How to Properly Fill Dampers on Epson ET-8550 Printers

Q&A: Filling the Ink Damper on Epson ET-8550 Printers

Question: I attempted to fill the damper for my black ink on the ET-8550, but the ink just came out on the paper towel instead of staying in the damper. Is this normal?

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

Regarding your Epson ET-8550 printer, the behavior you're describing is indeed normal. The ET-8550 dampers are designed to be installed empty. Once installed, you should use the printer's ink initiation or power charge function to fill them with ink. However, these functions are not always accessible to customers and the power charge function puts a lot of stress on the printhead and sometimes damage it.

Here are some detailed steps to help you fill the dampers:

1. Install the Dampers: Place the empty dampers into the printer as per the standard installation process.
2. Create an Airtight Seal: Park the printhead carriage on the capping station, which creates an airtight seal around the printhead.
3. Use a Syringe: Insert a syringe into the waste tube, which is connected to the capping station. By creating suction through the waste tube, you can draw ink from the printhead into the dampers. This method works well if your printer is not clogged.
4. Clearing Clogs: If your printer is clogged, the above method might not work. Instead, you can use a syringe with a tube to push ink through the damper's ink intake (the connection between the damper and the tube). This method not only fills the dampers but also helps clear out any clogs in the system.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For instance, resolving a simple clog might involve advice on unclogging procedures. However, if the printer remained inactive during downtime, a comprehensive service for the ink system could be necessary. Situations like a "paper jam" can arise from hundreds of potential causes, and solving such an issue has become something of an in-office jest. So, 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. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off or mail it to us. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed if you opt for mail-in or local drop-off services. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage. Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for contacting us. We hope this information helps you resolve the issue with filling the dampers on your Epson ET-8550 printer. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to reach out.