Non-OEM cartridge maintenance

[andy_48]

I run 2 Canon printers (Pixma iP8750 for photos & Pixma MG6650 for documents) and I could not be happier.

Both printers use 550/551 carts and I have used after-market ARC carts and inks from Octoinkjet from the start.

What is the life-cycle of after-market carts? Do they need to be purged or should they just be discarded and replaced? And is there an optimum number of refills before my print heads become vulnerable?

Any pointers would be welcome!

 

[The Hat]

No is the answer but it’s also yes, just continue to use the cartridges as normal but if you should notice that your output is not as good as it’s suppose to be (Ink starvation) then purging the affected cartridge will usually cure the problem.

The lifespan of your cartridges will be determined by how much you use or abuse them so you’ll be the first to know if they start to play up, just give them the same attention you would with any OEM cartridge.

Here is a test print you can use to check the output of each cartridge, after a refill and proper nozzle print, if it can print two of these sheets if will print anything for you successfully.

Happy refilling..

 

[andy_48]

Thanks, Hat. I'll give this a go next refill.
Andy

 

[Dan Yeager]

Nice test print. Can I download it?

 

[Pentode]

Right click on picture then click 'Save as' in a location of your choice.

Dave

 

[The Hat]

Nice test print. Can I download it?

Yes you most certainly can, just do as @Pentode suggested or right click and copy to your preferred print App. and paste..

 

[bhill]

Is there a limit to how many reset-refill cycles we can get out of the CLI-42 carts? I imagine the chip has a finite number of times it can be re-flashed, and is there a source for these chips?

 

[PeterBJ]

CLI-42 and CLI-8 cartridges are identical except for the chip, so the CLI-42 cartridges might last 50-100 refills or more. See this post by @jimbo123 .

 

[floK]

I'm still hesitating between buying refillable ARC cartridges and refilling the OEM cartridges, for my new IX6850.
Normally, refilling the OEMs is better, but more expensive as initial costs: a chip resetter for PGI-550/CLI-551 costs 60 Euro (here) and a Fill Bill ((that seems to be the only convenient way to refill the opaque cartridges) costs 100 euro!
At least for me, who doesn't print too much (usually 20-30 A3 size architecture blueprints and 5-10 A4 size full color presentations/week), this investment does not seem to be too justified.
On the other hand, a set of refillable ARC cartridges costs only 25-30 euro (if bought from Octoinkjet, or Prodinks, or Octopus-office) and even 10 $ if bought from Aliexpress. But I have read some opinions (for example, this one) that there are not so good for the printheads' health.
@The Hat, what you say here:

just continue to use the cartridges as normal but if you should notice that your output is not as good as it’s suppose to be (Ink starvation) then purging the affected cartridge will usually cure the problem.

sounds soothing, but when the "not so good" output is observed, it couldn't be too late (I mean, the printheads couldn't be already damaged)?

 

[The Hat]

Using refillable cartridges with ARC chips in your iX6850 is as good an option as refilling your OEM cartridges will be, because your OEM setup cartridges will take very little ink and are not that easy to refill.

The refillable cartridges are better but some come with different types of ARC chip so you must keep a good eye on them each time you want to print.

The warning about not using refillable cartridges comes from @jtoolman but he is specifically referring to the Pro 100 and not the iX6850 printer..