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OT: Epson chips

OT: Epson chips

2018-05-29 by Myron Gochnauer

I apologize for being off topic, but many of you are pretty sophisticated with Epson printers, and so might know the answer to a simple question (or series of related questions):

What are the differences between cartridge chips for the different positions in Epson printers such as the 3880? Is each one unique?

Some things are obvious: The chips electronically identify Epson as the maker - - - unlike 3rd party chips, they are recognized as "genuine Epson”. And they clearly keep some kind of count or measure of usage.

But do they also uniquely identify: 1) the colour and/or position; and/or 2) the printer series (3880 vs. 4880 vs. 3900 etc.)?

Position and printer series are already identified and limited by the physical construction of the cartridges themselves:
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The 4880 cartridges have raised ‘tabs’ in various positions on top and bottom near the insertion end.
The 3880 cartridges have a kind of steps-and-keys arrangement (and the position # printed/pressed into the plastic) on the side opposite the large label.

These physical tabs and keys make it unnecessary to include electronic position and printer checks in the chips themselves. Do any of you know whether the chips do, in fact, ignore position and printer model? If they do, what differences, if any, are there between the chips in different positions and in different printer series? Are they all the same?

Supplementary question: if they are not all the same, is there any visual way to distinguish between them?

Aside: With earlier, smaller printers like the 2200, I think the chips contained at least colour information. I have a set of chips that I bought years ago for the 2200, and they are in separate anti-static pouches identified by colour.

Reason for the questions: When recycling Epson cartridges (4880 and 3880), I usually remove the chips just in case I have a future use for them. At present, I keep them carefully sorted by printer and colour. Is this really necessary??? [Yes, I can do a series of experiments, but this is one of those cases where reinventing the wheel doesn’t seem to offer any additional benefits.]

If you read all of this, thank you!!

Myron


RE: [QuadtoneRIP] OT: Epson chips

2018-05-29 by George Butch

I have a 3800 equipped with Jon Cone's carts and and arrangement that uses both the original Epson chip and an additional chip that tells the printer the cartridge is always full.  Both types of chips are color specific to the cartridge position.    https://shop.inkjetmall.com/
George Butch…..
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From: QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com [mailto:QuadtoneRIP@...m] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 2:33 PM
To: QTR group group
Subject: [QuadtoneRIP] OT: Epson chips

 

  

I apologize for being off topic, but many of you are pretty sophisticated with Epson printers, and so might know the answer to a simple question (or series of related questions): 

 

What are the differences between cartridge chips for the different positions in Epson printers such as the 3880? Is each one unique?

 

Some things are obvious:   The chips electronically identify Epson as the maker - - - unlike 3rd party chips, they are recognized as "genuine Epson”.  And they clearly keep some kind of count or measure of usage.

 

But do they also uniquely identify:  1) the colour and/or position; and/or 2) the printer series (3880 vs. 4880 vs. 3900 etc.)?

 

Position and printer series are already identified and limited by the physical construction of the cartridges themselves:

The 4880 cartridges have raised ‘tabs’ in various positions on top and bottom near the insertion end.

The 3880 cartridges have a kind of steps-and-keys arrangement (and the position # printed/pressed into the plastic) on the side opposite the large label.

 

These physical tabs and keys make it unnecessary to include electronic position and printer checks in the chips themselves. Do any of you know whether the chips do, in fact, ignore position and printer model?   If they do, what differences, if any, are there between the chips in different positions and in different printer series? Are they all the same?

 

Supplementary question:  if they are not all the same, is there any visual way to distinguish between them?

 

Aside:  With earlier, smaller printers like the 2200, I think the chips contained at least colour information. I have a set of chips that I bought years ago for the 2200, and they are in separate anti-static pouches identified by colour.

 

Reason for the questions:  When recycling Epson cartridges (4880 and 3880), I usually remove the chips just in case I have a future use for them. At present, I keep them carefully sorted by printer and colour.  Is this really necessary??? [Yes, I can do a series of experiments, but this is one of those cases where reinventing the wheel doesn’t seem to offer any additional benefits.]

 

If you read all of this, thank you!!

 

Myron

Re: [QuadtoneRIP] OT: Epson chips

2018-05-30 by Mick Sang

Re keeping the chips sorted, The chips identify the ink colour and I think the 3880 cartridges are considerably smaller (less capacity) than the 4880. So, volume would come into play regarding the chips from the carts.



Mick
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From: <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of "Myron Gochnauer goch@... [QuadtoneRIP]" <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com>
Reply-To: <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 2:32 PM
To: QTR group group <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [QuadtoneRIP] OT: Epson chips

 



I apologize for being off topic, but many of you are pretty sophisticated with Epson printers, and so might know the answer to a simple question (or series of related questions):



What are the differences between cartridge chips for the different positions in Epson printers such as the 3880? Is each one unique?



Some things are obvious:   The chips electronically identify Epson as the maker - - - unlike 3rd party chips, they are recognized as "genuine Epson”.  And they clearly keep some kind of count or measure of usage.



But do they also uniquely identify:  1) the colour and/or position; and/or 2) the printer series (3880 vs. 4880 vs. 3900 etc.)?



Position and printer series are already identified and limited by the physical construction of the cartridges themselves:

The 4880 cartridges have raised ‘tabs’ in various positions on top and bottom near the insertion end.

The 3880 cartridges have a kind of steps-and-keys arrangement (and the position # printed/pressed into the plastic) on the side opposite the large label.



These physical tabs and keys make it unnecessary to include electronic position and printer checks in the chips themselves. Do any of you know whether the chips do, in fact, ignore position and printer model?   If they do, what differences, if any, are there between the chips in different positions and in different printer series? Are they all the same?



Supplementary question:  if they are not all the same, is there any visual way to distinguish between them?



Aside:  With earlier, smaller printers like the 2200, I think the chips contained at least colour information. I have a set of chips that I bought years ago for the 2200, and they are in separate anti-static pouches identified by colour.



Reason for the questions:  When recycling Epson cartridges (4880 and 3880), I usually remove the chips just in case I have a future use for them. At present, I keep them carefully sorted by printer and colour.  Is this really necessary??? [Yes, I can do a series of experiments, but this is one of those cases where reinventing the wheel doesn’t seem to offer any additional benefits.]



If you read all of this, thank you!!



Myron

Re: OT: Epson chips

2018-05-30 by info@...

Reason for the questions: When recycling Epson cartridges (4880 and 3880), I usually remove the chips just in case I have a future use for them. At present, I keep them carefully sorted by printer and colour. Is this really necessary???

Hello Myron,

I think the quick answer to your question is, the only reason to keep Epson chips is to use them in third party cartridges, and yes you will need to know exactly which cartridges they came off, which is why it might be better to store them on the original cartridges.

Paul


Re: [QuadtoneRIP] Re: OT: Epson chips

2018-05-31 by Myron Gochnauer

Thanks to everyone who answered. The verdict was unanimous: the chips are position and printer specific.

I had a look at the 3880 cartridges from InkJetMall, and they look pretty good.

I have a no-name Chinese set that also uses the Epson cartridges in addition to custom-made chips. In my case, though, you have to cover one of the Epson contacts with a thin strip of electrical tape. (I don’t know why.) They are 220ml, too, so they protrude from the printer. It is necessary to jam the cover-closed lever closed, which is a bit finicky. I have only used them in the black positions, but in a year or more I haven’t had any problems with them. [They were a bit cheaper than InkJetMall, but not so much that I would choose them again.]

Myron

On May 30, 2018, at 9:58 AM, info@paullowry.com [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:


Reason for the questions: When recycling Epson cartridges (4880 and 3880), I usually remove the chips just in case I have a future use for them. At present, I keep them carefully sorted by printer and colour. Is this really necessary???

Hello Myron,

I think the quick answer to your question is, the only reason to keep Epson chips is to use them in third party cartridges, and yes you will need to know exactly which cartridges they came off, which is why it might be better to store them on the original cartridges.

Paul




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