Epson C84 - ink overflow pads

[Denis Scadeng]

I have an Epson C84 which occasionally gets its sequence in a twist but
in general is a good printer and cheap if you use reliable chipped
compatible cartridges - which I have always used with no trouble
whatsoever.

Now though I am getting the dreaded "Service required" box which, I
understand, means that the ink overflow pad needs replacing though at
the moment it is working fine with no ink streaks. The SSC Service
Utility shows that the prevention counter scores about 26000 out of a
limit of 47000 so it should be OK even though Epson says I should pay a
lot of money to get it fixed.

I want to remove the pad and tank to clean it. I would appreciate some
advice as to how to remove it and any other constructive comments.

Thanks

Denis

 

[Martin]

I have an Epson C84 which occasionally gets its sequence in a twist but
in general is a good printer and cheap if you use reliable chipped
compatible cartridges - which I have always used with no trouble
whatsoever.

Now though I am getting the dreaded "Service required" box which, I
understand, means that the ink overflow pad needs replacing though at
the moment it is working fine with no ink streaks. The SSC Service
Utility shows that the prevention counter scores about 26000 out of a
limit of 47000 so it should be OK even though Epson says I should pay a
lot of money to get it fixed.

I want to remove the pad and tank to clean it. I would appreciate some
advice as to how to remove it and any other constructive comments.

Thanks

Denis

Having tried to open up a C84, R200, etc... myself I came to the
conclusion that the best approach was to do what a lot of people have
done with the R200/300 models and modify the printer to redirect all
waste ink to an external tank.

So, I worked out how to do it and posted up a guide here:
http://www.allthefaqs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3769

All told it has to be the easiest approach. As to resetting the actual
count, I've been told that the SSC utility will work if you have NOT
received the service required message (ie: periodic resets to avoid it
happening) but once you get it you need the actual service utility that
Epson themselve use to reset the counter.

If you can register on the forum I linked to I might be able to help out
there.

Hope that lot helps anyways.

 

[Shooter]

Hi, You will most likely destroy the case of your printer to get at the
waste pads. best bet is fit a waste bottle and reset the printer.

 

[milou]

Irritating and clueless top post re-sited

Hi, You will most likely destroy the case of your printer to get at the
waste pads. best bet is fit a waste bottle and reset the printer.

You'll destroy it if you get at it cluelessly with a plumber's wrench.
The procedure to open and get at the pad is very simple, well
documented on several sites.
The full manual is also available for download here
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/18648/Epson_Stylus Color C63.html

Took me less than 10 minutes to open mine the first time and nothing
was broken / cracked / destroyed in th eprocess.

 

[Shooter]

You really are a ****wit, yes you can remove the case and the chances are
you will break some lugs, then if successful half a mile down the road you
have to do it again, as someone else posted a waste bottle is the answer.
Last, the file you talk of will not help in giving you the Epson AP program
which is best used if you are to reset.. However, if you find my post so
irritating and clueless perhaps you should not read my replies in future.

If you go to ****wit.com you will see you are in for the Golden Tit award.

 

[milou]

Very irritating clueless top post again re-sited

You really are a xxxxx

Just because you broke your printer, there is no need to be abusive
when someone explains how to open it properly.

Now go wash your mouth with soap.
Are you related to the measekite troll?

followup to alt.idiots.

 

[measekite]

:-D :-D :-D
FUNNY

You really are a ****wit, yes you can remove the case and the chances are
you will break some lugs, then if successful half a mile down the road you
have to do it again, as someone else posted a waste bottle is the answer.
Last, the file you talk of will not help in giving you the Epson AP program
which is best used if you are to reset.. However, if you find my post so
irritating and clueless perhaps you should not read my replies in future.

If you go to ****wit.com you will see you are in for the Golden Tit award.

 

[measekite]

TOP POSTING IS TERRIFIC. IF YOU FOLLOW THE THREAD YOU DO NOT HAVE TO
SCROLL. IF NOT YOU CAN READ THE ENTIRE THING BOTTOMS UP OR START
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

 

[Shooter]

Thanks for your posting, I have not broken my printer, I repair them for
others who have broken them and try to help others on-line. Like I have
said please do not read or make such comments about my replies to others,
you irritating moron. You are in for ****wit of the month, please go to the
site and see what your reward is. Next time you re-direct make sure it works
on all replies.

 

[measekite]

A NEW BATTLE OF DA STARS OF DA AFTERMARKET WORLD

Thanks for your posting, I have not broken my printer, I repair them for
others who have broken them and try to help others on-line. Like I have
said please do not read or make such comments about my replies to others,
you irritating moron. You are in for ****wit of the month, please go to the
site and see what your reward is. Next time you re-direct make sure it works
on all replies.

 

[Martin]

Irritating and clueless top post re-sited

You'll destroy it if you get at it cluelessly with a plumber's wrench.
The procedure to open and get at the pad is very simple, well
documented on several sites.
The full manual is also available for download here
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/18648/Epson_Stylus Color C63.html

Took me less than 10 minutes to open mine the first time and nothing
was broken / cracked / destroyed in th eprocess.

Perhaps a rethinking on the way you label people who don't agree with
your posting preference would be appropriate. I'd be p*ssed at you with
that little flippant tag you have there now.

Just to note, getting to the pad is not a 10 minute job in the slightest
and as many an experienced service engineer will atest, it involves
taking apart the printer to the point that you will probably require a
jig to re-callibrate and align the printer frame properly. If you don't
have this you will essentially kiss the printer goodbye.

This is why the 5 minute task of removing one end of the casing,
locating the waste ink tube and extending it to a waste recepticle (eg:
a bottle) is a smarter move.

1. You don't have to worry about washing, drying and replacing waste ink
pads

2. You can dispose of waste ink easily

3. You can use the printer for a whole lot longer without having to take
the darned thing apart.


So, in a nutshell, if you want to waste hours taking it apart,
potentially screwing it up and the putting it back together again, be my
guest.


But can I just note, there's really no need for people to start
insulting each other even if the newsreader setting was automated and
not intended for this market. It's just plain unnecessary.

Nuff said.

 

[milou]

Nuff said.

Keep your hair on... we won't start WW4 for a printer.

 

[Denis Scadeng]

Having tried to open up a C84, R200, etc... myself I came to the
conclusion that the best approach was to do what a lot of people have
done with the R200/300 models and modify the printer to redirect all
waste ink to an external tank.

Many thanks to those who offered constructive advice - the others have
probably been put back in their playpen by now.

You are right, it is not as simple as it seems. I didn't realise that
even if I got the side panel off it wouldn't give me access to the ink
pads. In any event I didn't take the panel off - I couldn't find the two
internal clips and wasn't prepared to use brute force.

My solution is this.
1.I reset the counter using the SSC utility. It asks if you have
replaced the pads so you lie and say "yes" and the counter goes back to
zero. The "Service" box is gone - I hope never to return. (I think you
have to switch off and it is gone when you switch on again).

2. I decided not to put an external waste tank on - a good idea but not
worth the effort for my purpose.

3. I will continue to use it.

4. If it leaks in the future or I get ink stains on the paper, I will
try to remove ink from the pad with a syringe. I assume the ink
evaporates anyway so with moderate usage I see no reason why it should
overfill - whatever Epson says.

5. If that does work, I will buy a new one. It costs £30 (GBP) for the
agents to replace the pads and a new D88 only costs £59 (GBP) so that
makes better economic sense. I hope it won't come to that but ...

Thanks again

Denis

 

[measekite]

GREAT NEWS FOR THE CARPET BUSINESS

Many thanks to those who offered constructive advice - the others have
probably been put back in their playpen by now.

You are right, it is not as simple as it seems. I didn't realise that
even if I got the side panel off it wouldn't give me access to the ink
pads. In any event I didn't take the panel off - I couldn't find the
two internal clips and wasn't prepared to use brute force.

My solution is this.
1.I reset the counter using the SSC utility. It asks if you have
replaced the pads so you lie and say "yes" and the counter goes back
to zero. The "Service" box is gone - I hope never to return. (I think
you have to switch off and it is gone when you switch on again).

2. I decided not to put an external waste tank on - a good idea but
not worth the effort for my purpose.

3. I will continue to use it.

4. If it leaks in the future or I get ink stains on the paper, I will
try to remove ink from the pad with a syringe. I assume the ink
evaporates anyway so with moderate usage I see no reason why it should
overfill - whatever Epson says.

5. If that does work, I will buy a new one. It costs £30 (GBP) for the
agents to replace the pads and a new D88 only costs £59 (GBP) so that
makes better economic sense. I hope it won't come to that but ...

Thanks again

Denis

 

[Shooter]

It's already started.

Keep your hair on... we won't start WW4 for a printer.

 

[Tony]

Many thanks to those who offered constructive advice - the others have
probably been put back in their playpen by now.

You are right, it is not as simple as it seems. I didn't realise that
even if I got the side panel off it wouldn't give me access to the ink
pads. In any event I didn't take the panel off - I couldn't find the two
internal clips and wasn't prepared to use brute force.

My solution is this.
1.I reset the counter using the SSC utility. It asks if you have
replaced the pads so you lie and say "yes" and the counter goes back to
zero. The "Service" box is gone - I hope never to return. (I think you
have to switch off and it is gone when you switch on again).

2. I decided not to put an external waste tank on - a good idea but not
worth the effort for my purpose.

3. I will continue to use it.

4. If it leaks in the future or I get ink stains on the paper, I will
try to remove ink from the pad with a syringe. I assume the ink
evaporates anyway so with moderate usage I see no reason why it should
overfill - whatever Epson says.

Just one point Denis. Generally Epson printers can have the waste counter reset
once without any ink spillage (no guarantees though), but almost never twice.
Also, the water content of the ink does evaporate over time but there is a
residue left behind which slowly prevents the absorbers from doing their job so
eventually ink will overflow. I think you are perfectly safe to reset this time
without trouble.
Tony

 

[Bob]

Just one point Denis. Generally Epson printers can have the waste counter reset
once without any ink spillage (no guarantees though), but almost never twice.
Also, the water content of the ink does evaporate over time but there is a
residue left behind which slowly prevents the absorbers from doing their job so
eventually ink will overflow. I think you are perfectly safe to reset this time
without trouble.
Tony

Any ballpark ideas how long you can go before hitting the first reset?
Is it linked to a certain number of head clean cycles ?

 

[Tony]

Any ballpark ideas how long you can go before hitting the first reset?
Is it linked to a certain number of head clean cycles ?

Sorry I don't actually know. There have been posts here from more knowledgeable
people about the exact process but my suspicion is that it is linked to the
number of ink shots, having said that the counter itself does not count shots
directly. Different epson printers have entirely different counter values when
the counter reaches the magic number.
Tony

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

1.I reset the counter using the SSC utility. It asks if you have
replaced the pads so you lie and say "yes" and the counter goes back to
zero. The "Service" box is gone - I hope never to return. (I think you
have to switch off and it is gone when you switch on again).

2. I decided not to put an external waste tank on - a good idea but not
worth the effort for my purpose.

3. I will continue to use it.

4. If it leaks in the future or I get ink stains on the paper, I will
try to remove ink from the pad with a syringe. I assume the ink
evaporates anyway so with moderate usage I see no reason why it should
overfill - whatever Epson says.

5. If that does work, I will buy a new one. It costs £30 (GBP) for the
agents to replace the pads and a new D88 only costs £59 (GBP) so that
makes better economic sense. I hope it won't come to that but ...

Thanks again

Denis

While one person has said that you can have one reset without worry,
I've seen people post on other message boards that their Epson
printers became a waterfall of ink when moved slightly, even before
the /first/ time the waste ink counter hits critical. I would
reccomend either doing that waste tank re-route or put the printer in
a plastic tray so that if it does leak, it doesn't take half the desk
with it. Another solution is to cut a large enough hole against the
side that you're supposed to take out so that you can reach the tube
with a paperclip or such, and re-route it/add an extension that way.
The R200/220/300(M)/320/340 series have a 1.5" x 2" door on the back
that opens directly to the tube. You could cut a hole about this size
so that the right hand side of it (looking from the back of the
printer) is the seam between the removable panel and the printer body.
Then once you've done the re-route, put a piece of duct tape over it
to keep dust out, leaving just enough space for the tube. This might
make it harder to glue an extension tube on it in case the tube isn't
long enough, though. Also, be careful not to pull the waste ink tube
loose from the pump. But you really should do this modification,
rather than accidentally creating a new art piece out of your desk.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

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

 

[Tony]

While one person has said that you can have one reset without worry,
I've seen people post on other message boards that their Epson
printers became a waterfall of ink when moved slightly, even before
the /first/ time the waste ink counter hits critical. I would
reccomend either doing that waste tank re-route or put the printer in
a plastic tray so that if it does leak, it doesn't take half the desk
with it. Another solution is to cut a large enough hole against the
side that you're supposed to take out so that you can reach the tube
with a paperclip or such, and re-route it/add an extension that way.
The R200/220/300(M)/320/340 series have a 1.5" x 2" door on the back
that opens directly to the tube. You could cut a hole about this size
so that the right hand side of it (looking from the back of the
printer) is the seam between the removable panel and the printer body.
Then once you've done the re-route, put a piece of duct tape over it
to keep dust out, leaving just enough space for the tube. This might
make it harder to glue an extension tube on it in case the tube isn't
long enough, though. Also, be careful not to pull the waste ink tube
loose from the pump. But you really should do this modification,
rather than accidentally creating a new art piece out of your desk.

The only waterfalls of ink I have seen in many, many hundreds of printers are
HP inkjets that have not been serviced in time, these have sometimes been
beyond economic repair.
I am very interested in any forum that reports Epson printers with this problem
without having had a waste counter reset and I would appreciate any links that
you have.
Most often Epson waste pads are less than half full when the first warning
appears.
Tony