EPSON Tank System inkjet printers

[erpp]

Has anyone had any experience with this type of inkjet printer? They have tanks (looks like 70 ml each), instead of cartridges, which should make refills rather simple, and ink cost lower. Looks like it is the Lxxx series.

They seem to have been around since 2010:
http://global.epson.com/company/corporate_history/milestone_products/44_l100l200.html

An interesting thing, the model below is selling in Caracas-Venezuela for not too much more than it sells in the US, when things here usually cost several times what they cost there.
http://www.amazon.com/Epson-L355-All-WIFI-Printer/dp/B00CLX86ZA/ref=sr_1_46?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1405137029&sr=1-46&keywords=epson tank inkjet -canon

Reviews look interesting, but it is an Epson website - don't know if this might make a difference:
http://www.epson.co.in/epson_india/ink_tank_system_printers/product.page?product_name=Epson_L355

Would greatly appreciate any info on this matter. Thanks

 

[PeterBJ]

It might look like the ideal refillable printer, with an OEM CISS, but it seems that the printer is protected against refill using non-OEM inks, as the OEM ink bottles come with a key that must be entered when refilling.

The set-up guide and the user manual seems not to mention this, and have warnings to use only OEM ink, suggesting that you can refill using what ink you prefer; but see this image of ink bottles with key labels, click to enlarge:



This thread by Smile suggests that some Russian company might have made refill ink for the printer. I don't know if they also figured out a key generator for use when refilling? The thread also has a suggestion to change the motherboard or logic board in the printer to bypass the key entry system.

Google Translate cannot handle this Russian site, but scroll down to see the window for entering the ink keys.

If the security system can be bypassed, this will make the printer very interesting for refillers.

 

[Lucas28]

The good news is that now you can buy OEM ink in bottles...

Maybe we can get around the code problem. First we can use the codes that are visible on Peter's photo. Or we can go to a big store and make photos of the codes on the bottles (if they let us).

 

[cls]

I am selling my DIY L800 Mod.. it basically an Epson T50 / Artisan 50 / P50 equiped with an L800 Mainboard and an Generic 6 color CISS Tank
No Chips required, printing till ONE color depleted so over 70ml... very easy to use...
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281379833388