With introduction of opaque cartridges, top filling and German method are seriously hindered.
As a way to know exactly when the reservoir is filled to capacity, I am proposing an electric way to see it, by permanently inserting two electrodes in spongeless side of cartridge and measuring the electric resistivity between them.
What is needed:
one corrosion resistant paper clip
one sewing needle slightly thinner that paper clip wire
needle nose pliers
a fine file or abrasive paper, to sharpen the tip of electrode
one cheap analog multimeter able to measure at least up to 100 KOhm
In next picture is an example for electrodes, placement, and mode of connection to multimeter.
I made the pictured electrodes from a nickel plated paper clip, and to insert them I first pierced the cartridge with a thin needle, then I pressed the electrode tip in the hole. There was no need for sealant, as the cartridges plastic is soft and elastic enough. In my case the space between cartridges as inserted in printhead allows for this particular placement, but if there is no space for side placement, the actual position can be moved where convenient.
For refill, set the multimeter to measure in the highest scale for resistance, connect the multimeter to electrodes with crocodile clips, check if there is a good electric contact between clips and electrodes, by connecting the electrodes (not the clips) with a piece of metal, then proceed to refill with the method of choice. The moment when ink touches both electrodes is signaled by a marked change of multimeter displayed value, indicating full fill of ink reservoir.
Disclaimer
I do not own a printer with opaque cartridge. The method presented above was tested only with a CLI-8 compatible cartridge.
The actual situation with real opaque cartridges may be different.
As a way to know exactly when the reservoir is filled to capacity, I am proposing an electric way to see it, by permanently inserting two electrodes in spongeless side of cartridge and measuring the electric resistivity between them.
What is needed:
one corrosion resistant paper clip
one sewing needle slightly thinner that paper clip wire
needle nose pliers
a fine file or abrasive paper, to sharpen the tip of electrode
one cheap analog multimeter able to measure at least up to 100 KOhm
In next picture is an example for electrodes, placement, and mode of connection to multimeter.
I made the pictured electrodes from a nickel plated paper clip, and to insert them I first pierced the cartridge with a thin needle, then I pressed the electrode tip in the hole. There was no need for sealant, as the cartridges plastic is soft and elastic enough. In my case the space between cartridges as inserted in printhead allows for this particular placement, but if there is no space for side placement, the actual position can be moved where convenient.
For refill, set the multimeter to measure in the highest scale for resistance, connect the multimeter to electrodes with crocodile clips, check if there is a good electric contact between clips and electrodes, by connecting the electrodes (not the clips) with a piece of metal, then proceed to refill with the method of choice. The moment when ink touches both electrodes is signaled by a marked change of multimeter displayed value, indicating full fill of ink reservoir.
Disclaimer
I do not own a printer with opaque cartridge. The method presented above was tested only with a CLI-8 compatible cartridge.
The actual situation with real opaque cartridges may be different.
