HP DeskJet 720 question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sudy Nim
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Sudy Nim

I have a HP DeskJet 720c and 722c. I know, they are old! Both printers have
the same problem; the banner light is "on" and will not switch off.
Therefore, they will not print a Cut Sheet. I disassembled one unit and
apparently the banner switch is opened to turn the light on. I have to
assume the problem is further back at the initiating light source. Having no
schematic or operating unit to go by it is difficult to proceed any further
to find the problem. Anyone encounter this and have the fix? Thanks in
advance.
 
Is it really worth fixing? New printers are essentially free, in that
they sell, in many cases, for no more than the cost of the ink
cartridges that they come with. And whether you realize it or not,
newer printers really are a lot better then these 10-year old models.

[Are you SURE that the problem is not in the computer, and that you
don't have a "Banner" check-box checked somewhere in the driver? It's
almost inconceivable that two different printers would develop this same
defect at the same time.]
 
I am sure the Banner is not checked and Cut-Sheet is selected. Also, the
printers did not fail at the same time, there were a couple of years between
failures. No it is not worth fixing. I would like to get a new printer but
it's the supply of ink cartridges I have on hand that I sure would like to
use up rather then scrap before scraping the printers. I agree the printers
are cheap but those cartridges are expensive. Up until now one still worked
so I had no reason to buy a replacement. The strange part is that they both
had the same defect. I suspect it is a weak point in the design? I entered
the setup program and reset it to default, which is exactly the way it was
set. I also tried defeating the Bi-directional Communication which allowed
me to print but when the printing is complete the computer thinks it is
still printing and it locks up the computer. I have to do a hot boot to get
out of it. So I thought I would give posting my problem here in hopes that
someone would have a fix, before tossing out those good expensive ($)
cartridges.

Barry Watzman said:
Is it really worth fixing? New printers are essentially free, in that
they sell, in many cases, for no more than the cost of the ink
cartridges that they come with. And whether you realize it or not,
newer printers really are a lot better then these 10-year old models.

[Are you SURE that the problem is not in the computer, and that you
don't have a "Banner" check-box checked somewhere in the driver? It's
almost inconceivable that two different printers would develop this same
defect at the same time.]


Sudy said:
I have a HP DeskJet 720c and 722c. I know, they are old! Both printers have
the same problem; the banner light is "on" and will not switch off.
Therefore, they will not print a Cut Sheet. I disassembled one unit and
apparently the banner switch is opened to turn the light on. I have to
assume the problem is further back at the initiating light source. Having no
schematic or operating unit to go by it is difficult to proceed any further
to find the problem. Anyone encounter this and have the fix? Thanks in
advance.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I am sure the Banner is not checked and Cut-Sheet is selected. Also, the
printers did not fail at the same time, there were a couple of years between
failures. No it is not worth fixing. I would like to get a new printer but
it's the supply of ink cartridges I have on hand that I sure would like to
use up rather then scrap before scraping the printers. I agree the printers
are cheap but those cartridges are expensive. Up until now one still worked
so I had no reason to buy a replacement. The strange part is that they both
had the same defect. I suspect it is a weak point in the design? I entered
the setup program and reset it to default, which is exactly the way it was
set. I also tried defeating the Bi-directional Communication which allowed
me to print but when the printing is complete the computer thinks it is
still printing and it locks up the computer. I have to do a hot boot to get
out of it. So I thought I would give posting my problem here in hopes that
someone would have a fix, before tossing out those good expensive ($)
cartridges.
Click to expand...

Firstly, the #45 cartridge was a reasonably priced one floating at the
3c/3.5c per page. I'm not sure of the #23 as it was an older model.

Second, check out http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/search/center?q=720c
I would not assume failure first, but rather an indication of waste
ink being full.

If it was me, i'd hit craigslist for compatible models. Given the
value of the printer has, respectfully, falling to the $20/$30 range,
and given each cartridge's value is also in the $20/$30 range,
replacement. I know many people who are using printers in the same
class, and are perfectly happy.

New printers may be virtually free, but many of the cheaper models
cost more to use than a 720c, which was a reasonably priced printer to
operate.

Other HPs that use the #23 tri color.

Deskjet: 710C, 712C, 720C, 722C, 810C, 812C, 830C, 832C, 880C, 882C,
890Cse, 890Cxi, 895Cse, 895Cxi, 1120C, 1120Cse, 1120Cxi
Officejet: R40, R60, R80, T45, T45xi, T65, T65xi
Officejet Pro: 1170C, 1170Cse, 1170Cxi, 1175C, 1175Cse, 1175Cxi
PSC: 500, 500xi
 
zakezuke said:
Firstly, the #45 cartridge was a reasonably priced one floating at the
3c/3.5c per page. I'm not sure of the #23 as it was an older model.

Second, check out http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/search/center?q=720c
I would not assume failure first, but rather an indication of waste
ink being full.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input zakezuke, the (fixourownprinter) site might have an
answer. Also I keep the spittoon clean so I don't think that is the problem?
If it was me, i'd hit craigslist for compatible models. Given the
value of the printer has, respectfully, falling to the $20/$30 range,
and given each cartridge's value is also in the $20/$30 range,
replacement. I know many people who are using printers in the same
class, and are perfectly happy.
Click to expand...

I forgot about craigslist but I have been searching eBay for a compatible
printer without success yet. BTW I was only looking at DeskJet your list
below will expand my search.
 
Thank you measekite for your suggestion, I appreciate any and all helpful
solutions or advice. Sudy Nim
 
If selecting a printer for low cost of operation, I'd go with a printer
using the "50" series cartridges (56, 57, 58, 59). This is fairly late
model and you will get really good print, and the cost of operation is
relatively low. But you can drive it down near zero, because these
cartridges are easily refillable almost without limit.
 
Thanks for the input zakezuke, the (fixourownprinter) site might have an
answer. Also I keep the spittoon clean so I don't think that is the problem?
Click to expand...

While I have owned HPs from that era, I have to say it's been at least
7 years since I had a basic printer in the same class as what you
have, and even then.. it hit mechanical failure before the spittoon
became an issue. That being said, most printers have a waste counter
to indicate a full diaper.
 
Sudy said:
I am sure the Banner is not checked and Cut-Sheet is selected. Also, the
printers did not fail at the same time, there were a couple of years between
failures. No it is not worth fixing.
Click to expand...

I'm assuming it's an optical switch (optocoupler). Diodes are
deteriorating and that's probably it.
Just find another optocoupler (there should be name printed on it
somewhere) and it'll last for another 10 years. No point in throwing
away a good and cheap printer.
 
Jerry1111 said:
I'm assuming it's an optical switch (optocoupler). Diodes are
deteriorating and that's probably it.
Just find another optocoupler (there should be name printed on it
somewhere) and it'll last for another 10 years. No point in throwing
away a good and cheap printer.
Click to expand...

After looking at the cable from the switch to the circuit board it seemed
apparent that the driven end was some sort of light source that operated the
banner - cut paper, options. The lever in the normal position (down) opens a
mechanical switch disconnecting the power to the banner light and to
whatever is controlling this function on, or through that PCB. Now, to find
an optocoupler. Thank you Jerry1111 your reply is like a breath of fresh
air. I'm of the "depression era" and it is not my nature to discard
something if it can be repaired. Just because we are old (the printer & I)
it doesn't necessarily make us useless.
 
Sudy said:
an optocoupler. Thank you Jerry1111 your reply is like a breath of fresh
air. I'm of the "depression era" and it is not my nature to discard
something if it can be repaired. Just because we are old (the printer & I)
it doesn't necessarily make us useless.
Click to expand...

;-)

Try to make a photo of the part in question. I can try at least to
locate a place where you can buy it.
Remove 'abctiredofspamabc' from my email.
 
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