Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Jeff Randall" 
<jrandall@c...> wrote:
> Air trapped in the printhead is not always "fatal".  Sometimes just 
> letting the printer sit over night is all that is needed for the 
> bubbles to clear.  After that, if you are into this, its time to 
> inject bubble free cleaning solution, either Windex or 9 parts water 
> to 1 part household ammonia, through the printhead using a syringe 
> and tubing (search the archives here or visit the MIS or Inkjetmall 
> web sites for lots of info) or take it to your local Epson repair 
> shop.  BTW, Epson folks strongly advise against cleaning your 
> printhead your self.

I'd pretty much go along with this, maybe wording it like "usually" it 
is not fatal. Folks seem to want to get a cart running immediately 
with many cleaning cycles and etc, when all they should be doing is 
turning off printer and waiting overnight. I have this situation right 
now, am hoping I won't have problems after it has a rest...

However, I avoid direct injection although others have had good sucess 
with it. I usually install Epson carts first and run them for awhile. 
This clears up any problem the head is causing- the rest will probably 
be due to the CIS/CFS. The CFS is so easy and cheap to replace I 
would just do this, but I have once restored it with the bottom fill 
adapter method Jeff mentions. If I had a CIS instead, I think I would 
install new carts and flush the lines. I would probably also at least 
replace the K ink bottle.

Actually what I AM doing is trying to get back to self filled carts as 
I just can't keep a CIS or a CFS working in my climate it seems.

> 
<snip>
  I find that I 
> need to pull ink from the bottom exit port of the cart to reprime.  
> MIS sells a bottom fill adaptor that works well.  You can pull the 
> ink through and squirt it back into the appropriate bottle.
>
<snip>

 
> I find the rivits to work very well for me, but you could always 
> place some black electrical tape (or your favorite tape varity) over 
> the rivets.

Or you can use EZ-Plugs from anyplace that sells the nomorecarts CIS. 
But keep the receipt because the plastic cracks very easily, some 
suspect as a result of the solvent in the ink! I keep two pairs and 
keep sending in one pair as it cracks. Some day nomorecarts may wonder 
why they have to always replace these things and get a better design. 
But the EZ-Plugs have less tendancy to distort the rubber seals than 
the MIS Rivets (smaller diameter) and are easier to insert/remove. But 
cost $15/set.
Jim H.

> 
> Your mileage may vary!
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Jeff Randall
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "donbga" <dsbryant@m...> 
> wrote:
> > Jeff,
> > >  Two things to remember: the more frequently you swap, 
> > > the more likely you are to introduce air into the printheads, 
and 
> > the 
> > > longer a CFS unit is unused, the more likely it is to develop 
> > sludge 
> > > in the lines due to the water/solvent permeability of the tygon 
> > > tubes.  
> > >
> > 
> > What are the consequences of getting air inside the print head(s)? 
> A 
> > blocking of ink flow obviously but would that be a fatal situation 
> > requiring Epson service?
> > 
> > How does one detect sludging of the feeder line? And how do you 
> > recommend clearing it?
> > 
> > And as Jerry Olson pointed out the MIS rivets don't provide a 100% 
> > seal. What do you use?
> > 
> > Thanks very much for your help. 
> > 
> > Don Bryant