Digital BW, The Print

----- Original Message -----
From: "Austin Franklin" <darkroom@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 2:39 AM
Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Re: Epson 3000 opinions


> Hi Ernst,
>
> > > > The
> > > > value is used to monitor the ink amount remaining in the ink
> > > > cartridge.
> > >
> > > My driver doesn't use it, and the printer it self, as far as I can
tell,
> > > does not use the "Ink Consumption Counter" for anything...the lights
are
> > > controlled by the physical sensors.
> >
> > For the continuous warning light: yes! For blinking I think it uses the
> > droplet counter. The sensor isn't sensuous enough for two steps.
>
> Actually, it does use two sensors per ink, one low ink, and one empty.  On
> p. 3-29 they show two physical sensors...one called "Ink Low Sensor" and
one
> called "Ink Cartridge Sensor", and the procedure for removing each one
> individually.  Obviously, the one marked "Ink Low" is for, well, Ink Low,
> and corresponds to the blinking light, as per p. 5-3.

The 'ink cartridge sensor' checks whether a cart is inserted or not.
It doesn't tell you anything about the contents of that cart.

> > > There aren't two levels on the 9000, like the 3000?  Blinking and
solid?
> >
> > Don't believe so, long time ago. But then again the sensor knows
> > only on or
> > off. Blinking is a counting result.
>
> As per the service manual for the 3000, I believe that blinking is simply
> the "Low Ink" mechanical sensor that triggers it, no "counting".

> Well, the service manual clearly shows it's two signals.  Look at the
wiring
> diagram and pinout for CN11, 12, 13 and 7...two active signals.  Now, it
MAY
> count from "Ink Low" to empty...but it appears, according to the service
> manual, that the "Ink Low" is the mechanical trigger for blinking...when
the
> %5 is detected.  It, at least to me, wouldn't make sense to count to "low"
> and use the sensor for "out", simply because the mechanical detection is
far
> more reliable than counting...

Epson isn't known for subtelty on ink consumption. Take an empty cart apart
and you get the picture of how reliable this mechanical detection is.
Reliable in its final action sure but not very accurate for any stage in
between.

> The service manual is somewhat contradictory, it calls the same sensor
"Ink
> low" and "Ink end", but does say that it triggers with %5 left...which to
me
> means low, not out.

The 'empty' cart that you pull out (after the light becomes continues) still
holds 20 ml ink = 5% left.
The 9000 empty cart will contain a bit more.

Ernst