BCI-3 and BCI-6 are about the easiest of tanks to refill. Instruction are
available on just about any refill suppliers web site, however I think they
make refilling sound more difficult than necessary. I refill BCI-3 (as used
on the i850) and BCI-6 tanks. Physically the color tanks are the same, but
with different ink formulations. The black tank on the BCI-3 is different.
Below is the quick and easy way to refill.
1. If you still have the original caps that covered the ink outlet, put
them back on and hold them tightly in place with a strong rubber band. If
you don't have the caps, a spot of thick cloth duct tape will work just fine
to seal over the outlet. Make sure it is thick cloth duct tape. Other tapes
just don't have the sealing capacity of the duct tape. This is a critical
part of the refilling process. If a seal isn't made, ink will run out when
an opening is made for the ink syringe. Think of it like a soda straw with
water. It doesn't leak while you have your finger on top to make a seal.
This seal should stay in place until the tanks are ready to be put back in
the printer. The only other reason to remove the seal would be to insure
that the tank doesn't drip any ink after the refill is complete.
2. Once the outlet is sealed you need to make an opening to insert a
syringe. I use disposable syringes available at any pharmacy. Tell them you
want the biggest, meanest needle they have since it is for ink refilling and
you shouldn't have a problem purchasing them. Get one for each color and
label it. The last ones I bought were 23¢ each. The web site instructions
will tell you to peel back the label on top and punch out the sealing plug
on top. DON'T DO IT. There are three ways much easier than that.
a.- Near the rear of the top on the reservoir side, drill a small
hole in the top, just big enough for a fine thread screw which will be used
as a seal. If you can find small nylon thumbscrews at a hardware store, they
would be easier to use than either a set screw or machine screw.
or
b.- Heat a paper clip hot enough to melt a hole in the top. Use hot
melt glue to reseal.
or my now favorite method -
c.- On the side of the reservoir about 3/16" below the top make two
small holes with a push pin (or hot paper clip). One hole is for filling,
but it will probably be too small for air to escape. That's what the second
hole is for. If an air escape isn't provided either with a second hole or
one large enough like the ones using a screw or hot melt glue, ink will be
forced out the vent on the area above the sponge (I found out the hard way).
To reseal these two small holes, use a small piece of duct tape. I've used
all three methods, but this is the easiest one.
The other suggestions I would make is to order a couple of sets of
aftermarket tanks and use the right paper. Once one is are empty, use it for
your #2 refilled set and keep the third as an emergency backup. Tyler Martin
Company in Kansas
http://www.tylermartin.com/specials.htm has the very good
prices. I've used the inexpensive Rainbow cartridges he sells and I couldn't
tell any difference in output quality from either Canon or my refill ink.
Office Depot Premium Glossy and Red River Ultra Pro are my favorite papers.
