Digital BW, The Print

On 16/12/2007 Myron Gochnauer wrote:
> Do any of you have any idea why an Epson 2200 would very suddenly (but
> consistenly, now) almost completely stop printing one or more "colors"
> part way through something like an 11x17 print?

All too familiar here with a 1290 (using G4 pigments in a CIS). It is due 
to partially blocked microfilters in the head. Under the feed spigots that 
penetrate the cart. seals, there are small filters that are present to 
prevent particles reaching the heads. Over time they block and become 
unable to feed sufficient ink under continuous high demand. The filters 
are not replaceable, they are integral to the head.

You can attempt to clean the filters using a syringe with tube that fits 
over the spigot. A cleaning solution of Windex/Windowlene clear, distilled 
water and isopropanol is used with a little push-pull action of the syringe.

However I found this completely useless and eventually gave up and 
replaced the head. On a 1290 this is an easy 15 minute DIY proposition, 
requiring just a couple of screwdrivers, a bit of common sense and no 
special alignment tools or software, and it cost half what Epson charge. 
Epson do also change the waste pad and zero its counter, and wipe the 
inside with an oily rag and give a warranty, of course. But that was no 
use to me anyway because I was using a CIS with Generations pigment inks.

I think the 2100/2200 are pretty similar designs to the 1290, so this 
might be viable for you - but check no engineer alignment s/w is needed, 
as it is on some models.

In UK a new head can be got from
Unicomp Ltd
01732 781400
Bourne Estate
Borough Green  TN15 8DG

Intriguingly, the new head was far better behaved than the original, which 
had tended to clog quite often. The new one never did, which makes me 
think there are some mfr. quality/consistency issues there. However 9m 
later the microfilter on the Y channel clogged up again.

I'm now finished with 1290's and won't be buying any more Epson 'amateur' 
printers.

-- 
Regards

Tony Sleep
http://tonysleep.co.uk