Canon BubbleJet BJC-4200 Cartridge Assembly

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Fairbrother
  • Start date Start date
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David Fairbrother

My Canon BubbleJet 4200 broke down awhile ago, and I've been told I need
to replace the cartridge assembly...what *is* a cartridge assembly?
Could someone point me to a guide on installing one?
(And..any places I could buy one in Australia?)
cheers :)
 
David Fairbrother said:
My Canon BubbleJet 4200 broke down awhile ago, and I've been told I need
to replace the cartridge assembly...what *is* a cartridge assembly?
Could someone point me to a guide on installing one?
(And..any places I could buy one in Australia?)
cheers :)
Click to expand...

David
The description "Cartridge Assembly" is unusual.
It could refer to the Carriage Assembly, Printhead or (not so likely) to an Ink
Cartridge.
It would be easier to decide which part it is if you could describe the
symptoms that led to the suggestion that this assembly be replaced.
Tony
 
Tony said:
David
The description "Cartridge Assembly" is unusual.
It could refer to the Carriage Assembly, Printhead or (not so likely) to an Ink
Cartridge.
It would be easier to decide which part it is if you could describe the
symptoms that led to the suggestion that this assembly be replaced.
Tony
Click to expand...
ah. i headed to the fixyourownprinter.com forum :
http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/printer/36640
basically what was happening was, the printer would beep once, then
twice again quickly when I pressed the "Cartridge" button. The answer
was in that forum post :P
thanks
 
David Fairbrother said:
ah. i headed to the fixyourownprinter.com forum :
http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/printer/36640
basically what was happening was, the printer would beep once, then
twice again quickly when I pressed the "Cartridge" button. The answer
was in that forum post :P
thanks
Click to expand...

OK that's clear. The printhead has failed and needs to be replaced, it is a
BC-21E. These printheads certainly fail from time to time.
It should come with two new ink tanks. Replacement is simple.
Two suggestions
1. Compare the cost (A$85.00 approximately) with the cost of a new printer
before you decide.
2. If you do decide to replace the printhead, use the old ink tanks with it
until they run out before you install the new tanks. You can't harm the new
printhead using the old tanks.
Tony
 
Tony said:
OK that's clear. The printhead has failed and needs to be replaced, it is a
BC-21E. These printheads certainly fail from time to time.
It should come with two new ink tanks. Replacement is simple.
Two suggestions
1. Compare the cost (A$85.00 approximately) with the cost of a new printer
before you decide.
2. If you do decide to replace the printhead, use the old ink tanks with it
until they run out before you install the new tanks. You can't harm the new
printhead using the old tanks.
Tony
Click to expand...
gahhh, i feel like a noob :(
i had a printhead+cartrdiges lying in the cupboard - while they were
dried up, they still worked and the printer works great...now all i need
are the cartridges..
yeah, i was worried about the costs too. i think i'm a bit of an idiot -
but i love old technology :) a weakness of mine
cheers
 
David Fairbrother said:
gahhh, i feel like a noob :(
i had a printhead+cartrdiges lying in the cupboard - while they were
dried up, they still worked and the printer works great...now all i need
are the cartridges..
yeah, i was worried about the costs too. i think i'm a bit of an idiot -
but i love old technology :) a weakness of mine
cheers
Click to expand...

No not a weakness. Anything that keeps old kit working keeps it out of the
landfill and many of us enjoy the challenge of keeping it working.
And not an idiot, I have several Aussie friends, none of them are idiots!
;)
Tony
 
Tony said:
No not a weakness. Anything that keeps old kit working keeps it out of the
landfill and many of us enjoy the challenge of keeping it working.
And not an idiot, I have several Aussie friends, none of them are idiots!
;)
Tony
Click to expand...
oh, just another thing - is it possible for a print head to be damaged,
so that it only prints in magenta? that's whats happening now :P
i'm willing to head back out sometime this week and buy a new printhead,
just want to make sure it *is* the print head
thanks :)
 
David Fairbrother said:
oh, just another thing - is it possible for a print head to be damaged,
so that it only prints in magenta? that's whats happening now :P
i'm willing to head back out sometime this week and buy a new printhead,
just want to make sure it *is* the print head
thanks :)
Click to expand...

Yes it is definitely possible, is this the printhead that you had in the
cupboard? If so, it may have dried up, you could try to soak the nozzle of the
printhead in hot water for a few minutes. Make sure it is just the nozzle where
the ink emerges, don't rub it with your fingers or a cloth, just dab it dry. If
that does not improve things then a new printhead may be necessary.
Tony
 
oh, just another thing - is it possible for a print head to be damaged,
so that it only prints in magenta?
Click to expand...

Printheads are glorified lightbulbs. Well they are more complex than a
lightbulb but are prone to burnout just like a lightbulb. While
cleaning should be part of troubleshooting, keep in mind that the
lifespan of a given head is officaly somewhere between the 10th and
20th cartridge change on current generation printers. I don't have the
specs on the bjc-4200 though I presume you are using the thumble sized
bci-21 and bci-21C so that number could be 20 to 30 changes. If you've
printed that much... or more, head burnout is likely.
 
zakezuke said:
Printheads are glorified lightbulbs. Well they are more complex than a
lightbulb but are prone to burnout just like a lightbulb. While
cleaning should be part of troubleshooting, keep in mind that the
lifespan of a given head is officaly somewhere between the 10th and
20th cartridge change on current generation printers. I don't have the
specs on the bjc-4200 though I presume you are using the thumble sized
bci-21 and bci-21C so that number could be 20 to 30 changes. If you've
printed that much... or more, head burnout is likely.
Click to expand...
okay, i'll try that. glad to hear its possible - didnt want it to be a
problem with the printer itself :P
thanks alot
 
okay, i'll try that. glad to hear its possible - didnt want it to be a
problem with the printer itself :P
Click to expand...

I honestly don't know what your problem is, only that the printheads
have a limited life span and replacement is part of a canon's normal
operating procedure, esp the prior generations. The real problem is
their relative cost vs the cost of a new printer. A new printer will
resolve the issue of not printing. Cleaning may, a replacement
printhead should, but there is no assurance that it would, not without
either test equipment (Ohm meter and a diagram of the printhead i'd
imagine) or field replacements (replace part one, replace part two).

I'm all for keeping equipment in service, reducing waste, and generally
doing one's best to be good to the earth where ever possible. I would
consider a replacement printhead on my ip3000 though if I owned a
bjc-4200 and assuming there was not an option for a bc-02 or bc-20
cartridge... the cheap big honking only black with printhead onboard...
i'd seriously consider replacement. Simply put... if I recall
correctly the bjc-4200 takes those thimble sized cartridges which are
not very cost effective, and end up using much more in the way of
plastic per purchase. In my market, a replacement head would be 1/2
the cost of a current generation canon, but in a year or so when those
models hit close out prices... the price is likely to be 2/3s or equal,
and there is always e-bay... someone out there always willing to buy up
older printers for parts.

For further assistance, seek out the folk on
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/ . Lots of info regarding cleaning
procedures, refilling, and people who know more than I do. There is a
documented procedure involing toilet paper, windex/windolean(sp), and
pressing that should clear the head of ink if that is your issue.
 
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