MP640
Print Addict
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2010
- Messages
- 196
- Reaction score
- 71
- Points
- 168
- Location
- The Netherlands
- Printer Model
- Canon MG6150
Ive owned several Canon printers. Started with a BJC-4200, followed by an IP4300, MP640 and now an MG6150. From the 4300 I have refilled my cartridges. Not because I print high volumes, but because I dont want to pay the outrageous prices Canon (and others) charge for their ink.
Over the years Canon made it harder to refill their cartridges. First came the chips, then the top clearance issue (which made me cut out the inner plastic covers of my 640) and later the opaque cartridges.
I always used the top filling method, but with the MP640 I switched to the German Durchstich Method. Then with the MG6150, with the opaque cartridges, I added a d=0.01 gram scale to my refilling equipment so I could weigh the cartridges when refilling.
Ive never been very happy with the German Durchstich Method. It does work (Ive used it for over a year) but I always had trouble getting the needle in the right position (both with transparent and opaque cartridges). I also have the feeling (which I cannot prove) that poking with a needle through the sponge is not good for the sponge. Finally, cleaning the syringes and needles after refilling is a messy task that takes quite some time (I know some dont clean their syringes but I did).
At some point I decided I wanted to keep my MG6150, wanted transparent cartridges and get rid of the syringe cleaning process. So heres what I did.
I bought some sets of used transparent 520/521 cartridges;
I bought some sets of used opaque 525/526 cartridges;
As I didnt have information on how the 520/521 cartridges were treated (internet purchase) I wanted to flush them. I removed the factory seal ball with a carpenters owl and force water through the cartridge with a 60 ml syringe that exactly fitted the hole left by the seal ball. I flushed until no more colored water came out. I then used the paper towel method to dry the cartridges for 2 days.
I replaced the chips on the transparent 520/521 cartridges with those from the 525/526 cartridges. Its actually very easy, you only have to cut off the right one of the two notches and the chip will slide off easily. I use two drops of glue on the receiving cartridge to hold the chip in place. When the glue is still liquid and allows slight movement of the chip I do a chip reset, to make sure the chip is in the correct position.
I got squeezable ink bottles, so I dont need to worry about cleaning syringes and needles anymore. This really adds to the easiness of refilling.
I refilled the cartridges through the hole left by the seal ball. All cartridges were flushed and some suck up the ink in the sponge faster than others. What I found to work well is to fill the ink reservoir about halfway and then let the cartridge drip five drops of ink. This tells me there is an ink flow through the cartridge. After the five drops I reseal the ink outlet (with an orange clip) and continue to fill the cartridge with ink. From that moment, ink is sucked into the sponge much faster. I only do this during the first refill after flushing the cartridge.
My concern was the MG6150s limited top clearance. With the IP4300 I used Phillips screws and with the MP640 I removed the plastic covers inside. As the MG6150 is still under warranty I dont want to destroy it. I got some silicone plugs that nicely fit the refill hole. To be on the safe side, I use a piece of electricians tape to cover the plug. Ive had no dripping cartridges.
As shown by the picture and the enlargement, the tape covers the plug and gives a good extra seal.
I think I finally found my preferred refill method. Just wanted to share with you guys.
Thanks for reading
Over the years Canon made it harder to refill their cartridges. First came the chips, then the top clearance issue (which made me cut out the inner plastic covers of my 640) and later the opaque cartridges.
I always used the top filling method, but with the MP640 I switched to the German Durchstich Method. Then with the MG6150, with the opaque cartridges, I added a d=0.01 gram scale to my refilling equipment so I could weigh the cartridges when refilling.
Ive never been very happy with the German Durchstich Method. It does work (Ive used it for over a year) but I always had trouble getting the needle in the right position (both with transparent and opaque cartridges). I also have the feeling (which I cannot prove) that poking with a needle through the sponge is not good for the sponge. Finally, cleaning the syringes and needles after refilling is a messy task that takes quite some time (I know some dont clean their syringes but I did).
At some point I decided I wanted to keep my MG6150, wanted transparent cartridges and get rid of the syringe cleaning process. So heres what I did.
I bought some sets of used transparent 520/521 cartridges;
I bought some sets of used opaque 525/526 cartridges;
As I didnt have information on how the 520/521 cartridges were treated (internet purchase) I wanted to flush them. I removed the factory seal ball with a carpenters owl and force water through the cartridge with a 60 ml syringe that exactly fitted the hole left by the seal ball. I flushed until no more colored water came out. I then used the paper towel method to dry the cartridges for 2 days.
I replaced the chips on the transparent 520/521 cartridges with those from the 525/526 cartridges. Its actually very easy, you only have to cut off the right one of the two notches and the chip will slide off easily. I use two drops of glue on the receiving cartridge to hold the chip in place. When the glue is still liquid and allows slight movement of the chip I do a chip reset, to make sure the chip is in the correct position.
I got squeezable ink bottles, so I dont need to worry about cleaning syringes and needles anymore. This really adds to the easiness of refilling.
I refilled the cartridges through the hole left by the seal ball. All cartridges were flushed and some suck up the ink in the sponge faster than others. What I found to work well is to fill the ink reservoir about halfway and then let the cartridge drip five drops of ink. This tells me there is an ink flow through the cartridge. After the five drops I reseal the ink outlet (with an orange clip) and continue to fill the cartridge with ink. From that moment, ink is sucked into the sponge much faster. I only do this during the first refill after flushing the cartridge.
My concern was the MG6150s limited top clearance. With the IP4300 I used Phillips screws and with the MP640 I removed the plastic covers inside. As the MG6150 is still under warranty I dont want to destroy it. I got some silicone plugs that nicely fit the refill hole. To be on the safe side, I use a piece of electricians tape to cover the plug. Ive had no dripping cartridges.
As shown by the picture and the enlargement, the tape covers the plug and gives a good extra seal.
I think I finally found my preferred refill method. Just wanted to share with you guys.
Thanks for reading
