How many times can ink cartridges be refilled?

[OM2]

Previously, I had read somewhere that you could only refill about 4 or 5 times, before the cartridge became unusable

But: then I started using empty refillables - which where used for 12 months before I got an error saying the printerhead was not recognised
The seller of the empty refillables said that they could be used indefinitely!

So... what's the answer?

After looking at the ink cartridges... I cant think why there would be any limit??
It looks like a simple enough mechanism - not much can go wrong!

Thanks


OM

 

[ghwellsjr]

Many people have reported refilling the same cartridge for many years, they still haven't found the limit.

The major problem that causes a Canon cartridge to quit working is the foam which can be cleaned and purged to make it like new again.

It's not likely that your cartridge caused your print head to die, unless it leaked and got ink where it wasn't supposed to be. That is one reason that I recommend OEM cartridges and why I recommend refilling with the German method. Leaking ink is the result of an air leak in the reservoir.

 

[jimbo123]

see thread on 3 year recap: PGI5 72 refills, CLI8's(orig) 25 refills, never purged

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6025

my 4 original CLI8s outlasted my original MP830 printer, refilled each CLI8 at least 25 times

J

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Printers: Canon MP830, IP4500, MX700, MX860, MP980
Method: German Durchstich Method
Ink: Hobbicolors ink, PMT-BK, UW8
Misc: Squeeze bottles - so much easier than syringes

 

[Wondering_Mike]

I've had 10 refills, no purges and service time of 1 year.
And suddenly my pg-512 cart (canon pixma 270 FYI) suddenly quit on me. Probably because I was experimenting too much with reclaimed waste water. XD

Anyway I'm also interested how many refills people get out of their carts.

 

[ni9eofse7en]

I started refilling my CLI8's after reading useful info on here and refilling with ink from Octoink (Image specialist ink, I believe), and I have been keeping scores.

Original OEM carts as supplied with printer from new, bought in July. I will abbreviate the colours, followed by number of fills to date.

PM - 10
BK - 5
PC - 5
M - 5
Y - 6
C - 5
R - 1
G - 1

PM as you can see is way out in front. the only carts to play up are M which sometimes fails to work unless I do a clean, and C which is a pain to fill as it backs up quickly and starts coming out of the nozzle.

 

[jimbo123]

canon MP830 refills, past 3 years:

PGI5 black - 90 refills, spanning 3 PGI5 ink cartridges
CLI8 black - 20 refills (original cartridge)
CLI8 yellow - 26 refills (original cartridge)
CLI8 magenta - 25 refills (original cartridge)
CLI8 cyan - 26 refills (original cartridge)

using second MP830, first one died at 22,000 pages

MP830 on 24x7, daily printing, german refill method using squeeze bottles w hobbicolors ink, never purged

187 refills and counting.....

J

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Printers: Canon MP830, IP4500, MX700, MX860, MP980
Method: German Durchstich Method
Ink: Hobbicolors ink, PMT-BK, UW8
Misc: Squeeze bottles - so much easier than syringes

 

[OM2]

OMG!
u guys are joking right!!!?
that is amazing
yeee ha!

 

[nche11]

OEM cartridges can last forever or almost forever if you compare to the life of a printer. That's no joking. I do not record the number of refills I have done to my ip4300. It's been 6 years with 2 PGI-5 and 1 set of CLI-8. Used mostly Hobbicolors ink but with Inktec for 1 year.

 

[OM2]

Used mostly Hobbicolors ink but with Inktec for 1 year.

ok... so does it matter what refill ink u use?
i've never heard of hobbicolor - where do u get that from?

 

[The Hat]

OM2
Hobbicolor inks are US based, so youd be better going for an ink supplier nearer home in the EU.
Check out - www.octoink.co.uk and see for yourself, I reckon you wont be disappointed with the range of inks and other supplies they have on offer..