Digital BW, The Print

***Could you tell me WHY Epson recommends turning the printer off when
not in use? Is there truly a downside to leaving it on all the time?***

"Thank you for contacting the Epson Connection.
It is important to always turn your printer off by the power switch
(not by a surge protector or power bar) when not in use, as this
protects the printheads from exposure to air and dust which can cause
blocked nozzles.
If you are leaving your printer on for extended periods of time
without use, the printheads will be exposed to air and dust.

If you require further assistance with this particular issue, please
ensure all of our previous correspondence is contained in your reply,
so we canbetter track the history of this issue."

****OK...how much ink does the printer use on startup each time? Is
there documentation for the heads being protected from dust etc. when
the printer is off or for increase in clogs when it is left on?***

Thank you for contacting the Epson Connection.

"We do not provide information as to how much ink is used in a
cleaning cycle. It varies by printer model, by use, and by the type of
cleaningcycle called for.
Epson does not provide the ink volume in mls for its cartridges
because mls do not translate into any usable print information.  Mls
will not tell you how much printing you can get out of a cartridge.  
To get an idea of how much printing can be done from a cartridge,
Epson provides estimated page yields for the black cartridges and
color cartridges for its printers.
If you require further assistance with this particular issue, please
ensure all of our previous correspondence is contained in your reply,
so we can better track the history of this issue"

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "how786"
<how786@...> wrote:
>
> ***Could you tell me WHY Epson recommends turning the printer off when
> not in use? Is there truly a downside to leaving it on all the time?***
> 
> "Thank you for contacting the Epson Connection.
> It is important to always turn your printer off by the power switch
> (not by a surge protector or power bar) when not in use, as this
> protects the printheads from exposure to air and dust which can cause
> blocked nozzles.

This seems to have been common practice for some time now.
Unfortunately there is current conflicting info floating around about
the x800 series Epsons. I'm now being advised to leave the 9800 on, as
the heads may no longer be capped in the power off position. But I've
not had any information directly from Epson confirming or denying.
Tyler

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tyler Boley" 
<tyler@...> wrote:
> 
> This seems to have been common practice for some time now.
> Unfortunately there is current conflicting info floating around 
about
> the x800 series Epsons. I'm now being advised to leave the 9800 on, 
as
> the heads may no longer be capped in the power off position. But 
I've
> not had any information directly from Epson confirming or denying.
> Tyler
>

If that was the case, wouldn't Epson make a firmware change to fix 
this? Long ago they fixed the problem where the heads would not fully 
park between print jobs (on the desktop printers) which cause clogs 
if you left the printer on for long periods without use. I would hope 
that they programmed the 9800 to properly park when not in use and 
when it turns off. You should be able to see if the head is parked, 
and then if it moves when you turn the power off. That would also be 
worth a phone call to get Epson to clear that up since all the 
78/9800 are currently under warranty.

Only thing I can say for certasin is from my own experience: with a
few exceptions (for 8 days after hurricane Wilma and a few times I was
away for a day), my 2400 has been constantly on for over 7 months. 
Not the first clog or any other problem.  Next time I make a print
I'll watch and try to see if the heads are parked.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm