replacement bulb for HP 4C (IIcx, 3C, 6100C as well)

  • Thread starter Thread starter esantoro
  • Start date Start date
E

esantoro

After being very disappointed with the commercial scanner offering of
the past 4 years, I've decided to start stocking up on used HP 4C
scanners. Six used scanners will cost less than one decent scanner
today.

The only real problem I can see occurring is the need to replace the
lamp. This is an HP proprietary job. Newsgroup posts report HP
asking over $250 plus shipping to replace a light bulb. Ha, ha, I'm
now in this for the shear satisfaction of not giving HP what it wants,
$350 for a 7400C.

I did my homework. I scoured the web for information. Then bought a
used IIcx for $8 to take apart and inspect.

Hats of to HP for making a machine that anybody could repair.
Regardless of what HP tells you, I believe this lamp is user
replaceable. There is enough room in the lamp housing to rig an 8W T5
lamp. Hp even used simply silicon glue, in part, to secure its
proprietary lamp. More kudos to HP for making the lamp assembly wider
than the scanable area, to compensate for darker ends of the
fluorescent lamp as it ages.

The problem. HP's lamp is very bright. It appears that the bulb's
tubing is not coated completely. A quarter of the bulb's glass
(lengthwise) is clear. This section is rotated so that it partially
faced the scanning bed to reflect light from the bed to be picked up
by the scanners internal mirrors and lens.



*****Taking apart the IIcx was highly educational. If I don't
have future use for it I be able to sell off individual
parts -- mirrors, lens, motor, belt -- for much more than I paid for
the used machine.



The wiring assembly is straight forward and it would be easy to
duplicate. What about the bulb? I'm making only an educated guess
that it's 8W. I could put a meter to the socket to be more sure. The
real problem will be finding a bulb that is bright enough. I think a
T5 lamp rated 94 CRI or higher should be adequate, as I think it will
be impossible to find a lamp that is only partially coated. This
would result in a lamp less bright than HP's proprietary lamp, but I
think the scanners software should be able to compensate. I have also
read that HP's Precision Scan Pro software for the 6100c to 6300c can
be used with the 4C. This may help.

My next step, once I have found the lamp, is to set up the lamp
assembly, install it, stand back and fire up the scanner........from a
safe distance. If the lamp doesn't burst....VICTORY!!!!!

I've checked all over the Internet. No one seems to have attempted
this feat. One woman was about to but then caved in and bought a
replacement scanner.

Anyone have any recommendations for a replacement lamp? I've seen the
site for the E3 and E6 lamps. That will be my first choice, but I
really think I should find a lamp with a higher CRI rating, 94+.


If anyone knows of someone who has already either failed or succeeded
in this project, please stop me from reinventing the wheel. If we can
have robots drill the surface of Mars, surely we can replace a light
bulb.

I'll keep you all posted, as long as I survive the final step.


ES
 
I am eager to hear about your outcome. I myself have a 4C and I think it
must be one of the best scanners ever. The problem is it started to have
increasing problems of communications - i.e. "Sorry, your scanner cannot be
found". I checked the cable, bought a new one, got a new SCSI 2904 card (I'd
been using one since last July and the Scanner was way faster than with its
original card), but even with the computer off, when I turned on the
scanner, it took a very long time to initialize (until the light went off).
Now it won't initialize properly. There must be some kind of circuit there.
The lamp and mechanics are in perfect working order, however. So, any ideas?
 
I am eager to hear about your outcome. I myself have a 4C and I think it
must be one of the best scanners ever. The problem is it started to have
increasing problems of communications - i.e. "Sorry, your scanner cannot be
found". I checked the cable, bought a new one, got a new SCSI 2904 card (I'd
been using one since last July and the Scanner was way faster than with its
original card), but even with the computer off, when I turned on the
scanner, it took a very long time to initialize (until the light went off).
Now it won't initialize properly. There must be some kind of circuit there.
The lamp and mechanics are in perfect working order, however. So, any ideas?
Click to expand...

Dunno if it might be any help, but www.printerworks.com was for a long
time selling HP SCSI scanners and parts. Although they don't advertise
this now on their site, they used to have all kinds of schematics and
whatnot there. As late as about a year ago, they were also selling refurb
IIcx's and 4C's and whatnot through EggHead online. Might be they can
help.

And btw, I still have TWO HP IIcx's online.
One has been used on Win 3.1, 95, 98SE, and I'll probably use it with my
next box on XP as well!

I also have yet a third one, that I bought as a backup, in the closet.
Best I remember I bought it through EggHead as per above about 2 years
ago. Since I can't seem to wear out my exisiting two (just have to clean
the mirrors once in a great while), I'll sell it for $100 is anyone wants
it.
 
Mac, you are a prince.

www.printerworks.com has a wide selection of parts for the IIc to
6300c. They also have reasonable prices.

For example, two years ago HP wanted $250 to replace a light bulb.
What they probably did I can gather from www.printerworks.com. They
probably replaced the read-head assembly, which includes the bulb.
www.printerworks.com sells this part for $69, less if a refurbished
one is available.

Now I only wish they had something for my Panasonic KX-P6500. I will
email them and see.

Thanks, once again, Mac, you have saved me hours and hours of further
searching.


Best regards,

Edward
 
JP,

I remember reading about some fix for a similar initialization
problem, wjhile researching my situation. It seemed to work for some
people. I think the fix might be posted on HP's website.

Certainly you can find something on this in archived newsgroup
messages.


ES
 
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