Digital BW, The Print

Just as an update, after discarding my  1160/CIS/Piezo ink due to DSS 
2 1/2 months ago and switching to a 'new" backup 1160 with CIS and MIS 
VM inkset, I am encountering another problem. My magenta nozzle is 
pretty well clogged. I have tried everything from solutions on parking 
pad, inspecting pad, direct injection into printhead, running Epson 
carts etc.

 Epson carts briefly cleared all nozzles but only after a few days of 
flush images/3 cleaning cycles, etc. and when almost all the OEM ink 
had run out it cleared. The CIS still exhibited the problem on 
reinstall. I currently have cleaning carts in and am looking for 
someone having a couple of extra new SEALED prefilled VM MIS carts to 
continue, as MIS is closed over holidays.

Interestingly, Paul had worried that the K ink might clog as it was 
similar to Piezo K ink. In my case the K ink has not shown this to be 
the case.

Please note there is no way to correlate this to the occurance of DSS, 
as I can't get my printer past a good nozzle check, and so cannot do 
my routine 2 1/2 month DSS check with the MIS VM inkset. Bad nozzles 
were never a documented indicator of DSS.

I suspect the current problem is in the printhead rather than the CIS, 
but of course anything is up for grabs. I do know  I checked every 
week or two for the CIS carts unseating.


..............
Right now I suspect that a two week period of non-use during which the 
humidity in the room dropped to 20-25%RH is the culprit, as Diana had 
suggested previously. I have installed a humidifier for the future, to 
keep humidity around 40% (Diana recomended 50%).
...............

I also think that I will go back to carts instead of CIS whether I 
revive this printer or am forced to buy a new one. I don't know if a 
CIS has anything to do with this or not, but at this point, removing 
all the extra "doubts" or variables is desirable.
Jim H.