ink carts to be out of printer - looking for ideas or recommendations

[jimbo123]

need some ideas. was planning to give a canon MP980 printer as a gift, uses PGI220 and CLI221 cartridges. this is for a nurse who comes every week. i was going to pre drill holes so that when they got low she could bring the carts to me to refill in the AM and then put them back in her printer later at 6PM. they could be out of the printer for as much as 12+ hours.

i think i know the answer, but am i inviting problems with the ink carts being out of the print head up to 12 hours ??

looking for ideas or recommendations or some confirmation that begin out for 12 hours is OK

so far have come up the following less than ideal solutions:
- supply nurse with a second set of drilled carts
- supply nurse with ink refill supplies, squeeze bottles, etc

any ideas recommendations on the above or how else to get this done

J

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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

 

[qwertydude]

If you could ask her to simply wrap the cartridge tightly with saran wrap it'll do double duty to prevent drying problems and possible spills. But she's a nurse. So is my aunt and she refills her own. I guarantee you she's far more capable with a syringe than you.

The ideal solution is to show her how to fill with the german method, make sure she understands to get the needle into the hollow chamber and I bet she can inject ink with the best of them. All you need to do is supply her with two sets of predrilled cartridges. And the best way to store cartridges is wrapping them tightly with saran wrap. If you can wrap them so no wrinkles form on any outlets the cartridge is as good as OEM sealed.

 

[stratman]

The simplest answer is to use the orange clips that came with the new OEM cartridges. Secure them to the cartridge with a rubber band.

The next choice would be to use an aftermarket clip to cover the ink exit port, such as http://stores.ebay.ca/PrecisionColo...187878011&_sid=98545621&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322. Make sure any aftermarket clip will work with your specific cartridge before buying.

You could also use various types of tape or plastic wrap to secure the ink exit port. Obviously these methods may have a failure rate and allow leaking, drying and/or introduction of foreign particles/biologics. Repeated application of certain tape(s) may cause a gummy buildup and create issues. Otheres with experience in this area can comment knowledgeably.

Sealing the German/Durchstich refilling hole is remains a point of contention on the forum. If the cartridge is going to be squeezed/compressed or exposed to high temps/direct sunlight or wide swings in barometric pressure , all of which might cause leaking, then consider using a bit of tape on the refill hole. Many on the forum rave about HVAC Aluminum or foil tapes which leave no residue and are easily applied and taken off.

Or, you could go low tech and use sealed zip lock plastig bags without sealing the ink exit port, but you still might experience leaks, so I prefer sealing the ink exit port to avoid leaks in the first place if possible.

Supplying a second set of carts would be very nice and would help avoid the issue of running out of an ink before she can get the sole cartridge back to you for refill.

Your last solution - giving the nurse all the supplies to refill by themselves - would be optimal but not everyone wants to refill.

 

[jimbo123]

much thx for the quick responses. can't beat this forum for helpful printer info.

i do realize the nurse can handle syringes much better than i can, but i wanted to do something nice for her, make it easy for her, etc

i have the "orange caps" and rubber bands all set up as far as cartridges being out of the printer

i was more worried about any print head issues being that it if i only use one set of cartridges, the print head would be without a cartridge for 12+ hours

ideas ? comments ?

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

 

[stratman]

i was more worried about any print head issues being that it if i only use one set of cartridges, the print head would be without a cartridge for 12+ hours

Doh! Good point.

Don't know about your temporary unique position. Seems that either a second set of pre-filled cartridges or teaching the nurse to refill on their own are the best solutions.

Will the nurse be seeing you in perpetuity so that you can refill the cartridges during your visits?

 

[jimbo123]

yes, weekly visits for several years now, want to do something nice for her.

hmmmm...... still not sure if there will be any damage to the print head if the cart if removed for a long period of time

 

[stratman]

Not damage but dried up ink that blocks the channels in the printhead.

Thought about but not sure it would be a good idea for the nurse to just take out the printhead with all the cartridges still in it. Then there would be a question of ink drying in/on the purge pads where the printhead sits. It might be better than leaving the empty printhead in the machine, or it might not.

 

[fotofreek]

best solution, as mentioned above, is to have a second set of prefilled carts for her so she doesn't leave them out for 12 hours. I'd be concerned about ink drying out in the printheads - most probably the intake screens. This would also prevent the need for you to be pressed for time to refill them the same day.