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Epson R1800 - changing inks and clogging questions

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:46 am
by Hlop
Hi,

I don't want to steal mic's R1800 tread, so, created new one

As recently discussed, I've got a set of Piezography K7 inks for Black and White printing and they are brilliant but I'm going to finish my B&W album pretty soon and that will be time to change cartridges to the native Epson colour inks. AFAIK, Epson "sucks" fair amount of inks to the head and if I'll change cartridges, initially it will be spraying out old inks from the previous set (B&W in my case!). I've heard some gossips about "flushing" inks from the head but don't know how it should be done properly. Any suggestions?

Second question. Sometimes I don't print anything for a month or two. Famous Epson's head clogging and drying problem - has it been fixed? Or shall I still print something at least once per week? How do you keep your nice R1800s away from such problems?

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 12:17 pm
by smac
Mikhail,

Some good advice can be found at the following site:

http://www.colorbat.com/clearingnozzles.htm

Stuart

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 1:09 pm
by Matt. K
Mikhail
I have read somewhere that flushing windex through the heads will clean them out when you change back to colour. Otherwise it's going to cost you a fortune. You can prevent clogging by not leaving the printer turned on for long periods of time unless it is printing. Apparently, when you turn the printer off the head is parked and the jets are sealed to prevent drying. Use your printer at least once every month. Avoid cheap paper. It can flake and clog your heads. Pro printers brush each sheet with a soft brush before feeding it through to remove dust and other particles.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:06 pm
by Hlop
Thanks for your help, guys!

Matt, please forgive my ignorance - what "windex" is?

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:20 pm
by NikonUser
Hlop wrote:Thanks for your help, guys!

Matt, please forgive my ignorance - what "windex" is?


Windex is a type (brand?) of window cleaner

Paul

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:29 pm
by Hlop
NikonUser wrote:
Windex is a type (brand?) of window cleaner

Paul


Wow! :shock: I'm sure I don't want to put something like this to my brand new R1800 :shock: :shock: :shock:

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:47 pm
by big pix
lots of info here on Epsons........

http://www.inkjetart.com/forum/index.php

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:26 pm
by gstark
NikonUser wrote:
Hlop wrote:Thanks for your help, guys!

Matt, please forgive my ignorance - what "windex" is?


Windex is a type (brand?) of window cleaner

Paul


Mikhail,

Grab a copy of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" from the video store. All will become clear.

Pun intended. :)

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:46 pm
by NikonUser
gstark wrote:
NikonUser wrote:
Hlop wrote:Thanks for your help, guys!

Matt, please forgive my ignorance - what "windex" is?


Windex is a type (brand?) of window cleaner

Paul


Mikhail,

Grab a copy of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" from the video store. All will become clear.

Pun intended. :)


THAT MOVIE IS NOT FUNNY.... IT'S MY LIFE!!! :roll:

:) :)

Paul

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:15 pm
by joet
I have to second NikonUser .... I've been living that bloody Greek Wedding for over 44 years :violin: :agree:

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:22 pm
by antman
NikonUser wrote:THAT MOVIE IS NOT FUNNY.... IT'S MY LIFE!!! :roll:

:) :)

Paul


Are you a single 30 something greek chic ?

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:26 pm
by NikonUser
antman wrote:
NikonUser wrote:THAT MOVIE IS NOT FUNNY.... IT'S MY LIFE!!! :roll:

:) :)

Paul


Are you a single 30 something greek chic ?


:) Just after I hit the submit button I realised I was going to get a reply like that :)

As for the cleaning:

I've also read heaps (but never had to use) about using Windex or hot water. Apparently there are several differnt types of cleaing methods (some that can use up to 40% of an ink tank apparently) available to the higher end printers. Dunno if the R1800 has these...

PostPosted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:49 am
by Hlop
OK. Despite all the puns and jokes .... :D :D :D

... everything went much smother than I expected. Removed NK7 cartridges, installed UltraChrome ones, one cycle of head cleaning, printed a test pattern, printed a test photo - everything is just fine :)

PostPosted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:59 pm
by Matt. K
Mikhail
That's excellent news! Shows how thorough the Epson cleaning cycle works! Also....the window cleaner is mostly water with a touch of metho and can be safely used to 'clean' inkjets'. It is also safe to use for cleaning a dirty printer by spraying a sheet of A4 paper and feeding it through. It gets ink off the rollers.

PostPosted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:11 pm
by DaveB
Matt. K wrote:the window cleaner is mostly water with a touch of metho and can be safely used to 'clean' inkjets'. It is also safe to use for cleaning a dirty printer by spraying a sheet of A4 paper and feeding it through. It gets ink off the rollers.

Be aware that cleaners with ammonia are NOT recommended for this sort of use. The corrosion will catch up with you sooner or later...