Question:

I bought a printer from DTG PRO a year ago and have only used it for about four months. I've had problems with the white ink and the printhead getting clogged, leading me to replace four printheads already. About five months ago, during a video call with a technician, the printhead started slamming to the left side of the machine. The technician suggested that the CR encoder might be out of place. After watching Kevin's YouTube videos, I ordered new ink lines, a new capping station, new dampers, new white ink, and a white ink motor. I installed all these components and referred to the manual for the RIP software settings. When I turned the machine on, it remained inactive for a minute, then made a clicking sound, and the printhead slammed to the left again. I also bought a new encoder but am unsure if I installed it correctly. Should it be slipped through the back of the carriage, and is there a specific groove it needs to fit into? I'm really frustrated and wondering if you buy these machines or offer trade-ins for simpler models. I also bought the roll feeder and the heat station. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:

Thank you for contacting us. We at BCH Technologies are grateful for your engagement and support, particularly regarding our YouTube channel, BCH Technologies YouTube Channel. Your feedback plays a crucial role in further developing our technical expertise.

The DTG PRO printer is a dependable machine, widely appreciated for its performance when properly maintained. Given your issues with the white ink clogging and the printhead slamming, it’s crucial to re-examine your daily maintenance routine.

First, let's address the issue of the printhead slamming to the left. This behavior often indicates a problem with the 13-pin CR Encoder sensor cable. Ensure that this cable is securely connected to the mainboard. You can find the appropriate cable here for your reference.

Next, verify that the clear timing belt you purchased is clean and correctly installed. Typically, the cable has a small triangle marking that should point up, though in practice, Epson often installs it with the arrow pointing down. Therefore, the direction might not be an issue, but the installation must be secure.

For further assistance with installation and troubleshooting, I recommend watching this video, which provides comprehensive instructions. Note that some printer models, like the Model J, use glue instead of screws for the CR encoder sensor board. This design can cause the board to become wobbly or even detach, resulting in malfunction.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which might result in a few weeks' wait before we can get your printer for drop-off or mail-in services.

Our services include repairing entire printers or specific parts, with clear instructions for mail-in or local drop-off services. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend resorting to self-help via online research. Start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage. Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to find specific videos. With hundreds of videos created over the past nine years, using YouTube's search function is the most efficient way to locate the information you need. Additionally, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

We appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you again for reaching out and supporting BCH Technologies.