clogged print heads...

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dacflyer
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clogged print heads...

Post by dacflyer »

does anyone have any sure fire ways of how to clean clogged print heads ?
or know where to find any safe chemical to use on them ?
i have tried to find print head cleaner at the local office supply stores, but any i do find are only in the ink refill kits.
the printer i have is a older model Epson stylus C84
i have tried using warm water to dissolve the dried ink,, it has worked for the most part.
i been using a syringe and a small piece of tubing to flush the print head thru the ink ports.
it has helped a lot, but i still have a small section in the black and yellow sections that's being stubborn
anyone have some advice.?
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Janitor Tzap
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by Janitor Tzap »

You can try using warm water in a ultrasonic cleaner,
and see if that clears the jet nozzles.
Otherwise just throw it out, and get a new cartridge.

I've talked too an ink supplier, and he told me that some of the cheap
cartridges can only be refilled once or twice before the nozzles wear out.
Or simply get to badly clogged to work.

I wouldn't spend to much time on it.
It sound like you have gotten more than enough use out of it.


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Dean Huster
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by Dean Huster »

This is why they make laser printers. Much cheaper to operate and faster. No clogs.
Dean Huster, Electronics Curmudgeon
Contributing Editor emeritus, "Q & A", of the former "Poptronics" magazine (formerly "Popular Electronics" and "Electronics Now" magazines).

R.I.P.
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dacflyer
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by dacflyer »

well this EPSON printer has ink cartridges, they do not have a print head on them,, the print head is separate from the ink.
i have decided to junk it. in favor of finding a new printer that has replaceable cartridges that have built in print heads.

i know HP and Lexmark have them.
anyone have recommendations ? i need one that's either wireless or USB

if its wireless will it work thru my wireless eithernet connection or do i need something different ?
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by Janitor Tzap »

dacflyer wrote:well this EPSON printer has ink cartridges, they do not have a print head on them,, the print head is separate from the ink.
i have decided to junk it. in favor of finding a new printer that has replaceable cartridges that have built in print heads.
Can you remove the print head easily?
If so.....
Then put it into a bath of warm water in a ultrasonic cleaner.
Run it for 10 to 20 seconds.
Check if the jet nozzles are still clogged.
Yes, repeat treatment of the head, and check again.
Note: You may need to repeat the treatment of the head several times.
But wait 5 minutes between treatments.

Plastic's in the print head could heat up and melt.
Also, for each treatment, do not go over 20 second in the ultrasonic cleaner.

After all that, you still can't get the jet nozzles to work.
Chuck it.
dacflyer wrote:i know HP and Lexmark have them.
anyone have recommendations ? i need one that's either wireless or USB

if its wireless will it work thru my wireless eithernet connection or do i need something different ?
You can get wireless printers that can be setup like on a WAN.
But you are going to pay more for the printer.
Most new printers are USB, the old parallel port has pretty much been replaced by it.

As Dean pointed out......
It maybe time for you to bite the bullet and get a Color Laser Printer.
True the initial cost could be spendy.
But for the long term, a much better buy.
Since you won't be needing to get expensive refills every few months.


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dacflyer
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by dacflyer »

i do not do do enough printing to make it worth buying a lazer printer.
as for removing the print head...unremovable without destruction.. so its headed to recycle pile..

i have a old HP printer, but its a parallel port... i bought a usb adapter, its supposed to be plug-n-play
the laptop recognizes the adapter, and i have the drivers in the laptop for printer, and i have it set to be used in USB mode, but it will not communicate with printer.. i just cannot win..lol
so i am on the search for a cheapo printer that uses cartridges with built in heads.
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by Janitor Tzap »

dacflyer wrote:I do not do enough printing to make it worth buying a lazer printer.
I did a check on Color Laser Printers that are Wireless.

To my surprise I found many that are under $300.00.
And these three will fit your needs nicely.

Samsung CLP-325W Laser Printer - Color - Plain Paper Print - Desktop - Wi-Fi.
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/prin ... C-features
El-Cheapo printer for $107 online.

HP Color LaserJet Pro CP1525nw Color Laser printer - 12 ppm - 150 sheets
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/me/en/ho ... html?dnr=1
Better quality printer: $216 online.

Lexmark C540DW Wireless Color Laser Printer 26A0150
http://www1.lexmark.com/US/en/catalog/p ... #tab-specs
Best quality printer for the money: $228 online.


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reloadron
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by reloadron »

I have gotten my best results cleaning the Epson print heads using a mix 50/50 of isopropanol alcohol and water. Works well if you can get a syringe to force the mixture through.

Ron
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dacflyer
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by dacflyer »

eh, maybe next time.. i have given up on the unit..wasted too much time on it..
its in the scrap pile now.. (recyclables)
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by Externet »

Acetone.
- Abolish the deciBel ! -
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frhrwa
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by frhrwa »

Kodak ESP 9250.... I don't even allow HP in my house anymore.. got plenty of Lexmarks either new or dang near new sitting around, some in boxes, some not.. but I don't think any are wireless, .. will look.. I still really like the Kodak printer
JESUS”…… don’t leave EARTH without HIM!
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dacflyer
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by dacflyer »

whats so bad about HP ? besides the ink being on the $$$ side ?
i have a old 820c that's been a good work horse. i have only kept it because i have a free ink cartridge source when needed :P but it might not last too much longer..lol
its a old LPT printer.
i do not know anything about the newer models.
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by haklesup »

I had clogged print heads once, had to use a plunger to get them out of the toilet. (lol) just kidding but that's how I feel about ink jets. I've tried most of the ink jet technologies.

BTW, Acetone will likly melt the plastic. The ink is almost always water soluable and may not dissolve in acetone anyway, isopropyl has enough water in it to work in general

Been doing OK with an HP 3 in 1 for a couple years now but if it bites it, I think Kodak is next in line (if Kodak is still in business by then that is). Either that or a low cost color laser picked up on a black friday at frys supported by ebay refill toner.

I've been known to siphon ink out of any (obsolete or unneeded) ink cartridge I can get my hands on to refill the one I need. I'm not picky about photo color or archival longevity. Most prints are business or text in nature. Most cartridges can be refilled 2-6 times before they are clogged beyond acceptable effort.
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Re: clogged print heads...

Post by dacflyer »

yet another reason i hate printers with built in print heads..
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