Inking Issues With Ink Jet Printers

[Jingthing]

Looking at dot matrix printers on offer, there are various ink options in Thailand --

cartridge system, replace with original cartridges -- very expensive but totally Kosher

cartridge system, replace with copy cartridges -- not expensive but presumably breaking printer warranty, potential technical issues?

ink tank system, replace with high quality liquid inks -- economical compared to cartridges

ink tank system, replace with low quality liquid inks -- very economical but potential technical issues (quick drying out)

My main question here is that I have seen some printers being sold with the ink tanks installed. Are these setups approved by the manufacturers, meaning the warranty would still be good, or not?

Any general feedback about which ink delivery system to use, this is the thread for that.

Edited October 28, 2010 by Jingthing

[opalhort]

I thought Dot-Matrix printers use only ribbon cartridges but no liquid ink?

My EPSON LQ-300+II is very reliable and original ribbons cost only about 200 Baht and last quite long.

opalhort

[Jingthing]

OOOPS!

I meant INK JET, sorry.

[lopburi3]

Title changed.

With printers costing little more than replacement ink do not see a warranty problem anymore - they are throw away items cost wise.

[Jingthing]

Well the all in one printers I am looking at are in the 4 to 5K baht range, so I don't feel that it is true that even the most expensive replacement ink method costs anywhere near that amount. In any case, has anyone tried the plastic ink tank systems? That does seem appealing to me, having the ability to print lots with little regard to the cost per page.

[MYKTHEMIN]

I was looking at a Canon MP258 all in one inkjet last week in Loei to replace my HP due to the high price of ink cartridges, the price with tanks was 3000 all in, but they stated that the warranty was no longer valid, so I guess at that price it can become a throw away item if it fails. Anyone tried one?

[MagnumForce]

The timing of this thread couldn't be better! While not directly in answer to the OP's query, I do have a related issue which some of you may be able to help me with

I have an Epson Stylus CX5500 Series 8 printer whuch I recently had adapted to use those ink tanks attached to the side of the printer rather than fork out wads of cash on new Epson cartridges. Tonight, in the middle of printing some items, I got a message saying that the black ink supply was empty. In reality it is almost full in the tank. This has prevented me from being able to print anything as the red light indicating 'no ink' is flashing on the printer.

Does anyone have any ideas about how I could fix this myself before bringing it back to the shop who adapted my printer please? I've tried disconnecting the plastic tube from the black ink tank and cartridge to check for a blockage but it seems ok.

Thanks.:jap:

MF

[MagnumForce]

Duplicate post removed

Edited October 28, 2010 by MagnumForce

[BB1950]

The timing of this thread couldn't be better! While not directly in answer to the OP's query, I do have a related issue which some of you may be able to help me with

I have an Epson Stylus CX5500 Series 8 printer whuch I recently had adapted to use those ink tanks attached to the side of the printer rather than fork out wads of cash on new Epson cartridges. Tonight, in the middle of printing some items, I got a message saying that the black ink supply was empty. In reality it is almost full in the tank. This has prevented me from being able to print anything as the red light indicating 'no ink' is flashing on the printer.

Does anyone have any ideas about how I could fix this myself before bringing it back to the shop who adapted my printer please? I've tried disconnecting the plastic tube from the black ink tank and cartridge to check for a blockage but it seems ok.

Thanks.:jap:

MF

Depends on the type of in tank system.

Some tank systems have a switch on the cartridge pack that you have to press when you go through the printers replace cartridge process. This resets the chips on the print cartridge.

Some have an automatic reset just go through the process similar to above and the chips reset automatically or turn the printer off and back on to reset the chips.

Then there is the 3rd kind of cartridge where you go through the process of replacing the cartridge, but instead of replacing the cartridge, you just lift the cartridge and then reinsert.

If neither of these methods work, you have a faulty chip on the cartridge. Take it to a printer shop. the chips are inexpensive.

[cardholder]

I was looking at a Canon MP258 all in one inkjet last week in Loei to replace my HP due to the high price of ink cartridges, the price with tanks was 3000 all in, but they stated that the warranty was no longer valid, so I guess at that price it can become a throw away item if it fails. Anyone tried one?

Got one with the external ink tanks, Cost 2,800 Baht about 9 months ago.

Just paid 300 baht for repairs because I was over-zealous in trying to find the cause of the black ink being empty !

Guy in the shop (answer for Magnum Force, although his is Epson) said just press the reset button for 10 seconds ????

[BB1950]

Well the all in one printers I am looking at are in the 4 to 5K baht range, so I don't feel that it is true that even the most expensive replacement ink method costs anywhere near that amount. In any case, has anyone tried the plastic ink tank systems? That does seem appealing to me, having the ability to print lots with little regard to the cost per page.

I have been using the tank system on my Epson T11 printer for over three years with no problems of ink drying out or loss of print quality. I have been very pleased. A lot less hassle then replacing cartridges..

That being said there are some 'gotchas' that you must be aware of.

1. Adding a tank system does void the original printer warranty.
2. The tank system must be installed by a qualified technician, that installs the print cartridges and feed lines, so that the lines are not pinched or kinked and do not interfere with the movement of the print head.
3. Not all tank systems are the same. You need to buy a high quality tank system that include automatic reset chips on the ink cartridges. A good tank system will also have replaceable air inlet filters on the tanks.
4. Use a good quality ink designed especially for your make of printer. In appropriate ink can cause the heads to dry out.
5. You must always turn off the printer at the printer switch when not printing. This parks the heads so that they will not dry out! Do not unplug the printer or use a multi outlet switch to turn off the printer. If power should fail while the printer is on, turn the printer back on when power is restored. Then turn printer off with the printer switch to park the heads.

Edited October 28, 2010 by BB1950

[lopburi3]

I was looking at a Canon MP258 all in one inkjet last week in Loei to replace my HP due to the high price of ink cartridges, the price with tanks was 3000 all in, but they stated that the warranty was no longer valid, so I guess at that price it can become a throw away item if it fails. Anyone tried one?

I have had the same model without external tanks for several months now and very happy with it. All functions work well so would not even look at more expensive models unless a specific requirement for wi-fi or something. The only negative is the normal Canon noise getting ready to print if not aware someone it going to use.