QTR-Quadtone RIP

Good day.

I realize this is an old post but I just saw it.

I have both a 4800 and a 3800 wide format printer.� For various reasons 
the 4800 sat for more than a year with almost no output and was very 
clogged when I set about resuscitating it several weeks ago.

This will or can be something that can take several weeks.� I made up 
flushing carts with 3:1 RV antifreeze and isopropyl alcohol and ran 
several power cleans with these.� I also made up a soaking compress of 
3:1 Simple Green and Isopropyl alcohol and did a number of positioning 
the print head over a paper towel wetted down with the SimpleGreen and 
Isopropyl alcohol mixture.

After many head soaks and then nozzle checks the flushing carts cleared 
everything but the magenta and light magenta. Surprise, surprise, the 
magenta inks are known to clog.

I then noticed that the magenta line was not really full while the rest 
were.� I used the repair manual and disengaged the magenta ink line and 
using a syringe and a suitable diameter bit of poly hose managed to suck 
the air out of the magenta ink line and bring ink mixed with flushing 
fluid to the head.� I reattached the ink line at this point.

I then ran several nozzle checks and cleaning cycles and then left the 
printer to sit in its flushing juices for a bit.

I was still having trouble with the magenta line so I bit the bullet and 
changed out the damper.� It didn't appear to have much in the way of ink 
in it so after all the cleaning cycles it really must have been clogged 
and therefore not pulling in any ink.

Several cleanings and nozzle checks later I had full ink flow on all colors.

I now use Qimage to print at least one daily and sometimes twice daily 
the� built in full 8 color nozzle check image.� I also sometimes use the 
Marutt 8 color purging print to further exercise the inks and the print 
head.

So my old, seldom used 4800 is back to life.� I have done this 
previously with a 4000 printer and might do so again as I am giving that 
one to a friend who is just starting out.

I provide this information in the hope that others may revive their 
comatose and potentially bound for the scarp heap 4800 printers.

Good luck.� These Epson printers are prone to clogging but they produce 
such lovely prints.� i think it is a bit of a green thing to try and� 
keep these old but excellent machines in use.

BTW, I use third party inks and run my own ICC profiles.� Soon I will 
turn the 4800 over to a full carbon black ink set workflow and won't 
that be fun.� The 3800 will be reserved for full color work.

Regards to the list.


Mark MacKenzie