Important : Canon Pro-100 Cli-42 Yellow Ink

[Ink stained Fingers]

you may check the status of the waste ink container with the WICReset utility, the R2880 would last longer than one reset cyvle of this counter, and instead of replacing the waste ink container you may go for an alternate external waste ink reservoir you just empty as needed http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/R1900-{47}-R2880-Waste-Ink-Kit-(DUO15).html. If you are looking to move to a wider print width with the 3880 that's a somewhat different consideration, but please be aware that the 3880 is phased out and replaced by a P800, refill is not yet possible for this model , but there should be still 3880' s on the market I would guess.

The strange thing is that I got into some yellow ink problems last year when I was testing quite a lot of 3rd party dye inks on the Epson L300, a few of those inks reacted with each other and flocculated. I can't say whether it's the dyes reacting with each other, or some other substances in some inks making them imcompatible but it required a complete cleaning and flushing of the yellow ink channel including the replacement of a damper since the filter within was clogged. After a reoccurance of that effect I could not get the printhead clean and free again in the yellow ink path. So a yellow ink problem is not just limited to Canon.

 

[Tin Ho]

you may check the status of the waste ink container with the WICReset utility, the R2880 would last longer than one reset cyvle of this counter, and instead of replacing the waste ink container you may go for an alternate external waste ink reservoir you just empty as needed http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/R1900-{47}-R2880-Waste-Ink-Kit-(DUO15).html. If you are looking to move to a wider print width with the 3880 that's a somewhat different consideration, but please be aware that the 3880 is phased out and replaced by a P800, refill is not yet possible for this model , but there should be still 3880' s on the market I would guess.

Thanks for the great tip. I will eventually need to deal with the waste ink tank problem. I should take care of it early rather than late. It's good to know R288o waste ink tank will last longer than just one reset cycle. I will try to install an external waste ink bottle.

The strange thing is that I got into some yellow ink problems last year when I was testing quite a lot of 3rd party dye inks on the Epson L300, a few of those inks reacted with each other and flocculated. I can't say whether it's the dyes reacting with each other, or some other substances in some inks making them imcompatible but it required a complete cleaning and flushing of the yellow ink channel including the replacement of a damper since the filter within was clogged. After a reoccurance of that effect I could not get the printhead clean and free again in the yellow ink path. So a yellow ink problem is not just limited to Canon.

I had good luck in unclogging pigment black nozzles of Canon printers a number of times. Wasn't so lucky in unclogging color channels. I might have a few short lived success. The loss of 3 i895s was unforgettable. I really do not want to repeat that experience on a Pro-100. Is R3880 really phased out? I missed a chance of getting a factory refurb'ed one for about $800. My R2880 is almost trouble free. Never experienced any clogging. I let it idle powered off for the entire winter. No problem with that so far. I think Epson printers that use K3 ink are probably among the best to own.

 

[Tin Ho]

Why do you wish to go against what has been proven to not be a good idea???

Joe

Joe, thanks for your thoughts. I am not against anything. If refilling a Pro-100 with PC inks will require dumping or whatever it is to a CLI-42Y that is an indication to me the inks are questionable. I know it is probably a rare occurrence but it is a fact it is a problem and I think it is an ink problem. To many others it maybe a small issue to deal with. But I rather prefer not to have to deal with it. Are there any alternative Pro-100 ink source available that does not have this issue?

In my opinion it is a PC ink problem. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

 

[The Hat]

@Tin Ho, The yellow OEM ink that came in the CLl-42 cart was a new formula that reacted badly with I.S inks which cause a gelling to occur after a period of time, but it also done the very same when in contact with water.

I used the CLl-42 cart in several of my CLl-8 printers and got the gelling issue in each of these printers, but this only become apparent to me when I continued to refill the same CLl-42 yellow cartridges.

The easiest way to avoid this problem is to only use OEM inks, but if you wish to refill, then simply don’t reuse the yellow CLl-42 cartridge, by switching to a CLl-8 there will never be any problems, there are some German inks that don’t have any issues with CLl-42 OEM yellow..

 

[mikling]

OK use OEM CLI-42Y ink or similar down the road.

In any case, let's hear the solution for a couple of situations for the normal refiller.

What do they typically use to flush cartridges? and what would that cause in the Canon CLI-42Y cartridge. Care to find out?

Second what is the typical remedy for a slightly clogged Canon printhead? and what would that cause to the yellow ink remaining inside the printhead when that is performed? Care to find out?

If you think that a lot of factors was not considered when the remedy of using preflushed CLI-8s was considered then you are grossly incorrect, and your statements have no merit and only show an absolute bias. Others who have purchased inks elsewhere, including Germany routinely contact me to acquire ink because their photos are not looking good and how to switch.

After switching OUT of Canon CLI-42Y ink from the printer, the whole refill process will behave as we would normally expect without ANY surprises. If you created an aftermarket ink that mimics the Canon characteristics, you are setting users of the ink up for unpleasant surprises down the road. Who wants that? maybe Tin Ho does.

Even if you use OEM ink, and you need to clean the printhead...because of a slight clog, and those still happen even with OEM ink, then what? Guess what might happen?

Tin Ho always needs things spelled out for him. Maybe someone can answer the questions posed above. I am already raising them as a favor already.

 

[jtoolman]

Joe, thanks for your thoughts. I am not against anything. If refilling a Pro-100 with PC inks will require dumping or whatever it is to a CLI-42Y that is an indication to me the inks are questionable. I know it is probably a rare occurrence but it is a fact it is a problem and I think it is an ink problem. To many others it maybe a small issue to deal with. But I rather prefer not to have to deal with it. Are there any alternative Pro-100 ink source available that does not have this issue?

In my opinion it is a PC ink problem. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

Ok If you insist. Yes it is the EPSON Yellow CLI-42 ink that does not mix well with the readily available ( for a while ) Image Specialists inks, one of the USA's Premiere ink manufactures!! And NOT the PC inks as you are impplying. OEM Yellow ink will gel on its own even if touches just water! So conitnue being stubburn and not listening to those who have "Been there and done it". By the way I was the guy who discovered this probelm and immediately reported to PC who then races to find a cure. Unlike companies like CANON and EPSON who instead of issuing recalls for some of their fiascos, simply go into a state of denial and blame YOU the user!

So there. You now have an answer!
If you are in the UK or Europe you can try Octoinkjet.co.uk inks which claim that they do not have a problem with the original OEM Yellow ink.

Joe

 

[Tin Ho]

Joe, glad that you gave a straight answer. Believe me, the whole issue has been a mystery to me. I am searching a true answer in order to avoid repeating the disaster that happened to me before. You can call me stubborn because I am on this issue. Why should I not be? A trouble free high quality and reasonable cost printing is what I am looking for. I am searching for the truth before going down the hell of it.

You think it is a bug of Canon and Canon should have a recall to fix it. That's a good thinking. However, according to PC's warning or recommendation of tossing OEM CLI-42Y cartridges it says there were only a handful of occurrence of the bug. If that is true I think a recall by Canon is not possible at all based on only a handful of occurrence. On the other hand, If Octoinkjet ink does not have the issue doesn't it tells us the culprit is in the PC ink? I believe Octoinkjet sold Image Specialists inks before.

You can see why I am reluctant to make a quick conclusion. I don't know what to believe. Are you saying PC is not selling IS inks any more and the issue was caused by the IS ink? If so why PC recommends strongly to toss CLI-42Y still? I did hear that IS was sold and gone. What Inks is PC selling now? I know PC does not have answer this. Just curious if anyone knows. Please clarify is the bug caused by IS ink and not by PC ink.

My apology to Mike if he felt my words were against PC. I could become his customer if he helps me finding it the right way to go. At this point I am going to have to delay my purchase of a Pro-100. Or I might just pick one up for cheap along with one or two spare heads and put them aside.

 

[jtoolman]

I never said that CANON should recall the yellow ink.
I said the unlike Printer COMPANIES like EPSON and CANON who may know that a mechanical defect exists on one of their printers, denies that it does when they should acknowledge it and declare a recall.
Example, the EPSON PRO 4900! The EPSON Printers with the Black ink switch!

With the yellow ink issue, no one is at fault. CANON changed the formulation. Their old PRO9000 inks did not have any problem mixing with IS inks. This newer one does. Whose fault is it? No one's!
Do you seriously think CANON wants to help those of us who chose to refill? Of course not.

If there any other solution to the Yellow problem. No!
Wait, yes there is. Use nothing but OEM yellow carts and you will be fine.

Other than that, at this time there is no other recourse but to either SUPER flush the living hell out of the ORIGINAL cart and play Russian Roulette with your print head or simply do what MANY of us are currently doing with MINIMUM inconvenience!

Yes I know about IS being sold and who purchased them. Whatever the source of the new inks PC is using is totally irrelevant to me.
My current PRO -100 system is working like a fine watch and my prints are SUPER and the cost is minimal! What more can I ask for!
Joe

 

[websnail]

Just to hopefully add a calm note or two...

1. Everyone learned a lot from the whole Yellow Jello episode... Canon can change ink formulations and things can go bad. Being the first one to market often means you find all the bugs and gremlins waiting in the wings and this was no exception. Am I glad it wasn't us? heck yes!.. but lessons were learned so it would be churlish to say that an issue from years ago wasn't resolved.

@Tin Ho you can rest assured the yellow issue is resolved for ALL the inks currently available for the Pro-100.

2. Ink formulations were changed or, as in our (OctoInkjets) case, avoided altogether by having or switching to an ink which doesn't react.

And can I just politely point out that my "claim" is backed up by facts. Our tests and end-user experience of years, have all resulted in zero reports of the yellow jello issue with our inks. Ditto the Magenta scare. There was plenty of spurious nonsense being bandied about implying we were ignorant or worse, lying, but neither implication was fair nor accurate. Our Pro-100 inks simply were and are not affected. Hopefully that clarifies...

3. The issue of the OEM ink reacting with water is still a very real issue if someone decides to flush their cartridge and isn't paying attention. The solution to that is to use a small amount of the refill ink you intend to use to fill/purge/fill/purge and then dump to resolve most of the key issues that flushing normally resolves such as clumps of ink, air/foam in the sponge or similar.



Beyond all that though, I really do have to disagree with the sentiment that the R2880 is a candidate for retirement.. It's a beautiful machine. It takes the same inks as the R3000, has none of the issues with the solenoid switch between the Blacks and because you don't have a CIS system installed you can always flush the head directly if, for whatever reason, you hit problems and the heads need de-clogging.

As for what else you could hope for... a printer that makes the morning coffee/tea? Oh yes! Mind you, what would happen if you got the ink and espresso mix confused? Hmm.. maybe not.

 

[Roy Sletcher]

As for what else you could hope for... a printer that makes the morning coffee/tea? Oh yes! Mind you, what would happen if you got the ink and espresso mix confused? Hmm.. maybe not.

Many a true word is spoken in jest...

I refill my Keurig K-Cups. For the record a lot easier than refilling ink cartridges.

Now I know that is definitely off-topic and I can sense The Hat is reaching for his ”Shelly thingy”

rs