Is there a test or something.

[Donkeyoatay]

I have just purchased a new Canon PM 550. I intend refilling my carts when required and am currently waiting for my first package from Octoinkjet. Due to my lifestyle my printer can be used daily then go for a couple of weeks or more without touching it.

Is there anything that my partner can do in my absence that will help stop the ink drying out. I was thinking on the lines of getting her to print something every 4/5 days that will at least keep things flowing. It would have to be a simple procedure and printed on ordinary A4 paper as she has no interest in Macs or printers. Anything complicated and it would not be done.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ghwellsjr]

Just do a nozzle check once a week and make sure it looks normal. If it doesn't, do a head cleaning. Leave the printer plugged in and turned on all the time.

 

[stratman]

As ghwellsjr wrote, a weekly nozzle check is a recommended method.

Leaving your printer on inbetween once a week manual nozzle checks is not universally accepted method. Pluses and minuses with a dash of conjecture on both sides is at play here. I dislike leaving things powered up, for energy savings purposes, but, my Canon does seem to be doing some maintenance functions not listed in the Service Manual which might decrease the risk of a clog between print jobs. Discussion aside, I power off my printer.

Another potential solution is to schedule your computer to automatically do nozzle checks or purge pages. Use the Search function on Nifty-Stuff to find threads discussing "Autoprint". There are several threads about using this small application to print purge pages unattended. There are also discussions on setting up a BAT file (I think that's it) so that you can print a scheduled, unattended nozzle check - possibly preferred as this uses less ink. You will need to leave both printer and computer on for this, but, if no one can manually print something for you then this may be a solution.

The worst case scenario of not regularly printing and getting an irremovable clog, whatever that time frame is for you in your environment, is purchasing a new print head. Mine costs ~$50 (US)

 

[jackson]

Scheduled nozzle check by crenedecotret


http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3977

 

[iP4XXX]

Here's a downloadable autoprint for PC's:

http://inksupply.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=28&nav=0

I've never tried it, so I don't know how well it works.

 

[stratman]

Both jackson's and iP4XXX's posts are found within the search on "Autoprint" I suggested. You will find them in the first few threads linked in the search.

 

[Donkeyoatay]

Thank you all for your input. It is truly appreciated.

Michael.