Homebrew PCBs

Someone on an inkjet transfer list mentioned using Windex to clean
clogged heads. Among other things, I am pretty sure Windex has ammonia
in it.

And someone else gave this link, using a syringe to force a cleaning
solution through the heads. Only works on something you can get
aquarium tubing around, which includes Epsons.

http://www.squaredot.com/flushkit%20web/headflush2.html

Might have to make an adapter to fit on Canons.

I like the part where you heat it in the microwave. Hot cleaning
solution should clean much better than cold.

Maybe this with ammonia could clean out Stefan's clogged floor polish
experiment.

Steve Greenfield

Just be sure to soak up all the windex after you flush with the
syringe. I started up my printer not realizing that there was a 
pool of fluid at the bottom, and smoke began to pour out of
the ink cartridge compartment. Not surprisingly, the poor Espon 800
ceased to function afterwards.


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <alienrelics@y...>
wrote:
> Someone on an inkjet transfer list mentioned using Windex to clean
> clogged heads. Among other things, I am pretty sure Windex has
ammonia

> in it.
> 
> And someone else gave this link, using a syringe to force a cleaning
> solution through the heads. Only works on something you can get
> aquarium tubing around, which includes Epsons.
> 
> http://www.squaredot.com/flushkit%20web/headflush2.html
> 
> experiment.
> 
> Steve Greenfield

... i'm not sure if the ammonia is that good...

compared to the "vinegar wonder" it was rather "a bit better than water"
and i used 7% ammonia. as this smells REALLY BAD i don't think they would 
sell a lot of cleaner with that high concentration.

from the page linked:
"This head can print incredibly fine 1440 dpi images using tiny jets that 
spray ink through holes that even a human hair could not be passed through. 
This means that all ink that is used with this printer must have very fine 
particles. All our POSJET inks are filtered to pass easily through this 
head."
this is what i fear with the polish!
which filters may they use? may it be possible / required to do this 
filtering also with acrylic polish?

i just love this image:
http://www.squaredot.com/flushkit%20web/headfls.gif


i think if doing what they call "thermonuclear solution" ;-) with vinegar 
it may also be fine..

i did the hp "cleaning" also with a syringe, but i put a silicon tubing on 
the nozzle, only pushing it against some
nozzles at the cartridge and pressing the liquid through the other way 
arount (backwards).
i had to repeat this a few times to get all nozzles covered (inner diameter 
of flexible hose small).

it works ok.. but i did never see this "spraying" (no wonder - i did it the 
other way 'round).


i think i will never really use the "pcb inkjet printing" with a hp.
the thermal heads are too easily damaged (there is a reason for mounting 
them on the ink cartridge).
also because of that they don't seem to try to make them more reliable (i 
think a lot % of cartridges never gets empty - especially when usind 
seldom. but so they force this users also to buy regularly new cartridges)

i didn't think about that too much before, i did know the hp cartridges 
well, even had a printer and so this was the most obvious candidate for me.
but a piezo is a lot better....


regards
stefan

In a message dated 6/25/2003 12:35:12 PM Central Standard Time, 
stefan_trethan@... writes:

> 
> ... i'm not sure if the ammonia is that good...
> 
> compared to the "vinegar wonder"

Ammonia is BASIC.  Vinegar is ACIDIC.  If Vinegar works, chances are it is 
because the ink is slightly basic, at least "breaks down" in a basic solution.  
Seems to THIS non-chemist, then, that Ammonia would have NO effect on the 
already-basic ink?  

In pre-Civil War far-eastern Texas, we solid-state wizards had a saying:  If 
it works, ignore the math and the chemistry, and GO for it!


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 6/25/2003 4:01:20 PM Central Standard Time, JanRwl@... 
writes:

> at least "breaks down" in a basic solution.  
> 

Correction:  "... at least "breaks down" in an acidic solution."  Sorry!


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]