Check Canon Cli-8 ink level without removing cartridge

[Tin Ho]

You may have found a loop hole in Canon printers. Just plug in a reset cartridge then the original empty cartridge becomes full again. This means you can keep refilling and just plug in a reset one briefly to fool the printer. You will never need to see the warranty statement and you will never need to press a button for 5 seconds. Am I reading your post correctly?

 

[pharmacist]

It is possible, I'm trying to see what the results will be the next time with cyan (running low now).

 

[Smile]

But monitoring functions are restored if you plug in a new cartridge, so if monitoring features are restored you can go for warranty without any problems.

 

[stratman]

But monitoring functions are restored if you plug in a new cartridge, so if monitoring features are restored you can go for warranty without any problems.

It is my understanding that the EPROM/EEPROM (?) of the printer will record the disabling of monitoring functions. A repairman will know if he cares to look. How this would impact warranty repair is difficult to guess and would depend upon what part(s) have malfunctioned.

 

[OpaPiloot]

Closer inspection if my ip4200 reveiled another optical sensor, located left, behind the front. See
http://members.lycos.nl/dmjbijzboek/Electronics/CLI-8-light-guide-sensor.jpg

Its vertical position matches the top of the tapered lightguide or the CLI-8 and PGI-5 cartridges.
This top ends in an polished surface under 45 degrees, acting as a mirror so that the light is reflected through the dark-grey window in the direction of the sensor; the window is apparently a mask, shielding unwanted light.
Hence the light of the LED is guided via the mirror to the sensor when it is properly aligned horizontally and then a measurement of the light intensity could take place. The light-guide is rather leaky, so if some of the leaking light is reflected back, e.g. dependent on the ink level, the sensor wil receive more light.

At least this means that the light guide plays a role in the ink supply management system. What role is not clear, but it seems that removing the light guide prevents the printer to detect a refilled cartridge

Anyway, the printer still indicates "low ink level" for this cartridge and it works normally. Of course the inkelvel indication is not functioning anymore, but at least the printer still seem to "think" that an original cartridge is present.





http://members.lycos.nl/dmjbijzboek/Electronics/CLI-8-light-guide-sensor.jpg

 

[OpaPiloot]

Tin Ho:
OK, you were right. Eventually the infamous warning was given and the LED went off.
So that leaves only the easy ink level check.
Have fun, Bert

 

[Tin Ho]

Bert: thanks for the update. The idea of removing the light guide is an excellent one still. It really makes it possible for visual ink level monitoring without removing the cartridges. Just keep in mind not to break the tab. Good luck.

 

[colblip]

Pictures:
http://members.lycos.nl/dmjbijzboek/Electronics/CLI-8-inklevel.jpg
Top: CLI-8 cartridge with light guide cut away
Bottom: checking the ink level is easy now

If one cuts the tab off for viewing doesn't one lose the seating 'lock' that is on the tab? Does this not cause a problem, e.g. the cartridge unseating from the head?

Thanks.

 

[canonfodder]

Look at the pictures quite carefully. The light pipe that was under the black thing at the top has been cut away. The upper part of the locking tab has been cut away, but the actual lock is still there. It may be a little harder to unlock the cart, but it still has the working part of the lock.

 

[colblip]

Thanks, now I get the picture better. In bending the tab down to gain access, it would appear that it would be easy to break the tab off. Has this been a problem?