Reset printer cartridge?

[rbeach84]

Well, it has happened - I was trying to get all the OEM print cartridges 'burned down' before installing a CISS, but now I have a clogged nozzle on the black that I can't seem to get the clean cycle to fix, and before I could get too far, the cartridges have all started giving out. I was hoping someone has an idea of how to manually reset the cartridges so I can use the remaining 5% of the ink to keep cleaning this bugger.

Any thoughts from our printer gurus?

Specifics: EPSON 1400 printer; wife had unseated the black cartridge trying to "solve" some printing problem she was having, which allowed a bunch of ink to "smear" across the paper as it printed (I'm surprised it worked in such a condition.) After I reseated it, it still smeared a bit but that cleared up but *then* started skipping sectors (aka 'lines') of printing. Swapped the black cartridge for a new one, but the clean & nozzle checks continues to show missing lines.

Appreciate any help or guidance.

[Zathros]

The printer has to be cleaned. The EPSON cleaning cycle tries to do this with "Ink", which is wasteful, and most of the time done not work. If you can get a Hobby syringe, and use very warm water in the syringe, with a hose that will allow you to fit snugly over the nipple that pierces the cartridge, inject the water into the nozzle, then, pull back. Empty, and do for all of the nipples. Do not mix colors on the nozzles. Make sure everything is clean. EPSON cartridges do not measure ink but calculate through cycles whether in the cartridge is full or not. Very wasteful. get ink from ink refill kit, continuous ink supply system, cis ink, refillable cartridges, epson refillable cartridges, hp refillable cartridges, canon refillable cartridges, canon chip resetter. Get the "Refill Station", and call them and tell them you wish pigment ink. For $100 dollars, you should have enough ink for a year worth of massive printing. it also comes with a cleaning kit, and free shipping. if you have purchased your CISS, well, then follow the first cleaning instructions. The Ink from Ink.Products.com is the same EXACT ink that EPSON uses. I am not at liberty to tell you how or why I know that and how come I know that is true. They send you 2 sets of cartridges, they come pre-filled, when one empties, you pull it out, put in the full one, and fill the empty one at your leisure. My system works perfectly. As my NX420 used the same cartridges, I was able to run 2 printers using the one kit. CISS systems can develope algae, and other problems that I deermined would just be another system to maintain. The Ink Refill Station is the best deal going.

[Darwin]

Robert, I purchased the cleaning kit from this vendor (Zathros, thanks for posting it back then...you are definitely the Epson go-to guy). It is the greatest thing since sliced bread....helped me restore a couple of printers that I picked up from the thrift store many years ago, and only recently decided it was time to play with them.

[rbeach84]

Thanks, Zathros & Darwin for the info. I've done further research on how the printer works and so the idea of pushing a cleaning solution through the feed 'nipple' seems obvious now. Just to clarify, the syringe plunger is first pushed and then 'pulled' back to create a suction back through the PZ grid? I've ordered a CISS from CISInks plus a set of the refillable cartridges from Inkproducts.com since they are cheaper than buying OEM cartridges. I am still hoping to try the 'volumetric' cleaning trick using a single color print job of a page full of text. Got nothing to lose now that I've paid for two OEM cartridges already! If that doesn't work, then I'll use the 'flush' method you've advised.

Only goes to show, my original 'feeling' back in 1981 about computers was correct - they are a pain in the buttocks! If it wasn't for the "nerd porn" (as my daughter calls my modeling interests on the internet) I'd probably give 'em up for watercolor painting.

Wish me good luck!

[Zathros]

I had an extra syringe and actually took my printer apart and sucked out all of the old ink out of the sponge. I put in some hot water, the sucked it back on and got the sponge clean. i took some high quality Q-tips and cleaned the whole unit inside, the rollers etc, then ran paper through it to pickup any stray link spots or watered down ink spots. The printer came back and works fine. You have to print something, anything at least once a week, or the ink dries on the nipples and clogs.

[spaceagent-9]

all i know is that if you freeze the ink cartridges and then let them thaw out at room temp, they will work for a few more prints.
jim

[Zathros]

Originally Posted by spaceagent-9

all i know is that if you freeze the ink cartridges and then let them thaw out at room temp, they will work for a few more prints.
jim

Wow, I have no idea what that would do, I have never heard that before either?

[rbeach84]

Spaceagent-9, you're not "pranking" are you?

[Zathros]

It might "reset" the chip, cold can have that effect on a poorly designed circuit. It is a possibility. never thought about it. I don't know how that might affect the ink, but then again, I don't think the stuff is shipped in temperature controlled environments. I just don't know about that, but if the cartridge is heading for the garbage, why not give it a shot?!?

[spaceagent-9]

i have a bunch in the freezer that didnt een print out a light smear of a letter, so i will pull one of them out nad let you know tomorrow if it worked.
jim