Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

Like the subject states, the 2nd Epson R1800 I've owned has a clogged head. Each lasted two years. Short of taking the printer apart to suction out the clogged head, I've tried everything. So now I think it's between the Canon 9000 and HP B8800.

I'm mostly an amateur, camera club guy. But have sold many prints at a few craft fairs.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Pros and Cons of each printer?

I'd like to have a wider range of paper I could print on as opposed to the R1800. Canvas for example. Also, I'd like black and white printing in addition to color (the R1800 didn't do true b&w).

Thanks.

I have been using a Canon i9100 (13"x19") photo printer since mid 2003. Changed print head once, but have never experienced any clogging problems.

Hi jbhaber,

May I ask you about your printer?  I am curious about your R1800 because I've owned two of them for a couple of years now without any issues.  Do you use them regularly and do you use epson inks?

Thanks,

Eljae

I'm surprised at this; I have an R800 (A4 version of R1800) and have very little trouble with it. I have heard of someone who left one, un-used for a year, then fired it up, replaced a couple of cartridges and was printing within a short space of time.
I too would ask what inks are you using? Also, do you switch it off so that the heads park properly and do you allow the cartridges to run out completely before changing? The latter is particularly important and it's false economy to run them completely dry.
Terry.

Ditto here too.
I have an R 1800 that never fails me, and I love it.
I do adhere strongly to what Terry said. False economy to try to squeeze the last drop of ink out of every cartridge, and I *only* use Epson inks.
If you don't print at least once a week, it might be a good idea to make a print or two each week. The cartridges get charged and the ink cleans.

Fred

I think the point here is that whatever make of printer (HP a possible exception), taking sensible precautions on how you use a printer is essential to prevent clogs. HP is an exception because, I understand, each cartridge contains a "head" so gets replaced every time the cartridge is replaced. However, clogs between replacements could occur if precautions are ignored.
Terry.

Hi everyone. I just re-found this forum, as I had to take a few months off to handle some elder-care issues. It's good to see the same folks here that used to be at the Yahoo group.

1) I only used Epson inks.

2) I don't turn off the printer when it's not used. The owners guide makes NO mention of turning off the printer when it is not used for any period of time.

If this is truly a requirement, I think the manual should state it. Better yet, they should build that message into the printer driver or other pop-ups. And also include it on their paper boxes.

It used to be sort of an unwritten rule with printers that you turn them off from the printer on off switch so the heads can "park".
I don't know if that still is the rule of thumb.
Fred

Welcome back  ;D
Turning it off to "park" the head may be a myth, perhaps it applied to older printers, I read it on the old Yahoo forum some time ago.
Terry.

Sorry to hear that, I would hate to see an expensive piece of equipment like that go to waste.  Maybe Epson support could help you find a solution to the problem.  Even if you have decided to use another brand, at least you might be able to recoup' some of the cost if you could sell it as a working R1800.

I have an R2400 that stays on 24/7--closed and covered.  I run a nozzle check/alignment if I haven't used it for a couple of days. 

You may want a 2880.  At least SOMETHING with ABW if you want to start doing good B&W.

Learn whether or not you should be turning your printer off after each use and how it may impact the amount of ink you use.
Transcript

YES!! Turn your printer off at the end of each day and leave it off if you're not using it for extended periods. Resist the urge to use a power bar to turn off the printer. Doing so could prevent the printer from "parking" the print head in the correct position (protective pad or cap inside the printer). This helps prevent ink from drying and clogging inside the print nozzles.

Newer printer models are "Energy Star Compliant" and automatically park the print head after a sustained period of inactivity.

This from http://www.castleink.com/_a-turn-printer-off-video.htm

Terry,

There have been and there still are HP inkjet printers with the head+cart integrated. But they are now the exceptions in the HP range. Many HP inkjet printers have separate carts + tube feeding to the heads. One thing remains of that older concept: the heads are still user replaceable but they last very long now in normal use. For example on the B9180 and B8800 are the same heads used that are on the Z3100-Z3200, Z2100. My Z3100 had no clogs in 28 months and no heads needed a replacement. That's a 44" wide roll printer, the B9180 is an A3+ printer.


met vriendelijke groeten, Ernst Dinkla

Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/

I was able to unclog the heads on the R1800. I placed a few drops of hot water on each pad under the heads, and then parked the heads over the pads. Left it to sit a few hours. I did this twice, and now the heads are fine.

Here's hoping it lasts.

Neat trick, thanks for telling us, just hope I don't need to use it  ;). Lets hope too you get many more prints from the R1800.
Terry.