Photosmart Pro b9180 Vs Epson L1800

[martin0reg]

Nobody out there using one of these printers, b9180 or b8850 ?!

I need help to repair a probable hardware issue:
my b9180 seems to ignore the loaded paper, moving it through the feed (from the lower main paper tray through the back side up to the print path) and then out of the printer - without printing. No matter if I run a print job or let print a nozzzle check by the printer itself, no printing, only the message "out of paper", after it has actually picked a sheet and pushed it through and out.
I think it is due to the paper sensors between the paper feed rollers in the back, there are two which I can see. Although I could dismantle the housing I don't know how to dismount these sensors in order to inspect or repair or replace them.

My B8850 is running smooth, very good output, high quality OEM inks, easy to refill (wiith same vivera ink out of bigger carts, into the printer's OEM carts, you just have to unplug the original fill hole ... or use refill cartridges) and with some really nice features: MK/PK are simultanously used without switching, very good B&W output, daily self maintenance keeps the printer ready for printing without clogging, etc...

It would be a pity to dump the B9180, which seems to be in good condition..except for printing.

 

[Samo]

Nobody out there using one of these printers, b9180 or b8850 ?!

I need help to repair a probable hardware issue:
my b9180 seems to ignore the loaded paper, moving it through the feed (from the lower main paper tray through the back side up to the print path) and then out of the printer - without printing. No matter if I run a print job or let print a nozzzle check by the printer itself, no printing, only the message "out of paper", after it has actually picked a sheet and pushed it through and out.
I think it is due to the paper sensors between the paper feed rollers in the back, there are two which I can see. Although I could dismantle the housing I don't know how to dismount these sensors in order to inspect or repair or replace them.

My B8850 is running smooth, very good output, high quality OEM inks, easy to refill (wiith same vivera ink out of bigger carts, into the printer's OEM carts, you just have to unplug the original fill hole ... or use refill cartridges) and with some really nice features: MK/PK are simultanously used without switching, very good B&W output, daily self maintenance keeps the printer ready for printing without clogging, etc...

It would be a pity to dump the B9180, which seems to be in good condition..except for printing.

Hi, if you still have this printer, try this workaround:

https://web.archive.org/web/2010121...nconsult/a_partial_fix_for_your_hp_b9180_.htm

It is very old guide, the original webpage does not exist, so it is without pictures.

 

[martin0reg]

Hi Samo! (your forum name reminds me of famous Jean-Michel B ... should it?=

I still have both, but standing idle for more than a year, don't know if they could be re-animated at all-

The idea to bypass the sensor seems to be a good one, thank you for the link
Sadly I see no photos. Do you have an original ilustraded version of this site?

 

[Samo]

Hi Martin, Samo is my real name

Sorry for the delay, but I did not have access to the printer during the week.

I do not have an illustrated version, I found this link a couple of weeks ago when I tried to solve a similar problem. But I was able to find out which cables are mentioned in the guide, so I made some photos for you, see below.

At first, remove the printer cover on the right (the side where the head is parked). You will gain access to necessary cables. I marked the cables from the rear sensor (green wire) and the front sensor (blue wire).

When the printer is turned on, connect the voltmeter according to the diagram. It should measure about 3.3 volts when there is no paper present in the printer. Then press the sensor with a piece of paper and the voltage should drop (0.14 V in my case). Repeat the same procedure for both sensors. They are easily accessible even without dismantling the printer. They are in the paper path on the right side (looking at the front, see pictures). The front sensor is accessible directly, the rear one after removing the back cover of the paper path. If the voltage does not drop, the sensor is probably wrong and you should follow the instructions in my first post.

 

[stratman]

I made some photos for you

Well done, Samo!

 

[martin0reg]

@Samo
thank you for your further investigation, this makes me really curious if the bypass would cure my b9180... but to "start the engine" there is more to be done: fill the carts, reset the chips, install the really bad HP drivers and software ...

BTW - I was suspecting the rear sensor of causing the trouble -
- but there is one more sensor at the left side of the back. It is like a "fork" where the border of paper runs through, probably acting as a light barrier. Here is an image: https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=114989.0 (first post)

Here is the image, just to be sure:

 

[Samo]

You can skip all the steps mentioned above (fill the carts, reset the chips, install the really bad HP drivers and software…). Just connect the printer to the power, turn it on, open the top cover and the ink compartment cover (this step will bypass all the initial checks) and then measure voltage of the rear and the front sensor (3.3 V – paper not present, approx. 0.1 V – paper present).

We are interested in the sensor no. 2 from your picture and the "front sensor" from my picture.

 

[martin0reg]

Are you sure, that the defective Sensor will show up without the printer being ready to print. only plugged in?
And the sensor I will have to activate "manually", by turning the lever down with a stiff paper, right?

But I don't know when I will do it, because the b9180 is kept deep down in my cellar room, which is more and more filled up with wet darkroom stuff.


Edit:

 

[Samo]

Are you sure, that the defective Semsor will show up without the printer being ready to print. only plugged in?

Yes, I have try this yesterday, the printer just need to be powered on.

And the sensor I will have to activate "manually", by turning the lever down with a stiff paper, right?

Yes. The voltage should then go down from Hi do Low.

 

[martin0reg]

I will try it next weekend ... would be really a surprise and a late christmas gift, if this printer would come back to printing.
It*s a kind of love-hate relationship, If it prints the results are among the best.

Do you have one with broken sensor too? Did you succeed in repair with bypass?