Need help refilling new Canon iP4700

[fdm2000]

Just ordered the Canon iP4700 and would like guidance and advice on refilling the 5 cartridges ( 4 CLI 221 and one PGI 220).

Questions:
I have used the top fill method for previous I560 and iP3500 Canon cartridges that I have had.
Is there anything significantly different about refilling the OEM CLI 221 and PGI 220? Is the German bottom fill method superior to the top fill method?

I have a chip resetter for the CLI 8 and the PGI 5. Would it be compatible with the chips on the CLI221 and PGI or are resetters specialized for each cartridge change?

I have been using Atlas bulk ink and wonder if MIS is a better quality supplier or do all inks ultimately come from the same Chinese company?

Any input would be appreciated,

Frank

 

[azuchrome]

From what I've read here on the forums :

(1) Advocates of the German method are absolutely religious about it - illogically fanatical, actually. They'll tell you it's easier, faster and cleaner. "Cleaner" is the truth; "faster" is debatable; "easier" ... no, not really. It's a fairly surgical-grade procedure with so much to be careful about - don't damage the sponge, what kind of needle to use, don't puncture the wall between chambers, on and on and on - a laundry list of cautions. Top fill might be a bit messy, with it's own set of special cautions, but apples-to-apples, top fill is definitely easier and faster (though it can get messy). Make sure you've got an absolutely airtight seal when you plug the ink tank hole for the top fill method and things should go well.

(2) You'll need a new chip resetter, one designed fot the 220/221 carts. Fortunately, they're getting much less expensive lately than they used to be.

(3) Think about Hobbicolors ink - it's sold by a very reputable, friendly, helpful dealer on eBay. Word here on the forums is that this ink is exceptional quality and a great choice for these particular carts. Image Specialists ink also gets quite good reviews as well.

Best of luck !

 

[qwertydude]

The problem I do find with top fill is that it oversaturates the sponge area which can cause flow issues. To remedy this you must drain, squeeze, or in my case I absorb ink from the outlet with a wadded up piece of toilet paper. But besides that I don't have a problem either way. I have a set of needles for both top fill which is faster, and from german method which is more convenient but slower due to the fine and long needles.

 

[ghwellsjr]

The German method is easier, faster and cleaner, especially for a first-time refiller.

But you need to get the right equipment: a blunt two-inch needle, either 18 or 20 gauge. I prefer 18 because it is less prone to bending.

And you need to refill the right kind of cartridge, Canon OEM.

Then you need to poke a hole right near the bottom of the cartridge so that the needle will slide right under the sponge and above the filter on the outlet port. Sometimes the needle "hangs" on a little lip as it tries to enter the reservoir but rotating and gently pressing will get it in.

You need to point the needle down as you are refilling and just refill the reservoir. Set the cartridge upright for a minute or so until the ink flows into the sponge area and then refill once more to top off the reservoir.

After you remove the needle, I recommend putting a small piece of tape over the refill hole.

The top-fill method can be just as easy, just as fast, and just as clean, once you have made the refill hole and have the proper air-tight plug and have a way to cap the outlet port while you refill. It takes more supplies and more preparation the first time you refill a cartridge and there is a greater learning curve but once you have mastered the process, you may prefer it.

Not me, I hate compromising the cartridge by making a hole that must be absolutely air-tight to avoid problems.

 

[IanYY]

...I have a chip resetter for the CLI 8 and the PGI 5. Would it be compatible with the chips on the CLI221 and PGI or are resetters specialized for each cartridge change? ...

As said, the 5/8 resetter will not work. You should also note that resetters for 520/521 or 820/821 carts also won't work with 220/221 carts, even though they look identical and are sold for ip4700 printers.

There are three different types of 220/221 resetter sold on ebay (US) at the moment. This statement is based on the shape of the plastic casing and the assumption that the circuit board will be different in differently shaped cases. There are no independant reviews comparing the different types of 220/221 resetter.

My resetter (which is for 520/521 cartridges) has a black on/off switch on the sloping front. The only example of this type on ebay (US) at the moment is in the very poor picture in this ad ... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360265897018 ... All I can say is that mine works (for 520/521s) and the others are unknown quality.

Refilling 220/221s with the German method is slightly harder than 5/8s because the 220/221 ink chambers are not completely transparent - particularly around the bottom which is where you need to watch with the German method. You have to watch the ink level so you can stop filling when there is just a tiny air bubble left in the ink chamber (so you don't inject ink directly into the sponge). This is best seen from underneath the cart, rather than the side. It just makes life that little bit harder. That said, I still prefer the German method.

Ian

 

[fdm2000]

Many thanks to azuchrome, quertydude,ghwelljr, and IanYY for their insightful comments.

Think I will stick with the top fill method, which I am comfortable with.

In a perfect world there would be simplistic universal cartridges and inks - apparently the printer manufacturers never heard or Occams Razor!

Frank

 

[azuchrome]

In a perfect world there would be simplistic universal cartridges and inks - apparently the printer manufacturers never heard or Occams Razor!Frank

If there's one thing for sure that printer makers know about "razors", it's that you practically give away the razor ('printer') but you bankrupt your customers when they have to buy refill blades ('ink carts') !

 

[qwertydude]

So that's why William of Ockham was always a poor Friar in the church, didn't have the business "acumen" to fleece consumers.