Epson 880 printheads Q

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lou
  • Start date Start date
L

Lou

Hello

Have an 880 that has not been used for 4 months when it gave out of ink
message.
What, if anything, do I need to do or worry about before putting in new
cartridge(s)? Damn cartridge is expensive enough to not want to waste
it.
FWIW Cartridge is from Staples. Its color.

TIA

Lou
 
I am assuming you left the old cartridge in the printer until you
finally replaced it, yes?

That would have been a good maneuver, anyway.

Still, with little ink left, the ink has probably become a bit
thickened, and maybe even dried out.

I would do the following.


Since the 880 uses unchipped, sponged cartridges, they are easy to both
refill and reuse, and the printer will not know if you have returned the
old cartridge or not. I would remove the old cartridge, maybe even both
the color and black, take an eyedropper and drop a few drops of
ammoniated window cleaner on the tips of the ink nipples (the spikes
that puncture the cartridge outlet when you install a new one). Then
also put a few eyedropper fulls of the same liquid into each cartridge
outlet. Then return the cartridge and have the printer do a purge and
cleaning process. Then do a nozzle test and see if the cartridge are
producing a good nozzle test. If not, run up to 3-4 cleaning cycles.
If you still do not get a good nozzle test, (do one between each
cleaning cycle), then email me for the free Epson Cleaning manual, per
the address below and read and run the cleaning it suggests. If your
cleaning works and the nozzle test is good, go to page 26 of the manual
"Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge" and follow the procedure for the
color ink cartridge, installing the new one. Hopefully, that will
result in getting the new cartridge going and that should be that.

One warning... removing the black cartridge and reinstalling it will
reset the ink monitor to recognizing the black cartridge as full, even
though it is not, and therefore it will run low before the printer
informs you of that. So, just be aware that it will likely run out
prior to getting a warning. If it does, just replace it using the same
procedure as I mention for the color, (a few drops on the ink nipple
etc) to help prevent a air lock in the head when you install the new
cartridge.

Art
 
The obvious is that you will have dried ink giving a head clog. The clog
may have formed inside or outside. Let me add though that the 880 is one of
the easiest Epsons to clear when there is a clog because of the dye based
inks that are used and the 880 is one of the best all around printers Epson
ever produced.
Here's what I would do if I were in your situation. Turn the printer on.
You will probably have a solid red light glowing if the ink has run out.
Push the paper infeed button for about 3 seconds until the head starts
moving to the left where it will stop.
On the rt side you will see a sponge (the docking station). You will want to
moisten this sponge with an ammoniated mixture to get it wet. The best
liquid is Windex (original mixture), as it has ammonia in it. You could also
get ammonia and mix it about 10 - 20% in water. Apply maybe 10 to 20 drops
of it with an eye dropper. In rash emergencies I've used alcohol, but the
ammonia is a better solvent.
When this is done press the infeed button again for another 3 seconds. The
head will return to the dock. Turn the printer off for a couple of hours.
After time is up turn on the printer and push the infeed paper button
again for 3 sec to move the head to the left. Install the new cartridge
after removing the tape on it. Push the paper infeed button again. The
printer will go through a head cleaning cycle.
Use the software to go to the printer utility and check that it is
showing there is a new cartridge. Run a nozzle check. If you get a complete
pattern then you're done. If not use the utility to do a head cleaning. Do
another nozzle check. If the pattern is still not solid through all the jets
do another clean.
Use the pattern I've described above (nozzle check-clean-nozzle
check-clean, etc) because Epson's routine is that every third clean will
provide a higher suction pressure to pull ink through the nozzles to clear
them.
Hopefully if the nozzle pattern is solid by the third or fourth cleaning
cycle you'll be done. If not then let the printer sit for a few hours turned
off and then try a nozzle check again. Eventually it should clear and be
solid. If not there are stronger steps to take such as a cleaning cartridge
and other things such as infusion (avoid this if at all possible as it's a
delicate process to push ammonia through the ink orifices where too much
pressure could blow out the print head membrane).
Also be aware that Epson recommends changing cartridges every six months
whether used up or not because carrier liquid in the ink tends to oxidize
and thicken, causing the possibilty of a head clog. I would change the black
as well.

Good luck with your 880,
 
Thank you for the detailed reply!

Lou

Arthur said:
I am assuming you left the old cartridge in the printer until you
finally replaced it, yes?

That would have been a good maneuver, anyway.

Still, with little ink left, the ink has probably become a bit
thickened, and maybe even dried out.

I would do the following.

Since the 880 uses unchipped, sponged cartridges, they are easy to both
refill and reuse, and the printer will not know if you have returned the
old cartridge or not. I would remove the old cartridge, maybe even both
the color and black, take an eyedropper and drop a few drops of
ammoniated window cleaner on the tips of the ink nipples (the spikes
that puncture the cartridge outlet when you install a new one). Then
also put a few eyedropper fulls of the same liquid into each cartridge
outlet. Then return the cartridge and have the printer do a purge and
cleaning process. Then do a nozzle test and see if the cartridge are
producing a good nozzle test. If not, run up to 3-4 cleaning cycles.
If you still do not get a good nozzle test, (do one between each
cleaning cycle), then email me for the free Epson Cleaning manual, per
the address below and read and run the cleaning it suggests. If your
cleaning works and the nozzle test is good, go to page 26 of the manual
"Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge" and follow the procedure for the
color ink cartridge, installing the new one. Hopefully, that will
result in getting the new cartridge going and that should be that.

One warning... removing the black cartridge and reinstalling it will
reset the ink monitor to recognizing the black cartridge as full, even
though it is not, and therefore it will run low before the printer
informs you of that. So, just be aware that it will likely run out
prior to getting a warning. If it does, just replace it using the same
procedure as I mention for the color, (a few drops on the ink nipple
etc) to help prevent a air lock in the head when you install the new
cartridge.

Art
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for the detailed reply!

Lou

Jan said:
The obvious is that you will have dried ink giving a head clog. The clog
may have formed inside or outside. Let me add though that the 880 is one of
the easiest Epsons to clear when there is a clog because of the dye based
inks that are used and the 880 is one of the best all around printers Epson
ever produced.
Here's what I would do if I were in your situation. Turn the printer on.
You will probably have a solid red light glowing if the ink has run out.
Push the paper infeed button for about 3 seconds until the head starts
moving to the left where it will stop.
On the rt side you will see a sponge (the docking station). You will want to
moisten this sponge with an ammoniated mixture to get it wet. The best
liquid is Windex (original mixture), as it has ammonia in it. You could also
get ammonia and mix it about 10 - 20% in water. Apply maybe 10 to 20 drops
of it with an eye dropper. In rash emergencies I've used alcohol, but the
ammonia is a better solvent.
When this is done press the infeed button again for another 3 seconds. The
head will return to the dock. Turn the printer off for a couple of hours.
After time is up turn on the printer and push the infeed paper button
again for 3 sec to move the head to the left. Install the new cartridge
after removing the tape on it. Push the paper infeed button again. The
printer will go through a head cleaning cycle.
Use the software to go to the printer utility and check that it is
showing there is a new cartridge. Run a nozzle check. If you get a complete
pattern then you're done. If not use the utility to do a head cleaning. Do
another nozzle check. If the pattern is still not solid through all the jets
do another clean.
Use the pattern I've described above (nozzle check-clean-nozzle
check-clean, etc) because Epson's routine is that every third clean will
provide a higher suction pressure to pull ink through the nozzles to clear
them.
Hopefully if the nozzle pattern is solid by the third or fourth cleaning
cycle you'll be done. If not then let the printer sit for a few hours turned
off and then try a nozzle check again. Eventually it should clear and be
solid. If not there are stronger steps to take such as a cleaning cartridge
and other things such as infusion (avoid this if at all possible as it's a
delicate process to push ammonia through the ink orifices where too much
pressure could blow out the print head membrane).
Also be aware that Epson recommends changing cartridges every six months
whether used up or not because carrier liquid in the ink tends to oxidize
and thicken, causing the possibilty of a head clog. I would change the black
as well.

Good luck with your 880,

--
Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us
Click to expand...
 
You are welcome. I believe I neglected to provide you with my email
address should you require a copy of the Epson Cleaning Manual.

Here is my address:

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

Art
 
Back
Top