German "Durchstich" refill method for the PGI-520/CLI-521 cartridges

[ghwellsjr]

ghwells did mention the air bubbles in a "groovy" cart appear more constantly while in a cart without grooves more abrupt.

I was attributing the difference between the Canon OEM cartridge and a compatible one had to do with the difference in the two sponge material in the Canon compared to one in the compatible. The upper sponge in the OEM is designed to allow air flow but in a compatible a single sponge material has trouble passing air. I am unaware of any compatible that does not have any grooves.

 

[paulcroft]

once sufficient ink is drained from the sponge, air can get into the ink chamber

How? Following what path? The only link between the sponge chamber and the ink chamber is via the small rectangular hole at the base of the dividing plate between the two chambers, which means that the air has to pass through the ink to reach the space above the ink, unless the ink level is lower than the height of the rectangular hole, i.e. lower than about 1mm.

I am thinking here of how I can hold a column of water in a hose pipe or tube simply by holding my thumb over the top end of the tube - if no air can get in above the water then the water will not drain out of the hose.

Or am I missing something which is blindingly obvious to others?

Paul

 

[martin0reg]

..
I am thinking here of how I can hold a column of water in a hose pipe or tube simply by holding my thumb over the top end of the tube - if no air can get in above the water then the water will not drain out of the hose.

Or am I missing something which is blindingly obvious to others?

Paul

The ink chamber is closed - but the sponge chamber is not. And ink flows from ink chamber to sponge chamber not until air flows vice versa.
You can see the air bubbles going from sponge to ink chamber through the low passage. And the grooves (which you have photographed so well) are helpful to let the air go along the side of the lower sponge...

 

[irvweiner]

ldallan, here is the correct url for the 1813 caps that fir the CLI8 carts--I dont know what you found with 469.

http://www.rjettek.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/469

irv weiner

 

[l_d_allan]

My error ... I was carelessly going by the #469 at the end of the link address rather than their part number. Thanks!

 

[Drummerman]

Forgive the ignorance of a newbie but does the hole have to be plugged as a top fill does ?

I have a Canon IP 4700 and have had no problems top filling (usual mess though!) until recently when I bought some very cheap cartridges and then spent a week clearing the blockages.

I plan to buy a couple of sets of Canon cartridges to go back to filling and the german method looks a lot cleaner.

 

[Bertil]

You need not plug the hole.The German refill method is superior to any other method and so simple.I first saw it demonstrated in Druckerchannel.de and since then I have used it.Total satisfaction.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

There's one other important detail that seems to be unspoken. Some of you stick the needle through the sponge, while others stick it under the sponge.

There are some possible advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Some people have difficulty hitting the opening between the chambers. I assume this would be easier if the needle goes under the sponge. Some people claim that the sponge or filter gets eventually deteriorates, and that would argue against running the filter under the sponge.

(I have proposed a third method: running the needle diagonally under the sponge, not passing across the filter.)

What do you all use, and why?

 

[al-53]

I just did this method today for the first time.....I got my inks from Precision colors and a chip resetter off Amazon...now when I pushed the needle in I could see it between the foam and the cartridge...I did not go into the foam....pushed up to the prism and filled....I used 11 ml of ink since some was still in the tanks....I bought some virgin tanks off Ebay that I will purge for next fill....I have a 6 color system...

This method worked great..no leaks or drips....no more top fills for me

Al

 

[stratman]

This method worked great..no leaks or drips....no more top fills for me

Welcome.

IMO the Durchstich method is the best thing that's happened to refilling next to high quality aftermarket inks. Resetters are third. Squeeze bottles with Luer Lock tops are fourth. Both the silicone/rubber plugs, like those I've used from Precision Colors, to perfectly seal a top hole and ghwellsjr's simple but elegant paper towel method of wicking moisture quickly from flushed cartridges are in the running for fifth.