Troubleshooting Epson 7890 Clogging Issues During DTF Printer Conversion

Question:

I just bought an Epson 7890 that has been sitting for a few years. I'm trying to convert it to a DTF printer. I used distilled water and cleaning solution in empty refillable cartridges to flush out the ink. Initially, the cyan and magenta channels were clogged. After multiple cleanings and flushing the printhead with Piezoflush, the cyan is no longer clogged, but magenta and yellow are still clogged. Even after multiple cleanings (CL1, CL2, and CL3), I still don't get a full pattern. When I ran a purge pattern with magenta and yellow (with Piezoflush and distilled water mix still in the ink lines), there was subtle banding. Please advise as I'm feeling quite lost.

Answer:

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

Converting an Epson 7890 to a DTF printer can be challenging, especially if the printer has been idle for years. Let's go through some steps to address the clogging issues you're experiencing with the magenta and yellow channels.

Steps to Address Clogging in Epson 7890 for DTF Conversion

1. Continued Flushing with Epson Built-in function: Since the magenta and yellow channels are still clogged, continue using distilled water to flush them. It's good that you're using it, but it may require multiple cycles. Ensure to run the flushing cycles several times to dissolve any dried ink completely. If you use the "power clean" function on the printer, Epson suggests at least a 12-hour interval between cycles. Allow enough time for the printer to recover between each cycle.
2. Manual Printhead Cleaning:
   • Carefully remove the printhead if you feel comfortable doing so.
   • Soak the printhead in a shallow dish of distilled water or cleaning solution. Ensure that only the nozzle area is submerged to prevent damage to electronic components.
   • Let it soak for a few hours or overnight, then gently clean the nozzles with a lint-free cloth.
   • If you decide on manual flushing, do not force it. If you cannot push forward without effort, the printhead may be clogged beyond manual cleaning. Store the printhead and try again after 24 hours. If it remains clogged after a week, it may need to be discarded.
3. Printhead Alignment and Maintenance:
   • After cleaning, perform a printhead alignment to ensure the nozzles are properly aligned.
   • Run the printer's maintenance cycle, focusing on cleaning and alignment functions.
4. Test Prints and Purge Patterns:
   • After the printhead has been cleaned, run test prints to see if the clogs are cleared.
   • If banding persists, run purge patterns using the cleaning solution and distilled water mix until the print is clear and free of banding.
5. Inspect Ink Lines and Dampers:
   • Sometimes, the issue can be with the ink lines or dampers rather than the printhead. Check the ink lines for any blockages and ensure that the dampers are not clogged.
   • If necessary, replace the dampers and thoroughly clean the ink lines with cleaning solution.

Additional Tips

• Gradual Introduction of DTF Ink: Once you see improvement and the purge patterns are clear, gradually introduce the DTF ink into the system. Start with small amounts and run cleaning cycles to ensure a smooth transition.
• Regular Maintenance: To prevent future clogging, schedule regular maintenance and cleaning cycles, especially if the printer is not used frequently.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. 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 at BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service. 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 reaching out. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.