Epson Printer problems...

BertieUK

Epson problems...

Since the year 2000 I have purchased the following...

Epson Photo-scanner
Epson Stylus Photo R200
Epson Stylus DX4000
Epson SX415

During these years the above models have performed in the manner they were designed, except the last one that I purchased, in June of last year, namely the Epson SX415, this model has given me problems from almost the beginning, in that the black nozzle keeps getting blocked and needing cleaning far too often.

Now when I print it will run beautifully for a few times, then parts of the printing gets missed and needs cleaning.

My concern is that when I go through the Head Cleaning process, sometimes 3 cleans, it uses so much ink, that it is getting far too costly to run, at £12 per Epson Cartridge, and being a pensioner this is not acceptable.

Could I ask the Forum if there is a printer on the market without these problems, that they would recommend please.

Kind regards

Bob

PS...
Would it maybe an idea to purchase a second hand model of a reputable make?

fwor

I've had similar problems with Epsons in the past - particularly if they are used infrequently.

Canon printers seem to be better for this type of use, and they seem to be fine with non-original chipped (cheap!) cartridges.

Make sure that you understand how to power-off your printer properly. Most Canon printers, for example ~must~ be turned off at the printer's own control panel. If you turn off at the mains the printer cannot go through the head capping procedure, and the heads dry out and block up.

BertieUK

fwor Many thanks for your input.

I take your point re Canon printers switching off proceedure, worth remembering thanks.

I have always used the original Epson Cartridges, and at around £12 a time, so I cannot blame that for my problems.
kind regards
Bob

santer_2

Do you use genuine inks in all the printers? Or have they been replaced leaving just the SX415?

Would you consider using compatibles?

andy2004

Would suggest using compatibles, I have a sx200 printer, used the epson cartridges until they run out, and used compatibles with it ever since, never had a problem. prints just as good with compatibles as with originals
difference in price.
epson expensive for a set
compatibles about 50p each so £2 a set via ebay.

via ebay i use Ink-Power not the cheapest but never had a problem with them. now that prices are dropping and ink-power is keeping theres a little higher. i'm thinking of switching to another seller but expect prices for compatibles to be 50-75p per cartridge depending on how many you buy.

Here is an example and probably the next company i'm going to buy from. recommended on here by someone
note this is for 12 compatible cartridges or 3 full sets.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-INK-FOR-EPSON-STYLUS-SX110-SX115-SX215-SX410-SX415-/150461544333?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_Printing_PrinterInkCatridges_JN&hash=item230834f78d

seems the sx200 and sx415 use the same cartridges.

BertieUK

santer Thanks for your input. All the printers quoted have been replaced by the SX415 and yes I would consider using compatables, seeing that I could save quite a massive saving as you would probably confirm reading the post from andy 2004.
Kind regards
Bob

BertieUK

andy2004 Thanks for your input.

Wow your comments have certainly caught my attention that is a massive saving from £12 a throw.,

My order is on its way as we speak. Thanks for your time in replying to my problem.

Kind regards
Bob

santer_2

Hello BertieUK

I have a couple of SX415 so could you let me know how much ink is in a cartridge please

I also use a number of Epson printers, all with compatibles or refillable cartridges

With a pair of PX800FW I ran one with genuine inks, one with compatibles, printed the same image on the same paper type and no one can tell the difference.

If you do not use the printer very often, you could use a piece of plain paper to print a nozzle check every other day to keep the inks fluid as it were. Turn the paper over to re-use then cut the printed piece off and keep using the same piece of paper until it is too small to print on.

Genuine inks supposedly have an anti clog agent which some compatibles may not have, hence the need to print something or run a nozzle check more often.

If you get the same type of clogging with the black ink using compatibles and the printer is still in warranty, contact Epson, as something may be wrong with the printer.

During office hours

http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/cms/index/6

If you do contact Epson, don't mention compatibles

BertieUK

santer Again I thank you for your input.

You ask how much ink is in a cartridge, well looking at the information on each cartridge I cannot see where to find that information, there are a numbers and letters that identify the cartridge name. No volume that I can see. Maybe you think that the Epson cartridges have more ink in them, perhaps, but I will check on an empty cartridge when one cones out as I cant turn a full one upside down.

I take note of your suggestion of a nozzle check every other day to check the nozzle printout.

The SX415 was purchased in June of last year and was not used until the August but is still out of warranty, but today I wrote to Epson and gave them a run down of my problen and see what answers they come up with.

Thank you for your interest it is appretiated.
regards
Bob

santer_2

Genuine usually may have 6.5ml of ink and compatibles vary between 13ml and 19ml

I looked at the ebay link and didn't see how much those have so if you order any of those, I would be interested to know about the ink content.

I use refillables in the PX800FW

http://www.inkexpress.co.uk/catalogue/Refillable-Ink-Cartridges/Epson/Stylus-Photo-PX800FW/T0807_empty.html

ebay have cheaper ones or ones cheaper

http://www.inkexpress.co.uk/catalogue/Refillable-Ink-Cartridges/Epson/Stylus-SX415/T0715_empty.html

Am currently testing inks from here, and am putting 1ml of head flush into each bottle in an attempt to emulate the anti clog which is in the genuine ones

http://shop.ink.co.uk/shop/subcategory/catid/D-Epson/subcatid/Epson+Stylus+Photo+PX800FW&prodanz=6&order=verfuegbarkeit/site/3/lng/en_EN?shopid=4f0281c367574c7561358c42e0431ed3&visitid=&refid=

So far, a set of six refills at 13ml is costing 70p which is good if you do a lot of printing

Hope Epson reply favourably

BertieUK

santer Again many thanks for your input.

This post is getting more interesting as it proceeds, checking on the base of one cartridge is indeed the numbers 6.5 which ties up with the figure that you quote. Indeed when I get my supply of 'compatables' I will certainly check the quantity of ink that each contain. Amazing that compatables could contain around double quantity.

I am very interested in your testing programme of adding 1ml of head flush into each bottle to emulate the anti clog that is contained in the genuine ones.

As promised I will check quantities from the two suppliers that I have ordered in from when they arrive, thanking you once again for your very interesting information.

Kind regards
Bob