Epson C80 blocked nozzles

[David G]

I have an Epson C80 which has been working well over the last few years
even though used intermittently. We use it for producing brochures of
our furniture, so it is used on an as and when basis.

It started by printing poor yellow (blocked jets). The cartridge was
running low but not completely empty, but was replaced anyway. I could
not get the jets to clear with repeated cleaning, and with that the
other carts started running out and they also did not clear completely
when replaced. In the end it was so bad I tried using the dilute ammonia
solution to try and clear them, both from above and below.

All that did not work so thought there was nothing to lose in stripping
it down. I took the printhead off (maybe a big mistake) and placed in a
small puddle of some ammonia solution overnight. When placing it on some
kitchen towel in the morning all the colours did bleed through.
Re-assembled the printer, and still after many cleaning cycles not one
drop came through.

So I assume that this printer is now totally stuffed?? Or is there a way
around?

I have had a number of Epson Inkjets over time and the later they are
the more prone they seem to be to blocking (I know the sizes have been
decreasing). Assuming that the C80 is a non runner, I have been thinking
of changing over to another make. One that seems to be touted a lot is
the Canon Pixma iP5200. I think this also has a seperate printhead to
the tanks. Has anyone any experience of this in particular regard to
blocking on intermittent use, and general performance on colour etc.

Thanks

--
Regards


David G
(remove r u n)

 

[Davy]

First thing to do is drop Art (Aurther Entlich) an E-mail request hi
free cleaning instructions, stae model and problem-

e-printerhelp(@)mvps(.)or

Remove the brackets leaving no spaces. A common problem is the wast
pipe coming adrift from under the docking area, simply spy the clea
plastic tube, either switch on or do a cleaning cycle you should se
the ink gurgling through the tube if it's ok, if you don't it ma
have come off the nozzle of the docking bay

Get a pencil and gently lift the end, if there is the slightest o
resistance then it can be assumed that it is attached, if it flop
about then it has come away

What happens when this happens is you do not get any cleaning cycles
as the pump is drawing air and not ink. The ink dries up on the head
and sometimes the docking bay becomes blocked as well.

See Art as suggested, you'll find his keyboard tapping's up and dow
these pages, he doesn't spam, he doesn't charge and he's helped man
a one to revamp a duff printer

I have an Canon ip5000 they'er a great printer, had mine since las
June/July and not one single manual head clean to date, the ip5200 i
the newer model

Dav

 

[measekite]

First thing to do is drop Art (Aurther Entlich) an E-mail request his
free cleaning instructions, stae model and problem-:

e-printerhelp(@)mvps(.)org

Remove the brackets leaving no spaces.

LIKE THIS

(e-mail address removed)

AND USE LOWERCASE

 

[David G]

A common problem is the waste
pipe coming adrift from under the docking area, simply spy the clear
plastic tube, either switch on or do a cleaning cycle you should see
the ink gurgling through the tube if it's ok, if you don't it may
have come off the nozzle of the docking bay.


I have an Canon ip5000 they'er a great printer, had mine since last
June/July and not one single manual head clean to date, the ip5200 is
the newer model.

Davy

Thanks Davy

That pipe is well connected. I have also taken of the docking station
together with the pipe and run warm water through it to make sure it is
clear.

I will drop Art a note to see if there is anything else to do but fear
it is joining the Dodos.

Thanks for the heads up on the Canon. Will probably head for that if all
else fails. Think I have had enough of Epson blockages.

--
Regards


David G
(remove r u n)

 

[measekite]

Thanks Davy

That pipe is well connected. I have also taken of the docking station
together with the pipe and run warm water through it to make sure it
is clear.

I will drop Art a note to see if there is anything else to do but fear
it is joining the Dodos.

Thanks for the heads up on the Canon.

AS RECOMMENDED HE USES CANON OEM INK EXCLUSIVELY. THAT IS ONE OF THE
REASONS FOR SUCH GOOD LUCK.

 

[Davy]

quote="David G

That pipe is well connected.

Mention that point to him, he'll get back to you

Dav

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I've already replied to you in private mail rom your direct mail to me,
but for others reading this... the Durabrite inkjet printers from Epson
are a poor candidate for intermittent use. The inks are fast drying and
tend to clog more easily if they aren't attended to.

Canon printers are not the bets choice either for intermittent use,
because the heads are semi-permanent. I suggest you consider a HP with
an integrated head in the cartridge. It will cost you more per print,
in all likelihood, but the savings in ink waste and time from clogs will
pay for it. HP's inks will likely not be pigment and waterproof, however.

Art

 

[David G]

I've already replied to you in private mail rom your direct mail to me,
but for others reading this... the Durabrite inkjet printers from Epson
are a poor candidate for intermittent use. The inks are fast drying and
tend to clog more easily if they aren't attended to.

Canon printers are not the bets choice either for intermittent use,
because the heads are semi-permanent. I suggest you consider a HP with
an integrated head in the cartridge. It will cost you more per print,
in all likelihood, but the savings in ink waste and time from clogs will
pay for it. HP's inks will likely not be pigment and waterproof, however.

Art

Thanks Art

Not received your email yet - maybe delayed somewhere on route.

Re another printer, I assume you are talking about something like the HP
Deskjet 5940? Has anyone any comments to make on this one re quality and
running costs/reliability?

 

[Tony]

Art and David
HP claim that the inks used in the K550 have high permanence, I have no
information to support or refute that but it's worth some investigation.
This is not however a cheap printer.
Tony

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

Art and David
HP claim that the inks used in the K550 have high permanence, I have no
information to support or refute that but it's worth some investigation.
This is not however a cheap printer.
Tony

From what I've seen on the fine print on their brochures they are
'water resistant (when used in combination with Vivera inks and HP
Advance paper).'

HP Advance is only 20 lb bond paper - far too thin for double sided
printing for things such as newsletters. HP's thicker papers make no
claim towards water resistance.

The K550 is $200 but takes 59 and 18 ml ink tanks at about $35 per
tank. That's about $0.59 per ml. Almost all of the HP printers out
there under $100 (for stand alones) or $300 (all in ones) take those
microscopic 51/52 and 91/92 tanks that are 5ml per tank, $20 per
cartridge. That's $4 per ml. (and keep in mind that the color is
split, for 1.66ml per color). You'll be buying tanks twice a day with
these new ones. It's cheaper to buy the K550, a standalone scanner and
ribbon or cartridge fax machine than to get an all-in-one.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

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

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Yes, HP is using a series of inks called "Vivera". They are dye inks
which have much of their permanence based upon the use of swellable
polymer papers made for/by HP for those inks, which lock the inks into
the polymer chains. It works, but these polymer papers are not
waterproof, and some can be vulnerable to dampness, fingerprints and
abrasion.

Pigment inks are usually least dependent upon the paper type to maintain
their archival nature, and most are waterproof even on bond paper.


Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

HP does claim their new printers using those very small ink cartridges
get good output yields, in part due to the way they recirculate the ink
rather than purging it to remove air bubbles.

I would like to see some independent studies on the output numbers for
the small Vivera cartridges,

Art