How long after "Install By" date?

[TJ]

I have acquired an original OEM HP #57 ink cartridge for a bit more than
half-price because the "Install By" date is November 2008. The outer
package is unopened, so I assume the inner package is still sealed, too.
The package states that the "limited warranty expires six months after
the Install By date," so I figure HP was pretty sure it'll last at least
that long.

Yes, measekite, I know HP might not honor the warranty anyway. I don't
care about that. What I want to know is, on average, how long past the
expiration date should I expect the cart and ink to be reasonably good,
assuming I don't open the package. Small changes in the ink colors don't
concern me, considering the stuff I'm going to be printing. However, if
my yellow ink supply turned green, or the magenta became purple, that
would concern me. Also, if the head clogs while it's still sealed, that
would concern me, too.

TJ

 

[measekite]

I have acquired an original OEM HP #57 ink cartridge for a bit more than
half-price because the "Install By" date is November 2008. The outer
package is unopened, so I assume the inner package is still sealed, too.
The package states that the "limited warranty expires six months after
the Install By date," so I figure HP was pretty sure it'll last at least
that long.

Yes, measekite, I know HP might not honor the warranty anyway. I don't
care about that. What I want to know is, on average, how long past the
expiration date should I expect the cart and ink to be reasonably good,
assuming I don't open the package. Small changes in the ink colors don't
concern me, considering the stuff I'm going to be printing. However, if
my yellow ink supply turned green, or the magenta became purple, that
would concern me. Also, if the head clogs while it's still sealed, that
would concern me, too.

TJ

This is most likely a good answer. The ink degrades ever so slightly
after the expiration date. I spoke to Epson and that is what they told me
regarding their brand.

So I am sure that even way after the expiration date the image quality
will be far better than aftermarket no name crap.

 

[albundy2]

I have acquired an original OEM HP #57 ink cartridge for a bit more than
half-price because the "Install By" date is November 2008. The outer
package is unopened, so I assume the inner package is still sealed, too.
The package states that the "limited warranty expires six months after
the Install By date," so I figure HP was pretty sure it'll last at least
that long.

Yes, measekite, I know HP might not honor the warranty anyway. I don't
care about that. What I want to know is, on average, how long past the
expiration date should I expect the cart and ink to be reasonably good,
assuming I don't open the package. Small changes in the ink colors don't
concern me, considering the stuff I'm going to be printing. However, if
my yellow ink supply turned green, or the magenta became purple, that
would concern me. Also, if the head clogs while it's still sealed, that
would concern me, too.

TJ

I think it's a bit of a crap shoot. The date is current enough that it
might be OK. I have opened new carts beyond the date and found they
were dry already despite the so-called sealed packaging. It might only
be a good doner for refilling.

 

[inkjet101]

I think it's a bit of a crap shoot. The date is current enough that it
might be OK. I have opened new carts beyond the date and found they
were dry already despite the so-called sealed packaging. It might only
be a good doner for refilling.

A friend had a new unopened HP printer that was in storage for about two
years. The ink cartridges were therefore well past their install date.
The storage shed was outdoors so the ink cartridges were exposed to both
hot (90/F) and very cold (-10/F) temperatures. Since both cartridges use
water based ink I assume they froze in the winter, probably for several
weeks. I installed the printer and made some test printings. The
tri-color cart failed to work but the black one is still working fine
after several months of use. I bought a new color cart and that's
working fine too. I didn't try to revive the original color cart but it
might have worked with some chemically aided head cleaning. I guess you
shouldn't right off any cartridge until you try it.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Some HP cartridges will not function past a certain date because the
printer checks the cartridge date and determines if the cartridge may
not work due to the age of the ink. You may need to ask HP about which
models contain this chip and what their policy is.

Art

If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/Some

 

[TJ]

Some HP cartridges will not function past a certain date because the
printer checks the cartridge date and determines if the cartridge may
not work due to the age of the ink. You may need to ask HP about which
models contain this chip and what their policy is.

Art

The #57 tricolor isn't one of them. I've successfully used carts that I
refilled myself long after the date stamped on them. The printer does
seem to have a memory of the cart - probably a serial number or
something - but it can only retain three of those numbers at a time. It
uses that memory when stating ink levels. Swap around three other carts,
and the printer says the cart is full again.

TJ