Epson 1400 CIS: looking to buy one

[RayTheRat]

I have 2 Epson Stylus 1400 printers. I'm very happy with them. My older one uses a refillable cartridge system and my new one (only used on one occasion) has the standard Epson cartridge setup.

I want to convert the new one to a CIS, but I'm not sure which ones are recommended and which ones to stay away from.

Before I go much further, let me explain how I use them. I do my photo shoots at remote locations. I make prints on site. I use my laptop and both printers in my van. Sometimes the terrain is a little rough...nothing horrible, bit definitely not billiard-table smooth. So far, I've done pretty well with the refillable cartridge system...until I lost one of the refill bottles. (Oops) That's when I switched to the backup printer and kept on going. Worked fine. Occasionally I get a little ink spillage, but that's pretty rare. Overall I give the refillable system a grade of A-.

So. As I wrote, I'd like to convert the other one to CIS. I've looked at instructions on the web and I think I can handle the installation pretty well (I worked as a computer hardware tech for 15 years.) I'm not too worried about that. But before I make the jump and make major changes to my backup printer (which will become the primary if the CIS install goes well) I'd like some info and/or experience about a conversion such as this. And if there are horror stories about a certain brand, I'd sure like to know that before I head down a dead-end road.

I thank you in advance for any info on this.

RtR

 

[websnail]

Your key issues with a CIS are going to be as follows:

1. Any "travelling" system is going to bump and jolt the ink around in the reservoirs and you would almost certainly soil any air filters in many of the systems

2. The other issue with travelling is that you will undoubtedly have altitude and air pressure changes which could draw air into the nozzles or force ink out of them depending on where you go.

Given those issues I'd be more tempted to consider a custom system that used ink delivered from a collapsible bag type reservoir rather than rigid CIS units. I messed with one but it suffered quality issues and wasn't refillable so I can't recommend one so given the potential issues noted I'd be leaning more towards keeping refilling tbh.

That's just my take on it but hopefully if some use.

Martin

 

[RayTheRat]

I should have been more specific about the location(s) I shoot. Much of it is done on the Bonneville salt flats, and I live 120 miles to the east. The altitude is pretty constant around 4200 feet.

Bumps and jolts are an issue as you pointed out. Even driving across town things get bumped around a bit.

So, having said that, the only system I've found in the US is one sold on eBay by Iamicci in California. If you know of another source or vendor I'd certainly have an open mind to it.

Thanks,

RtR

 

[websnail]

I should have been more specific about the location(s) I shoot. Much of it is done on the Bonneville salt flats, and I live 120 miles to the east. The altitude is pretty constant around 4200 feet.

LOL... I should have realised you were going to say something like that... Does make things a bit easier then.

Bumps and jolts are an issue as you pointed out. Even driving across town things get bumped around a bit.

Yeah, but less of an issue than I would have originally worried about... In this instance you could probably get away with it provided you established a firm routine for locking things down ready for travel.

So, having said that, the only system I've found in the US is one sold on eBay by Iamicci in California. If you know of another source or vendor I'd certainly have an open mind to it.

In all honesty I can't see that you would have much choice with this except to use a custom system that would allow you to connect and disconnect the reservoirs. The reason I say this is as follows:

1. Most CIS kits are going to have a rigid reservoir and this would include a vent that would allow ink to slop out or at bare minimum for ink/air balancing tubes to need resetting a lot

2. To stop ink flowing back and forth due to slopping you would need to clamp the tubes regularly and over time that would stress and split the tubing in a relatively short time.


I could see a solution in terms of a collapsible bag reservoir to resolve the vent issue and a quick connect to allow the reservoir to be disconnect for travel, or reconnected for use... I could certainly make one up that would do the job for you too.. I just don't know whether it would end up being worth the hassle or the cost when you are already familiar with refilling and could probably refill in next to no time.

I'd be happy to look into a custom system if you're really interested as I can certainly source the parts for tanks, and connectors, having looked into something like this a couple of years ago... I do think that perhaps refilling would be the simplest, most cost effective option for now though.

Hope that helps, albeit later than I'd anticipated.

 

[johnwarfin]

The last few CIS purchased had "travel plugs" for top of tanks with strip of tape across which eliminated all leakage. The only remaining issue was cartridge outlets which I solved with little blue plug/clips that came with refillable kits. Now I carry printers all over town and country with no leaks or drying.

I wish I knew where to get some more of these plugs. Perfect for storing original or partial carts too.