rajhlinux
Printing Apprentice
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2024
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 13
- Printer Model
- Epson Artisan 835, 1400, P600
Hello,
I am going to present some information on my attempts to unclog the Epson 1400 printhead using proven methods, such as using solvents like Isopropyl Alcohol (70-91%) and Propylene Glycol (Brand: SPLASH RV & Marine Antifreeze).
My first attempt strategy:
My first attempt was based on the fact that the black ink channel was extremely clogged. I left the printhead to sit in a bath of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol for 24 hours. While it did not do much to unclog the black ink channel, it did an excellent job of unclogging the other ink channels, such as the magenta. I made sure to apply the bath solution only to the nozzle area and not the entire printhead device to avoid having the solution leak into the printhead's complex PCB circuitry.
After 24 hours in the 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, I used a syringe with a rubber hose connected to the black ink channel to see if any negative pressure was being built up, creating a vacuum. When I pulled the syringe plunger out, it indeed created a great negative force. It also created positive pressure when I pressed down the syringe plunger. This led me to conclude that the black ink channel was still extremely clogged with dried ink. I need to implement other possible effective solutions...
My second attempt strategy:
Now, I will try using a 50/50 mixture solution of Propylene Glycol (Brand: SPLASH RV & Marine Antifreeze) and 91% Isopropyl Alcohol to see how this works out...
Update:
The printhead allows the cleaning solution to be drawn inside from the external micro nozzles into the syringe when I create negative pressure by pulling the syringe plunger outwards. However, creating positive pressure to force the cleaning solution through the micro nozzles is not effective and encounters immense resistance. Initially, it was impossible to force any cleaning solution through the micro nozzles, but I have managed to clear about 20% of this resistance. The good news is that some cleaning solution can now pass through the micro nozzles, but there is still about 80% resistance of positive pressure.
What's going on here? I can easily draw the cleaning solution into the syringe, but I can't easily force the cleaning solution out through the micro nozzles. Is there some internal one-way valve system in the printhead for the black ink channel that disengages during print operation? This wouldn't make sense since all other ink channels easily pass cleaning solutions in both directions.
I am going to present some information on my attempts to unclog the Epson 1400 printhead using proven methods, such as using solvents like Isopropyl Alcohol (70-91%) and Propylene Glycol (Brand: SPLASH RV & Marine Antifreeze).
My first attempt strategy:
My first attempt was based on the fact that the black ink channel was extremely clogged. I left the printhead to sit in a bath of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol for 24 hours. While it did not do much to unclog the black ink channel, it did an excellent job of unclogging the other ink channels, such as the magenta. I made sure to apply the bath solution only to the nozzle area and not the entire printhead device to avoid having the solution leak into the printhead's complex PCB circuitry.
After 24 hours in the 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, I used a syringe with a rubber hose connected to the black ink channel to see if any negative pressure was being built up, creating a vacuum. When I pulled the syringe plunger out, it indeed created a great negative force. It also created positive pressure when I pressed down the syringe plunger. This led me to conclude that the black ink channel was still extremely clogged with dried ink. I need to implement other possible effective solutions...
My second attempt strategy:
Now, I will try using a 50/50 mixture solution of Propylene Glycol (Brand: SPLASH RV & Marine Antifreeze) and 91% Isopropyl Alcohol to see how this works out...
Update:
The printhead allows the cleaning solution to be drawn inside from the external micro nozzles into the syringe when I create negative pressure by pulling the syringe plunger outwards. However, creating positive pressure to force the cleaning solution through the micro nozzles is not effective and encounters immense resistance. Initially, it was impossible to force any cleaning solution through the micro nozzles, but I have managed to clear about 20% of this resistance. The good news is that some cleaning solution can now pass through the micro nozzles, but there is still about 80% resistance of positive pressure.
What's going on here? I can easily draw the cleaning solution into the syringe, but I can't easily force the cleaning solution out through the micro nozzles. Is there some internal one-way valve system in the printhead for the black ink channel that disengages during print operation? This wouldn't make sense since all other ink channels easily pass cleaning solutions in both directions.
Last edited:
