Question about external waste tank

[Peter81]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum, I have a question about external waste ink tanks. This probably has been asked before, but I can't find it anywhere, so apologies if that's the case.

I have been using the R1900 with refillable cartridges, and I got the message "some parts of your printer have reached the end of their life".
I know I can reset the waste ink counter using WicReset and fit an external tank, my question is, is that all I have to do to keep the printer going?
Aren't there any pads or other parts that should be replaced after each reset? I don't know exactly how an inkjet works regarding waste ink, does the ink absorbed by the pads used for borderless printing for instance end up in the same waste tank or should these be replaced as well?

 

[jtoolman]

Yes the secondary pads that collect overspray are actually right in front and down of the printer where the print head normally traverses. The foam that you see along the platen is what collects it. There may be others that websnail or milking can comment about.
However, since you should have installed an external waste ink bottle when the printer was actually much newer, now you have a possible mess in your hands. Two choices, you could install a bottle now, reset and continue to print. OR you have the pads replaced which is very costly.
Depending on the model, some pads when they reach theoretical saturation point are really saturated and will not allow you to just reset. Some others will actually only be about half fun. Suggestion.... Don't till the print on it's side to find out.

WIC will reset both your regular and overspray counters at 8-9$ a pop.

The Tech use a piece of software referred to as Adjustment Programs which not only reset the counters but perform all sorts of operations best left to those who know ( Not me ). I have many of them for most EPSON models since I have to take care of 15 printers. The best thing about these programs is that they can be used indefinitely on a particular EPSON printer.

Where are you located?

 

[Peter81]

Thanks jtoolman.
Just to clarify, if I had installed the external tank before, would the ink pads never need replacing? That's exactly what I am not sure about, are those pads somehow connected or drain to the same tank as the ink from cleaning does? Or do they eventually need to be replaced no matter what?

I live in Germany by the way.

(I somehow managed to double post, and I can't find an option to delete the second post, sorry about that!)

 

[jtoolman]

There are two tubes that emerge from the purge pad and drain ink onto the main waste pads.
I have never taken a R1900 apart so can not comment on the actual internal structure of the waste pads.
However, had you connected a waste ink bottle from the beginning, you should have only the ink used up during the initialization of the printer.

I asked where you were from because the ADJ Progs I have are only for USA coded machines. I could have provided you with the R1900 one but I do not believe it would work.

Your choice here is to get the WIC and buy a reset key for it.
Install the bottle at this time and you should be able to continue printing for quite a while, assuming your printer is still mechanically sound.

Joe

 

[websnail]

Just to clarify and add to the information already provided...

There's effectively two channels through which waste ink is generated:

1. Through the pump system which handles printhead cleaning, cartridge priming (when new cartridges are installed) and most regular maintenance routines where small amounts of ink are sucked through the nozzles.

2. Overspray from borderless printing (and in some cases) ink dumps to the sump located on the left of the printhead run (not all models have this).


The first route is the one that external waste kits deal with as it's the one that produces the bulk of waste ink which is why the main pad is much larger. The second is obviously an issue if your printing is primarily borderless printing and if/when your printer model dumps ink into the sump. The amount of ink generated this way is considerably less than the former though. This second system usually dumps to the platen pad although some designs with sumps channel to the main pad.

There's 500+ models of printer so bear with me a little on the fudge factor


In an ideal world you'd fit an external waste ink tank to the printer after about a month or so (just to be sure the printer wasn't a duff one to begin with) and thus avoid soiling your pads... but most folk find out about this issue, as you have, after that first warning. The good news is that most printers have a reasonable amount of excess capacity still in the pads so you should be able to fit a waste ink tank now, reset and carry on. The caveat is that, if you're doing a lot of borderless printing you aren't really covered by the external tank so your mileage may vary and you'll want to watch out for any soiling on the underside of your prints and/or obvious puddling along the platen (sponge under the printhead path).


In terms of servicing, etc... Epson service centres appear to be hard coded into the "Buy a new one" mode although the reasons for this aren't clear my guess is that desktops are simply annoyances for them because they're not designed for maintenance. But, if you can find a service centre with a good reputation it is often worth getting the printer serviced properly so that pads are all changed, parts greased, and/or replaced as required (eg: plastic cogs that have worn) BUT be clear on what you can expect from a service before you hand your printer over and it may well pay to get the quote with works included in writing. I say this because I've been getting more and more reports from my own customers who have had experiences of service centres charging upwards of 150 to reset the waste counter and naff all else which is just criminal. Not all but enough that it warrants the suggestion I've made above.


As for resetting, the R1900 is covered by a Windows compatible (XP, vista, 7 - yes // 8 - ??) AdjProg service utility which is not the same as the IPR utilities provided in the US/Canada.


Think that about covers everything but I'll update if anything else occurs.

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

Hasn't anyone figured out where to cut a hole in a printer with a hot knife so you can just take a 60ml or larger syringe with some aquarium tubing and drain the tank (for those of us who either didn't do it, or bought a used printer?) yet? Maybe even big enough so you can get the pads out with tweezers. C'mon, so many innovators here, someone should have figured this one out ages ago!

 

[turbguy]

If you printer has waste ink PADS (diapers), then you will not be able to suck out anything with a syringe, as it has been absorbed into fiber pads. Most home inkjet printers have pads. The installation of a waste ink TANK to collect the waste ink by intercepting it on it's way to the pads was solved long ago, with plenty of "purchaseable" solutions available....including installation instructions. When new printers are released, it takes some time for reliable third party solutions to hit the market.

Wayne

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

The problem is some people didn't know they were supposed to do this, bought a used printer, or decided not to do it even though they knew they should.

The syringe suggestion was because there's a point when the pads can't absorb any more and there have been reports of printers leaking ink when moved. Even before the first reset cycle. There's got to be a spot to cut a hole so you can get a syringe with a long needle or tube in there. Or even be able to actually replace the pads.