Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (
More info?)
In article <CGkTd.4642$38.3289@clgrps12>, artistic@telus.net says...
> The Canon head is usually referred to as a semi-permanent head, in that
> it lasts several or even many cartridges. It is not a regular
> consumable, and it's cost is an indication of that, however, it will
> eventually fail, as the nature of thermal heads is to break down over
> time with use.
>
> Epson heads should, at least in theory, last for the life of the
> printer. Some do fail due to what I believe to be a design flaw. That
> majority will give you many years of printing, although they may require
> cleaning to keep them from clogging.
>
> Art
>
>
Being a user of Canon printers for a VERY long time, (since before the BJC-
600) I may have something to contribute:
Going back to the S8## printer series and continuing into the i950, i960 all
the way to the ip3000/4000 et al, a sudden lack of a certain color in the
printout that doesnt seem to clear up after repeated head cleanings can
sometimes be cured this way:
1. Remove ink cartridges
2. Wet a swab with distilled water and Ammonia (about 2 to 5 % mix is good)
3. Carefully, VERY carefully clean the area around the ink-inlet hole in the
catridge holder.. DO NOT CLEAN THE INTAKE HOLE THIS WAY!!!! just the area
around it.
4. Using an eye-dropper or small syringe drip ONE DROP of the water/Ammonia
onto the intake hole.
5. Re-assemble with good, full cartridges.
6. Run a few cleaning cycles.
After doing this there is a good chance the printer will return to full
functionality.
It appears that after a half dozen or so cartridge changes, enough inky
"crud" can build up around the intake and prevent a good "seal" at the
cartridge/mount interface (seems to be rubber), thus allowing the print-head
to get air along with the ink. For some reason this seems to happen around
the "Magenta" intake more than others (at least for me).
I hope someone finds this helpfull.
--
Larry Lynch
Mystic, Ct.