Old Ink - New Printer

[bwyman]

Does anyone know of a chart or table that is available on the net showing the key characteristics of the inks used in various printers. I am sure that ink kit companies have all this info but I expect it is also a jealously guarded trade secret.

I have used refill kits successfully for years. I am now on my third inkjet printer and still have considerable unused ink for my old printers, I would like to know if I can safely use the old ink to refill the cartridges in my new printer.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[marceltho]

So what was your last printer and now your new printer?
Which ink do you still have and how old is it?

 

[Tin Ho]

Generally newer inks are improved over the old ones. But it could be an improvement over the cost only. Canon Chromalife+ is a newer Canon OEM ink over the Chromalife. I fail to see any quality improvement other guessing that it is probably only a cost improvement for Canon.

If your old ink is over 2 years old it is a common consensus that it is no good any more. It's not worth the risk of your precious print head.

 

[fotofreek]

There is also concern if you are switching from Epson to Canon or the opposite. These manufacturers use different technology to put ink to paper and their inks have somewhat different characteristics. You also must be careful to not use pigment based inks in a dye based printer.

 

[bwyman]

Thank you all very much for your comments.

Our current printer is a Canon MP610 which is a considerable upgrade from our two previous entry level printers. I can't remember the actual model numbers but our first was a Canon BJ series that took cartridges BC-20 and BCI-21. Second printer was a Lexmark that took their cartridges numbered 32 and 33.

The canon ink is about 7 years old. The Lexmark ink is 3 or 4 years old. The inks have been stored in the our basement in the dark if that makes any difference.

It seems a pity to toss it but it sounds as if that is the prudent thing to do.

Can anyone tell me if there are environmental issues with disposal? One of our reasons for refilling cartridges is environmental. I don't want to just pour the ink down the sink if it contains toxic substances.

Thank you all again. This forum seems to be a wonderful resource.

 

[fotofreek]

Ink vendors suggest a two year shelf life. I would throw out the ink you have that is three to seven years old. Not worth messing up a new printer. I also don't know if the Lexmark ink would be suitable for the Canon. Not worth the chance that you would be shopping soon for a new printhead!

 

[leo8088]

Algae may grow in some brand of ink. Watch your ink bottles if they have been sitting there for 6 months or longer. You can see it in the bottle or in the cartridge. Warm temperature and high humidity can trigger algae growth. Algae in the ink causes ink flow to change or reduce which could be harmful to the print head.

 

[pharmacist]

A general good rule is that you use ink optimized for the boiling technique (bubblejet) for Canon, HP, Lexmark and for the piezographic technique in Epson and Brother. I actually use Canon ink to refill HP cartridges and it works very well without any problems and even the colours are very acceptable, since both manufacturers do use the bubblejet technology. With the latest separate printhead + inktanks in HP printers (HP 364) the chances have increased to have even more success with Canon optimized ink in these HP printers.

 

[mizhop]

I want to thank you guys for this wealth of information! I'm a dedicated veteran ink-jet refiller, and dearly miss my old multi-function Lexmark 6170 that, surprisingly, given their awful reputation these past years, beat the odds and lasted well over 10 trouble-free years.

Anyway, this post mostly answered my question. I had to give up my Lexmark as it would not function with Win7, and so I now have a Canon MX870, but still have relatively new ink for that Lexmark. Less than 2 years, I would say. As fotofreek stated, I do not know if this Canon uses dye-based ink, though I know that the Lexmark used pigment ink, and do not want to mess up the Canon with the Lexmark stuff, but it really seems a shame to throw the stuff out. What a waste. There's a LOT left over. <sighs>

I've gone ahead and ordered a new refill kit for the Canon that includes the cartridges that have resettable chips. Pretty awesome! Thanks again for the very useful forum guys...