC]

I still use my 880 regularly. It has outlived 2 lasers, and now I get
3rd party inks at a good price and use it as my sole printer. One day
it will die, then what I wonder?

I have tried all sorts of colour matching methods for photos and ended
up using an iterative non-theoretical technique of setting up a custom
profile for each of the papers I use. The common factor is + some on
yellow and brightness, and - some on magenta.

I don't think 'accurate' results are in reach of the amateur but as long
as the photos from your camera, edited on your monitor and printed using
your settings (with whatever inks & paper you buy), are pleasing to you,
then why worry?

If you want to try the iterative approach but not use your own photos,
there are some good test charts here:

<http://www.ocp.de/content.php?session=a81e1f1877ee44d3c55e195b9a8617a5&s
eite=seiten/ocp_support_testcharts_en.php>

Some paper manufacturers have profiles and settings on their websites (I
think Kodak do)but maybe the 880 is too old to feature.


Off topic a bit - a good trick which the 880 supports is to set paper
size to custom 210 * 420 mm, slice a sheet of A3 paper to 210 wide, then
you can print long thin photos (or wide short ones) which make a change
from A4 format. Looks good with some landscapes particularly. You have
to crop the image to the right sort of size in whatever photo editor you
use. As we get accustomed to seeing things on 16:9 widescreen
televisions, the old 4:3 format looks a bit old fashioned and lots of
the old composition rules are less relevant. With this technique you
can easily get decent sized prints in "widescreen". Other printers
support custom paper sizes to some extent, but not all will go all the
way to 420 long.

(I can't really justify buying an A3 printer!)