Printers guzzles ink

  • Thread starter Thread starter Walter E.
  • Start date Start date
W

Walter E.

I used to have an old HP 710c with the 45 cartridge. It finally gave up its
ghost and I bought an Epson CX 5200 (All in one).

I never use color and have the printer set for "Black Ink Only".

I bought it two weeks ago. During the last two weeks I was perplexed to see
the ink indicator showing that the ink in my color cartridges was declining
slowly but steadily, although I was not using color.

An inquiry at Epson revealed that the printer goes through a cleaning cycle
that uses the black and the color inks.

This is preposterous! I know I am using some black ink, but where does all
my color ink go? I looked under the unit but at least it is not dripping
out.

Are all printers like that now? They use ink for cleaning themselves,
instead of for printing?

How can I get around this.
 
something
.......and in reply I say!:

It's the way that Epson, at least, have gone and IMO it sucks! The
other trap is that if you don't use the printer much and don't use the
colour to get black, as you have set it, the colour cartridge may
block.

Add to this that I have been told that the indicators are not always
accurate. But when that indicator shows empty, you cannot use the
printer. So when your colour cartridge runs out, according to the
sensors, accurate or not and whether you ever need colour, you have to
buy a new cartridge and start all over again. I reckon we all have
"LOSER" stamped on our foreheads!

I am still looking at refilling, as I have had many, many, vastly
different stories from "Yep, it's easy" to "Nope. It can futz your
printer".......... shrug!

Replies to my enquiries so far have indicated that you can _minimise_
this trouble.

Whether these are urban myths I am not able to comment.

- buy a Canon <G>

- Leave the printer off when not in use. This apparently parks the
heads and reduces the need to clean. Parking also helps to prevent
blockage. Trouble is AFAICS, On and Off both cause a cleaning cycle!

- print more than one page at a session. Avoid short prints (I know I
know! Slave to the bloody machine!)

- the first cartridge falls more than the next ones. AFAICS this _is_
a myth. I have seen two black cartridges disappear, and the third well
on the way and I have hardly printed anything.
I used to have an old HP 710c with the 45 cartridge. It finally gave up its
ghost and I bought an Epson CX 5200 (All in one).

I never use color and have the printer set for "Black Ink Only".

I bought it two weeks ago. During the last two weeks I was perplexed to see
the ink indicator showing that the ink in my color cartridges was declining
slowly but steadily, although I was not using color.

An inquiry at Epson revealed that the printer goes through a cleaning cycle
that uses the black and the color inks.

This is preposterous! I know I am using some black ink, but where does all
my color ink go? I looked under the unit but at least it is not dripping
out.

Are all printers like that now? They use ink for cleaning themselves,
instead of for printing?

How can I get around this.
Click to expand...

******************************************************************************************
Whenever you have to prove to yourself that you are
not something, you probably are.

Nick White --- HEAD:Hertz Music

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

!!
<")
_/ )
( )
_//- \__/
 
Hi, Old Nick

Thanks for the input. This is quite a revelation. Life is getting too
complex.

You say that the printer will stop when the color cartridges are empty. You
mean I have to keep feeding color cartridges into this printer although I do
not use color?

Is there any workaround?

Are there any printers that do not devour cartridges? Maybe I should switch
to a laser printer.
 
You say that the printer will stop when the color cartridges are empty. You
mean I have to keep feeding color cartridges into this printer although I do
not use color?

Is there any workaround?

Are there any printers that do not devour cartridges? Maybe I should switch
to a laser printer.
Click to expand...

You could get a printer such as the DeskJet 5650 or similar that can print
without a color cartridge installed. None of the HP DeskJet printers will stop
printing if the color cartridge is out, and many of the recent models can work
without having both cartridges installed - they can print with a black
cartridge only, a color cartridge only or both. If you never print in color
and you do a lot of printing a laser might be a better choice.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP
 
Bob,
I've been searching for a solution to my own ink guzzling problems with a
1280. I posted an enquiry here the same day as you (Too many Epson cleaning
cycles). I just came across a Russian site http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml
that has a freeware program that will allow you to do what you want.

From their site:
SSC Service Utility allow You to do many amazing things with Your Epson
printer :

1) Work directly with CSIC in Epson Stylus printers cartridges.
2) Freeze internal ink counters.
3) Reset internal ink counters even with empty cartridges.
4) Separate cleaning of color and black heads for all Epson inkjet printers,
powerful cleaning mode.
5) Hot swapping of cartridges supported.
6) Resetting of protection counter (even then it is already full).
7) More then 60 different Epson printers supported

I haven't used it yet so I can't endorse it. Has anyone reading this used
this program? Comments?

I also came across this today if you're interested:
Epson Faces Consumer Suits
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article/0,aid,113112,00.asp
 
Walter,
A lasar printer might be your best choice. If you don't need a
color printer, than I would say go for it. The toner cartridges are a bit
expensive, but they last a lot longer then a little black ink cartridge
would. At work, when our lasar displays a message saying toner low, we pull
the cartridge out, shake it back and forth a few times and we're good to go
for a little while longer.
 
Your first set of cartridges is no indication of ink usage. The first set
go down quicker because ink is used to prime the system. Don't give up on
the printer yet.
 
Your first set of cartridges is no indication of ink usage. The first set
go down quicker because ink is used to prime the system. Don't give up on
the printer yet.
Click to expand...

IME, the second and third sets were not much better....they still
disappeared at an alarming rate.
******************************************************************************************
Whenever you have to prove to yourself that you are
not something, you probably are.

Nick White --- HEAD:Hertz Music

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

!!
<")
_/ )
( )
_//- \__/
 
something
.......and in reply I say!:

I do not know about laser printers. The buggers will get to them next
<G>

I believe they are cheaper per page.

There are a few replies about workarounds.

Ironically, I came across to Epson because I was so PO'd with HP
printers, with page feed and driver troubles.

Someone suggested I should try a Canon :-< Seriously, I was told that
Canon have printers that allow two BW carts in place of the BW/colour,
and tnat a lot of people are using these if they do not use colour.
Haha! the dingus to sore the excess colour cartridge cost extra! <G?>

I may use a cannon on my epson <G.
Hi, Old Nick

Thanks for the input. This is quite a revelation. Life is getting too
complex.

You say that the printer will stop when the color cartridges are empty. You
mean I have to keep feeding color cartridges into this printer although I do
not use color?

Is there any workaround?

Are there any printers that do not devour cartridges? Maybe I should switch
to a laser printer.
Click to expand...

******************************************************************************************
Whenever you have to prove to yourself that you are
not something, you probably are.

Nick White --- HEAD:Hertz Music

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

!!
<")
_/ )
( )
_//- \__/
 
I had an Epson 900 and found that the color graph showing remaining ink is
going
by time the printer is turned on. There is
no "measuring" of remaining ink. I also
found that if you take out the cartridge and
reintall it the graphs all reset to "full' and
there is still a lot of ink left. Also, refilled
for 3 years with no problems. The new
Epsons have an eprom in the cartridge adn
you have to buy a 'gimmick" to reset the
eprom to refill them. I think it cost about
$22.00. Good luck.
 
Susan said:
My HP Deskjet 6122 will not print with the color cartridge out.
Click to expand...

Sorry about the ambiguity. I meant that no DeskJet will fail to print just
because the cartridge is out of ink. For the DeskJet 6XXX, most 6XX, 7XX, most
8XX and 9XX printers both cartridges must be installed in the printer.

The DeskJet 5550 and most (all?) printers based on the #56 or #57 cartridges
will print with only one cartridge in "reserve mode"; in these printers it is
not necessary to have all the cartridges installed.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP
 
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