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Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-28 by kenlee333@...

A few months ago I experienced a clogged channel which did not respond to repeated cleaning cycles. Following the instructions from an online video, I tried to clean the printer but broke it. I eventually brought the printer to an authorized Epson repair service who replaced several key parts, tubes etc. at high cost.

I thought the moral of the story was to use the printer frequently and avoid clogging. I've used the printer several times a week.

However, the Light Magenta channel is clogged and doesn't respond to cleaning cycles. When I print the Quadtone RIP calibration target, 5 channels print perfectly, but the LM channel is blank.

Is there an inherent problem using Eboni 6 with the Epson 3880 ? Have I missed something ? At this point the only option I can see is to follow the videos again: use some kind of solvent and try to clean the head, wiper etc.

Thank you for your help !

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-28 by Norm Plummer

Really an off the wall thought but it helped me on an R2400 that kept showing clogs. Be sure the ink bottles are more or less level with the printer. I had mine on the shelf below the printer and the printer couldn’t consistently pull the ink up to the print heads.

Since I did that, everything has been fine….
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> On Dec 28, 2015, at 4:35 PM, kenlee333@gmail.com [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> 
> A few months ago I experienced a clogged channel which did not respond to repeated cleaning cycles. Following the instructions from an online video, I tried to clean the printer but broke it. I eventually brought the printer to an authorized Epson repair service who replaced several key parts, tubes etc. at high cost.
> 
> I thought the moral of the story was to use the printer frequently and avoid clogging. I've used the printer several times a week.
> 
> However, the Light Magenta channel is clogged and doesn't respond to cleaning cycles. When I print the Quadtone RIP calibration target, 5 channels print perfectly, but the LM channel is blank. 
> 
> Is there an inherent problem using Eboni 6 with the Epson 3880 ? Have I missed something ? At this point the only option I can see is to follow the videos again: use some kind of solvent and try to clean the head, wiper etc. 
> 
> Thank you for your help !
> 
>

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-28 by Paul Roark

I used Eboni-6 in a 3880 for months with no problems at all. I mixed my own using STS WJ1082 (what MIS sells as Eboni MK) and my generic base c6b.

(I buy wholesale at STS and mix myself due to volume and cost. Assuming MIS has not changed its Eb6 formula, it's as good or better than the generic mixed versions.)

I'd wonder about the cart.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
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On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 2:35 PM, kenlee333@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

A few months ago I experienced a clogged channel which did not respond to repeated cleaning cycles. Following the instructions from an online video, I tried to clean the printer but broke it. I eventually brought the printer to an authorized Epson repair service who replaced several key parts, tubes etc. at high cost.

I thought the moral of the story was to use the printer frequently and avoid clogging. I've used the printer several times a week.

However, the Light Magenta channel is clogged and doesn't respond to cleaning cycles. When I print the Quadtone RIP calibration target, 5 channels print perfectly, but the LM channel is blank.

Is there an inherent problem using Eboni 6 with the Epson 3880 ? Have I missed something ? At this point the only option I can see is to follow the videos again: use some kind of solvent and try to clean the head, wiper etc.

Thank you for your help !


Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by kenlee333@...

I think the problem is with the printer. The cart seems fine, the printer doesn't complain about the ink level - or anything for that matter. It's only when I go to print that no ink comes out of the LM channel.

I guess I could re-profile the printer and use one of the unused channels instead, but what if that one goes bad next ?

I was hoping that someone could convey a good technique for clearing a blocked channel. The last time I tried to clean the printer myself, I regretted it.

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by Paul Roark

I used Jon Cone's. MIS sent a beta set later, but I did not have a chance to test it. They appear to be the same.

I initially tried to re-use OEM carts, using the JToolman (sp?) method. Some of the seals leaked and made a mess - not recommended.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
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On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 4:38 PM, kenlee333@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Whose carts would you recommend please ?

Thanks !


Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by Keith Schreiber

Ken,

If there is nothing at all coming through a channel, then there is a good chance that the damper is clogged. I had that problem on a 3800 2 or 3 years ago. I replaced the whole ink supply system, which it turns out wasn’t really necessary except that part suppliers didn’t sell individual dampers for the 3800/3880. You can get them on eBay though, as I found out later. I posted a detailed description with pictures on Cone’s inkjetmall forum. I don’t have a direct link handy. but could find it if you are interested. I gave that printer to a friend last year and it is still going strong.

Keith
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> On Dec 28, 2015, at 6:40 PM, kenlee333@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> 
> I think the problem is with the printer. The cart seems fine, the printer doesn't complain about the ink level - or anything for that matter. It's only when I go to print that no ink comes out of the LM channel. 
> 
> I guess I could re-profile the printer and use one of the unused channels instead, but what if that one goes bad next ? 
> 
> I was hoping that someone could convey a good technique for clearing a blocked channel.   The last time I tried to clean the printer myself, I regretted it.
> 
>

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by kenlee333@...

Your theory is proving correct: I put some ink into the (previously unused) LK cartridge, and the printer then started making a noise for a minute or so and then displayed error message 1404 which apparently indicates a vacuum failure. When the printer is turned on, it pulls ink from the cartridges but fails because the seals aren't sound.

Perhaps these cartridges have simply started to fail after 2.5 years. The chip still communicates with the printer, but the cartridge isn't delivering the ink.

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by Myron Gochnauer

I have used a 3880 with OEM inks for three or four years, but not heavily. Occasionally it will sit, turned off, for a month or more. I’ve never had a clogging problem that was not resolved by a single, ordinary head cleaning.

My 4880 has had many more clogs, some of which seemed resistant to software-governed cleaning. I mostly use MIS inks in it. I purchased an inexpensive set of empty cartridges on eBay, and fill them with a cleaning solution. Once in a while I drain all of the inks, clean the parking pad, put in the cleaning cartridges and print flushing patterns until the results are clear (i.e. little or no colour). Then I put a little more cleaning solution on the parking pad, turn the machine off, and let it sit overnight. I can’t recall for sure, but I think I print the flushing pattern again in the morning before draining the cleaner and reinstalling the normal cartridges. That has always worked.

At the moment I can’t remember what I used for a cleaning solution, but I know it was no more exotic than distilled/demineralized water plus ammonia, Windex and/or MIS’s clear base. The formula was not my invention.

Myron



On Dec 29, 2015, at 10:39 AM, kenlee333@gmail.com [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

The 1404 issue has been resolved: the little O-rings in a cartridge had come off when I was refilling it, making a seal impossible.

With the O-ring restored, I'm back to the original issue: the LM channel is blocked.


Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by Paul Roark

If the LM cart is good and replacing the damper, as Keith noted can be done, does not work, keep in mind that the 6% ink in the LM position is repeated in the LLM position. Typically the profiles are written so that the LK and LLK are "toners." You can switch the LLK to a "gray" ink and give it the density and ink load that is on the LM. LM would be switched to "Not Used" status.

You can see from the profiles that the "toner" carried about 30% of the load. The toner would now be composed solely of the 18% LK ink. If there are visible dots in the highlights (unlikely to be visible in real photos), you can alter the split of the total ink load (50 with Epson HP) so that the toner carries less.

Or, get rid of the toner entirely, using the LK to carry half of what the M would then carry. For Epson HP M would have a load of 25 and the LK would copy the LM curve and have a load of 25.

In short, if a K3 printer has a dead channel, you can work around that in QTR.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
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On Tue, Dec 29, 2015 at 6:39 AM, kenlee333@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

The 1404 issue has been resolved: the little O-rings in a cartridge had come off when I was refilling it, making a seal impossible.

With the O-ring restored, I'm back to the original issue: the LM channel is blocked.


Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by Keith Schreiber

Here is the link:

At the end of page 2 someone who has actually replaced a single damper has recently added some notes.

Why did you replace the ink supply system earlier? Was it for the same issue? If so, was it the same channel? I ask because it is a fairly difficult procedure and maybe in this case not what is necessary.



On Dec 29, 2015, at 10:23 AM, kenlee333@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

If you can find the link that would be helpful. I had the whole supply system replaced a few months ago. That's what bothers me about this whole approach.


Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by Paul Roark

"... I had the whole supply system replaced a few months ago."

I can't imagine the damper is clogged.

Note, again, that the LLK uses the same ink as the LM in the 3880 EbVT setup I published. So, if the LLK is working, that suggests something mechanical in the LM position.

In general, I've used Eboni-6 for years in Epson 1.5 and 3.5 pl printers. I mix my own with the generic base, usually c6b version. It has been totally reliable and virtually never clogs.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
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On Tue, Dec 29, 2015 at 9:23 AM, kenlee333@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

If you can find the link that would be helpful. I had the whole supply system replaced a few months ago. That's what bothers me about this whole approach.


Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by kellyhealy@...

Have you checked to make sure the priming port plug is present on the right side of the cart (looking from the back) ? The plug is in a recess on the side very near the exit port. it is the same color as the cart and not real obvious. This is on the Cone carts. Don"t know of any others.

Have yo tried changing the chips to another cart as in Magenta and switching the carts. Otherwise known working cart to the non working slot.

I have been running Ebony generation for several years. In a 1400, 3880 and a 2880 with virtually no clogs. If it won't clog in a 2880 I can't imagine it would clog anywhere.
Kelly

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by kenlee333@...

Up to now I have used the 6 Eboni inks purchased from MIS. I have made my own QTR profiles using 6 channels: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Light Cyan and Light Magenta. The cartridges for Light Black and Light Light Black have remained empty and my profiles make no reference to them. Using 6 inks has worked wonderfully, giving lovely prints.

I just loaded some of the ink I normally use in the Light magenta cartridge, into the Light Black cartridge, ran a cleaning cycle, and printed a QTR Ink Pattern Page. The Light Black channel shows up fine. I will adjust one of my profiles to use the same numbers in LK as previously used in LM and see how that works.

I wonder if sooner or later, another channel will clog.

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Eboni 6 + Epson 3880: Clogged Channels a regular issue ?

2015-12-29 by kenlee333@...

Thank you for sharing that link.

Because I am not a customer of Inkjet Mall, I can't create an account on that forum. While I can read the messages I can't view the attached images.

I replaced the ink supply mechanism because I had a clogged channel. The Epson repair people I visited would not attempt to clean anything: they were only willing to replace parts.

I thought that I had created the clogs by not using the printer often enough. I now realize that regular printing and cleaning cycles weren't enough.

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