Help! Ink Cartridges "depressurizing" (breathing?)

[Photographic Memory]

OK guys, this is it. You ready?…

So I have followed all procedures to the tee WITH you guys! I refilled all CLI-42 (and one CLI-8) successfully. Pro-100S by the way.

Some carts have already been swapped out (OEM's for 3rd Parties). They rest, well how to store? I read someone on here (Stratman or another "reputable dealer") that they store theirs in a tupperware box on a paper towel soaked in Isopryl Alcohol - check! Their reasoning was to protect from mold. This time of year is susceptible to mold in this environment so that's exactly what I needed to hear.

Well… I have just taken out Grey and Black as the ones in the printer are running low.

Was just about to insert them and what the **** did I notice?!!? Take a look at these photos…

What should I do, I am thinking to just reseal the Silicone Plug that has popped out (even though "securely sealed" for good measure with PVC electrical tape (thank goodness I even did that!)

A) I need to print and B) this was we can see if the carts that have been in the Printer (that now need switching out) have a similar situation or if only the ones in the air tight Ice Cream box with ISP Alcohol are the only ones.

*When I took out Silicone Plug the Ink went all the way up to the top of Top 'Sponge' and the Ink level in the sponge-less reservoir is somewhat half full (or half empty, not the time for humor, oh go on then have a chuckle!)

Seriously. Did I overfill?? Mr. Better warned me. I just had read that the top Sponge would allow more Ink than we initially thought was possible when filling.


Please help… PLEASE!!

 

[Photographic Memory]

Ok so I took the orange clip off the Black and it started leaking from the Outlet, I thought "Oh no!" but it was only a few drops?

Something with the air? (Like when you put a straw in a glass of water and plug the top of the straw with your finger and take the straw out the glass, no water drips out of the straw until you release your finger)

 

[The Hat]

Let’s deal with your first question: - No you don’t have to do anything special at all with your refilled cartridges, just store them upright in anything that will hold them all, carboard, plastic or glass containers will work, and no need for Alcohol foot baths.

Now for the $64,000 question: -

I hazard a guess and say you’ve overfilled all your carts and most likely blocked the air maze while doing so, resulting in the silicone plug popping out, you could have also filled the carts when the sponge was not dry enough. (Just Guessing)

You need to start again, but this time STOP trying to over think the procedure, its a tried and trusted method when done correctly and no amount of brain input is needed other than for you to follow the rules as printed here on this forum.

Now before you get all hot headed, I can tell you, you’re not the first to balls up this refilling procedure and you won’t be the last, I had similar problems when I first started, and was told the very same things...

Now you’re a real Ink Stained Fingers...

 

[Photographic Memory]

Okee dokee, thank you for your reply. A couple of questions…
You mention the sponge was not dry enough. Correct (I guess?) All the Carts were freshly used OEM's, some still with a little Ink still in them, save switching them out individually. Does the sponge really need to be dry? I have read some people (JToolman?) saying if you are quick enough you can refill Carts, if you only have one set I presume, while the Printer Head is visible when we open the lid on the Printer.

You mention overfilling while blocking the Air Maze. In the OctoInk instructions it mentions to fill half way, then block the Air Maze intentionally and fill "to the top". This is exactly what I did with them all.

You say to start again? Ermm, how do I start again exactly? Please don't tell me I need to purge/flush them? Now I am overthinking

I have had enough sleep so I will be cool calm and collected.

Still haven't figured out why all this happened, I ended up filling back the Black (there was room, for some reason the top sponge is "sucking up" the Ink it seems).
For the Grey I was set to re-top that one too, but when taking off the orange clip it drips, not badly, just 2 drips I noticed about a minute apart from each other when I was examining the cart.

 

[Photographic Memory]

Theoretically speaking of course, what [could] happen if I just used these carts. Like today. Would they flood the printer or would it actually help the cart release ink and clear out the air maze?

 

[PeterBJ]

Overfilling can cause a cartridge leaking, but another cause of leaking is air seeping into the ink reservoir because of defects in the cartridge or the cartridge has not been sealed properly after a refill. It looks like you are using supplies from Octoinkjet UK. So am I and I have no problems with their standard lipped plugs that it looks like you are using. But to function properly the plugs must be completely inserted into the cartridges. Push hard onto the plug so the lip is flush with the top of the cartridge, like this:

This is your cartridges, the plugs are not properly seated and in my opinion the cause of the severe leaking:

If your plugs are not the "Lipped (Standard)" plugs from Octoink I strongly suggest to buy a bag of these plugs. To avoid leaking from a top filled cartridges it is vital that the cartridge is sealed 100% airtight. 99% is not good enough.

 

[stratman]

I read someone on here (Stratman or another "reputable dealer") that they store theirs in a tupperware box on a paper towel soaked in Isopryl Alcohol

Not me. But I have read the same as you.

 

[kdsdata]

@Photo... The pressure inside the carts is EXTREMELY sensitive to pressure changes. So the few drops out the top, with the orange clip still on the bottom, is always possible. I am surprised when it doesn't happen. Same with the few drops out the bottom, with or without the top plug in, I would also expect. That's why I always wear gloves.

There was a time when I thought I could finesse the drops and keep clean fingers, but I have been educated, by the drops, and thankfully by this forum. So now it's "always gloves", to save my manicure To minimize any drops getting forced out by pressure changes, I handle the carts only at the ends. Meaning, fingers never on the flat sides. That minimizes the pressure changes inside the carts. A pressure change can also be created by the temperature change due touching with the fingers. So minimize the contact time of fingers.

The couple of side shot photos show that you have some space above the ink in the tank. I say that's good practice. I never fill all the way. That invites ink getting forced out when/where not expected. I always leave a small space. It means having to change the carts more often, but I see it as a small price for having less leakage problems. As long as there is some ink in the tank the sponge will do it's thing and draw in ink. That's what I look for when I decide if a cart needs ink. I don't let the sponge draw down. I can't clearly see your yellow cart, but I might say your photo shows you need to add yellow ink.

I can't comment on storing with isopropyl alcohol, because where I live, we generally have no mold issues, the humidity being 20% on the average.

Wishing you success, @kdsdata.

 

[stratman]

You mention overfilling while blocking the Air Maze. In the OctoInk instructions it mentions to fill half way, then block the Air Maze intentionally and fill "to the top".

The Hat most likely means you've overfilled your cartridge causing ink to enter the air maze and block it up. Without the ability to equalize pressure within the cartridge via the air maze, the silicone plug may pop out.

Overfilling the cartridge increases pressure within the cartridge which can lead to ink dripping out until the pressure inside the cartridge is equalised with that outside the cartridge. Same principle applies if you squeeze the sides of the cartridge - the ink has to go somewhere, ultimately outside the cartridge.

 

[PeterBJ]

It is a good idea to reset the chip before refilling the cartridge. You get a proof that the chip and resetter is OK and you avoid accidentally squeezing the refilled cartridge and spilling ink when resetting it.