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REFILLING EPSON CARTRIDGES
Basics
Epson Inkjets cartridges are called "Ink Tanks" meaning they do not have a
printhead fitted - All modern - current models are to this design where the
printheads are built inside the machine and not easily removed for
replacement.
Epson inkjet cartridges can be classed into
three main groups
(1) Ink Tanks with sponges
(2) Ink Tanks with sponges and a Chip
(3) Ink Tanks with no sponge inside but with a
chip
Preparation
(If you are
filling an unchipped compatible or Epson cartridge you will need to seal the
ink outlet holes in the bottom of the cartridge with the tape
(For chipped
cartridges - If you are filling a {compatible} cartridge you will need to
seal the ink outlet holes in the bottom of the cartridge with the tape. If
you are refilling a OEM Epson cartridge this step is not necessary.)
If the cartridge is chipped it
requires to be reset before refilling to ensure that the chip is OK
"Universal" style inks will not
perform well in these cartridges. For good results, use euroink specific
Epson inks.
Be sure that you are wearing old clothes,
since the first time you fill the cartridge, you may get some ink on your
clothes and hands. You may wish to wear rubber gloves if you don't want to
stain your hands. We also don't recommend refilling as a family project --
it's amazing what a three-year-old can do with a small bottle of highly
concentrated ink!
Theory
In categories (1) & (2) above the
black and colour cartridges are very simple being little more than
sponge-filled plastic containers. The black has a single chamber and the
colour cartridges is three or five chambered. We will deal with the
refilling method for this type first.
| BLACK
CARTRIDGES |
Method |
COLOUR
CARTRIDGES |
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Fill the
syringe with 15 ml. of black ink to fill the black cartridge. Push
needle through the label into the sponge, (position indicated) slowly
inject ink into the cartridge until the sponge is full. |
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For the colour cartridges fill a syringe
with 6ml. of color ink. Push needle through the label into the sponge of
the colour you are filling. Slowly inject ink into the cartridge until
the sponge is full. |
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Wash syringe thoroughly
between filling with each colour or contamination will result |
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3.
Seal the hole(s) made in the top label
with tape. If the holes are not sealed properly the cartridge will
leak.
4.
Unused ink may be returned to the bottle.
Clean the syringe with water and dry for future use, or use with a
different colour ink.
5.
Run several cleaning cycles as per printer instructions. If necessary
leave cartridge in printer for up to 4 hours this will allow the ink to
flow to the print head. |
Category (3) Cartridges -
These units represent a significant change of
design from the Ink Tanks described above. Epson original cartridges no
longer make use of a sponge to hold the ink and the Epson design is
multichambered i.e. each individual colour is constructed with several
chambers inside
Here we describe two basic ways to refill
these:-
SUCTION
METHOD
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This one is
by suction by using a syringe (empty) and devising a means to fix a tube
type arrangement sealed inside the cartridge body - roughly in the
position shown. By placing the outlet in the appropriate colour of ink
and drawing back the syringe the idea here is that ink will be drawn
inside the cartridge body. Epson cartridges also have a valve
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PASSIVE METHOD
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This method
is a more traditional "drill and fill" method. |
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