When should I refill ink? Should I wait until printer stops printing?

[OM2]

I've got a Canon MP640
I've got the warning indicator on my PC when I print saying that the main black ink is low

I've ordered and received my ink refill kit from Octoink

When should I refill?

Should I wait until it stops printing?

Thanks


Omar

 

[Bertil]

Of course you should refill at once.Otherwise you risk ruining the printhead.So dont print until you have a chance of refilling.

 

[The Hat]

OM2 When should I refill?

That is really up to you but, I usually refill when the printer is showing the low warning or
you can wait till the printer stops altogether either will do.

If you are going to refill for the first time please take your time and try to get it done without spray
painting everything in sight, if your still a bit unsure read up on it first but above all try to enjoy it..

 

[OM2]

thanks for the advice
i've seen the german video + the ink set came with some detailed instructions

questions:

1. how long would a complete newbie to refilling take!?

2. once you're experienced, how long does it take to refill?

3. i've always been meaning to ask, but why is the german method call the german method? (surely it's not obvious as: it was a german who came up with it!?)

4. i've done lots of reading on refilling - one thing missing is why the german method isn't affected by the vacuum problem? i assume that the ink inside a cartridge needs to be airless - and one reason why u can't 'just' drill a hole anywhere u like and refill?

thanks!

 

[The Hat]

OM2
You have done your homework well and that should make your refilling much easier.
As you are going to use the German method to refill all the cartridges it will take some time
to get started especially with the first one but then you'll become more experience on the second, third etc.

There is no race to refill and no prizes for speed just pure satisfaction so take your time and get it right.
Because you'll have to put a hole in each cartridge (just once) the first fill will take a lot longer,
but then after that you should be able to fill a cartridge in a few minutes with ease.

The German method of refilling is so called because it was first discovered on a German web-site I believe,
but I will be correct on that fact if I am wrong.

As I am a confirmed top filler, I really dont know the inns and outs as to why the German method is so effective
but I do know it works just as well or even better than the top fill method (the jury is still out on that).
Happy refilling..

 

[OM2]

thanks for the info
i'll give the refilling a go over the weekend

 

[fotofreek]

Best to have a spare set of OEM Canon carts filled so you are not pressured to either print too long after the low ink warning comes up or have to stop printing. Hat is wise in telling you that there is no prize for the fastest refiller. I read Neil Slade's info years ago in which he described refilling a cart "on the fly", so to speak. He took the low ink cart out of the printer, sealed the outlet port with his finger (best to do with gloved hands), opened the previously prepared top fill hole, used a syringe to refill, resealed the fill hole, let the cart drip until it stopped to equalize the presure, and then replaced the cart and continued to print. After refilling a few carts I could do it pretty fast. Advocates of the German method do the "on the fly" refills more easily as there is no need to open and reseal the top fill hole.

For top filling, the better way, however, is to have a previously refilled cart, replace the low ink cart, and refill at your leisure. Doing several refills at one sitting is ultimately a time saver. This also confines what little mess there can be, especially when you are just learning. I also prefer to not leave a cart out of the printhead any longer than to replace the low ink cart with a refilled one. Constantly leaving the cart out while refilling could conceivably contribute to an eventuall clog as the ink at the top of the intake screen can dry while you are refilling. Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but it works for me.

 

[OM2]

fotofreek: that's great info and a big help
i think i will do as u say actually and invest in new oem cartridges

but that leads to another question: how do u stop the ink drying out of the spare one?
i asked a similar question in another post and wasn't exactly sure about the answers given
so, would be great to hear what u say

thanks

 

[emerald]

"how do u stop the ink drying out of the spare one?"


Some refillers put a strip of vinyl electrical tape over the nozzle and store the cartridges upright in a soft butter container along with a damp paper towel. I have used that method and it works. However, there's a better way - buy some storage/filling clips: Precision Colors or CompuBiz Inkjet

 

[OM2]

"how do u stop the ink drying out of the spare one?"


Some refillers put a strip of vinyl electrical tape over the nozzle and store the cartridges upright in a soft butter container along with a damp paper towel. I have used that method and it works. However, there's a better way - buy some storage/filling clips: Precision Colors or CompuBiz Inkjet

great - i'd prefer to go for that
thanks