Using a printer that has been in store

[telv]

mikem65d's experience would seem to be different!

 

[Apostolos]

mikem65d's experience would seem to be different!

6 months is one thing, 2 years is another.
But besides that, every case is different. It depends of many factors. Storage, location humidity or dryness, prior use, overall maintenance, and yes, the quality of the ink as well. But the rule is that after a 2 year storage, the printer will be clogged more or less. A small percentage telling otherwise, just proves the rule.

 

[telv]

mikem65d's post needs to be considered in its entirety. Not only did he stop using his printer for periods of 6-8 months but the last standstill was for about the same time as mine (i.e. 2 years) The fact he was able to operate it again after this time with so little problem is significant.

I have experimented extensively with Canon compatible ink and found that the degree to which nozzles become blocked can vary very considerably from one ink to another. While there are external factors that will modify the action of the ink, the extent of the problem is primarily a question of quality. Something similar can be expected if a printer hasn't been used for a while and rather than the report by mikem65d being the exception that proves a rule it appears much more likely to be a reflection of the quality of the ink he uses and which he refers to.

It has been suggested that irrespective of the ink the previous owners had used my experience with the printer would have been the same. For the same reason this seems unlikely.

The theory that the degree of blockage in the printhead of an unused printer is down primarily to the quality of ink that was used in it can be tested again when I collect another iP4850 shortly. Although it hasn't been used for three years, which is one year longer, because it has original Canon inks installed I am not expecting to have to soak the printhead in isopropanol for 2 days! Watch this space.

 

[mikem65d]

You might even say i was very neglectful of the i900D too as i had stopped photography and printing for that time and maybe a bit longer. I use to keep the printer covered with a cover made by Compu Covers and even neglected to put that in place.
It was also about that time (2+ years ago) that i had given my Son the Canon 50D along with the i900D i had to use in hopes of him becoming interested. He did in a big way, but my priority had switched to another hobby by then. Just this year i became interested in buying older Minolta cameras such as the A2 and A200 (great cams for their time) and all the acce's. It was then i noticed my poor printer had not been used by my son and it looked like it had come from a yard sale. Of course i then cleaned it up and figured a new print head was going to be needed. Much to my surprise it printed a picture that looked fine, but the nozzle check showed the need to clean.............Since then i have purged these 4-5 year old carts and refilled with PC ink and it works as perfect as the day i bought it. The printer has been in the house in a controlled environment.
My son BTW always went to the local Walgreens to pick up a print he ordered which to me is boring. Now that he see's the Pro-100 (he sold his from the 70D deal) in action, he has become a print nut like me

 

[mikem65d]

I should add too that the Canon carts were in there for around the last 5 years during this standby.

 

[mikem65d]

What's that old saying?..............ya spoke a bit too soon, or have i just been on borrowed time?
Today the I900D that has been reliable through all the abuse i've given it has started showing signs of a clogged head.

Main culprit is the Magenta..........nozzle test that was perfect at first is now showing 1/3 of the M line empty.
Pictures have fine stripes now.
I'll trying soaking the head.

So, hours later...............
Several tries and it's just a confirmed kill

tried different cartridges, no luck.
Oh well, i needed a document printer to use in place of an HP 4500 that has a mind of it's own.
Seems to work fine for this application.

 

[telv]

A TALE OF TWO PRINTERS!

Printer – Canon iP4850
Installed cartridges – Not recognised assumed of Chinese origin
Approx length of time unused – 2 years
Nozzle check – extensive blocks
Clean according to CLS advice to rinse with water
Nozzle check – better but still extensively blocked
Immersed printhead in isopropanol for 12 hours
Ink continuing to come from the printhead. Immersed another 12 hours
Nozzle check – greatly improved but not perfect
Immersed printhead in isopropanol for 24 hours
Nozzle check - Printhead functioning normally

Printer – Canon iP4850
Installed cartridges – Canon original
Approx length of time unused – 3 years
Nozzle check – extensive blocks
Clean according to CLS advice to rinse with water
Nozzle check – dye cartridges mainly clear, pigment black blocked
Allowed printhead to stand for 24 hours then deep clean
Nozzle check - Printhead functioning normally

​

 

[Smile]

A TALE OF TWO PRINTERS!
Immersed printhead in isopropanol for 12 hours

Do you mean isopropyl alcohol? Why not 10% ammonia solution. Isopropyl can damage rubber seals over time.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

I had a Canon 9000 MK II unused for well over a year. Turned it on, ran a test print, perfect.

Try that, Epson!

I wouldn't be surprised that some heads park better than others, whether that varies by make and model, or individual units.