Epson Stylus C86 question

[Elsie]

Hope I've come to the right place for my question!

I have a Model b251A, Epson Stylus C86 and I wish to use my black ink
exclusively as I use this printer for just printing text.

How can I set it so I only use black and not all the other
colors....this model has separate cartridges for each color.

I tried to just buy a refill for just the black ink, leaving the empty
color cartridges in machine but the black is not coming through.

Is this possible to do, without buying refills for the color ink, if so
where do I go to change the commands?

Thanks for any help!

Elsie

 

[Tony]

Hope I've come to the right place for my question!

I have a Model b251A, Epson Stylus C86 and I wish to use my black ink
exclusively as I use this printer for just printing text.

How can I set it so I only use black and not all the other
colors....this model has separate cartridges for each color.

I tried to just buy a refill for just the black ink, leaving the empty
color cartridges in machine but the black is not coming through.

Is this possible to do, without buying refills for the color ink, if so
where do I go to change the commands?

Thanks for any help!

Elsie

Elsie
It is not possible so far as I know. The Epson printhead must have ink
available to it (all colours) in order to keep the head in good condition. For
that reason the printer is designed to stop printing when any of the colours
are empty. If you only want to print black in the future you can use cheap
compatible colour cartridges or refill the colour carts with water (reset the
chip if this printer uses one).
Tony

 

[Jan Alter]

In order to use the C86 you would not be able to leave the color cartridges
out. The software will not allow it. Everytime the printer starts up it
checks to see that the cartridges for all colors and black have ink in them
(it checks the chip disposition which is mounted on the front of each
cartridge). Everytime a cleaning takes place some of the ink from each
cartridge is used, even if you only happen to be cleaning it for perhaps the
black that may not be printing correctly.
When the color cartridges show empty ( a steady red light, not blinking)
printing cannot continue by the Epson software. So even though you only want
to print in black you will still have to have filled color cartridges in
each compartment.
One might try to overcome this rotten deal by using a chip resetter on
the cartridge to show the cartridge full but that will eventually kick back
on you as the cartridge will be empty and ruin the color head of the
printer.
You can, however set the default printing to black by going to the
control panel, then going to printers, right clicking on the C-86 for a drop
down menu and click on properties. At that point you will get the Epson
printer box and you can go to advanced settings and set the default as to
print in black.
While I've got your attention I'd like to point out that your printer
uses the Dura-brite inks, which I have found notorious for clogging printers
and often cause irrevocable clogging once clogged. Well, they've done that
at least for me and a flock of other posters. The best way to avoid this
from happening is to run your printer at least every other day.
One last thing: under no circumstances should you remove a cartridge from
the Epson unless you have another to replace it. Leaving the cartridge
chamber empty invites air to come in and quickly dry the print head out.

 

[Elsie]

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your response, and I guess the only option I have open to
me is to use water in the old cartridges as you suggest, I really do not
want to buy all those colors when I don't really have any use for them.

Thanks again, if all else fails, I will try putting water in cartridges
as you stated.

Elsie

 

[Elsie]

Hi Jan,

I think I got your wonderful advice a little too late, I had removed the
black cartridge for over a week. prior to having the replacement ready.
Didn't realize it would dry out.

I guess I ruined it, huh? I wish I had come to this group before I did
what I did.

Thanks much,
Elsie

 

[measekite]

Hope I've come to the right place for my question!

I have a Model b251A, Epson Stylus C86 and I wish to use my black ink
exclusively as I use this printer for just printing text.

How can I set it so I only use black and not all the other
colors....this model has separate cartridges for each color.

I tried to just buy a refill
MOO

for just the black ink, leaving the empty
color cartridges in machine but the black is not coming through.

Is this possible to do, without buying refills for the color ink, if so
where do I go to change the commands?

Thanks for any help!

Elsie

 

[Jan Alter]

Maybe. However, if there was enough ink in there to keep the head buried in
liquid it may not be too late. What ink is in there will have gotten thicker
at least and may cause the clog anyway.
If you've a real enjoyment for this particular printer maybe it's worth
investing in the cartridges and try it. Should the head be clogged there is
still a possibility of clearing it with cleaning cartridges that can be
purchased or made from empty cartridges for the color that's blocked. You
would still have to reset the chip on the cartridge for the software to
allow usage if you make it yourself.
I've had a few teachers at my school pull out an empty cartridge on an
Epson and leave it empty for a couple of weeks and then nonchalantely ask me
for a replacement cartridge and the printer still printed. Those printers
were dye-based machines, not using the Dura-brite pigment poison. My guess,
in your case, is that you have problem at this point.
Still, if you decide to invest in the cartridges and it doesn't work and
you want to try for clearing the clog you can write to Arthur Entlich and
his Cleaning Manual. He's helped lots of folks with Epson clogs and is very
supportive, not charging a dime for his assistance.

place the @ sign in the extended space below and remove extraneous space
to email him requesting the manual.
e-printerhelp mvps.org

 

[Arthur Entlich]

This printer requires all cartridge slots be filled and that the printer
believes they have ink in them, which it determines by reading the
little chip on the cartridge. If you never have any intention of using
color, ever, you can buy yourself an cartridge resetter on ebay for
under $10. It will allow you to reset the chip and the printer will
then work, but, it will likely make the colored heads very clogged and
nearly impossible to clear at a later date.

In the future, a much cheaper and faster and ultimately more reliable
alternative would be to buy a laser printer. The cost to run it will be
much less per copy.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Elsie, take a look on some of the websites about how to refill those
cartridges. It is a little tricky.

You will still need a chip/cartridge resetter so you trick the printer
into thinking you put in fresh cartridges. The chip determines what the
printer thinks in left in the cartridge.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Please contact me at the email below before giving up on your printer.

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

I may be able to help you. There is no charge for this service.

Art

 

[measekite]

Elsie, take a look on some of the websites about how to refill those
cartridges. It is a little tricky.

OH YEAH

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT AFTERMARKET INK WHERE THE RELABELER
DOES NOT DISCLOSE WHAT THEY ARE SELLING AND THEY GOT A PRINT CLOG. SO
THEY WENT TO ANTOHER PLACE TO BUY AFTERMARKET INK ALSO WHERE THE
RELABELER DOES NOT DISLCOSE WHAT THEY ARE SELLING AND THE PERSON GOT THE
EXACT SAME INK AND DID NOT KNOW IT. MORE CLOGGING TROUBLE.

FOR CONSISTENCY AND GOOD RESULTS YOU SHOULD ONLY BUY OEM FACTORY INK.
THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS IF YOU ARE A VERY VERY HEAVY PRINT USER AND WILL
USUSALLY GET ENOUGH MILEAGE BEFORE YOU GET A PRINT CLOG THAT YOU ARE
AHEAD OF THE GAME.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR THE AVERAGE USER.