Step-by-Step Guide: How to Refill Dampers on Your Epson ET-8550 Printer

Question:

I recently replaced the dampers on my Epson ET-8550 printer. How do I refill them to get the printer running again?

Answer:

To refill the dampers on your Epson ET-8550 after replacement, here’s a detailed process:

1. Parking the Printhead on the Capping Station: Turn on the printer and allow the printhead to settle naturally on the capping station. It’s safe to do this while the power is on. Since DTF ink is thicker than regular ink, it may require additional effort to get the printhead started. Once the printhead is parked, connect a syringe and tube to the printer’s waste line and gently draw 2 ml of air. Begin by drawing 1.5 ml—at this point, you should feel slight resistance. If you only draw air, the printhead may not be properly parked, or there could be a leak in the capping station’s seal. If you encounter complete resistance and cannot draw anything out, the capping station might be clogged and will need to be resolved before proceeding.

2. Refilling and Priming the Dampers: After drawing 1.5 ml, you may hear the damper membrane crinkle, indicating that the nozzles are open. Continue slowly drawing up to the 2 ml mark, ensuring the black rubber seal passes this point, and hold for 10 seconds. Follow this step with the printer’s regular cleaning routine to finalize the process. Avoid using the strong cleaning feature within 12 hours, and do not perform consecutive cleanings without allowing the printer to rest.

3. Alternative Methods: Another effective method is to use a syringe filled halfway with ink. Park the printhead, connect the syringe to the damper’s input with a tube, and slowly draw air out before releasing the syringe. This should draw some ink into the damper and help prime the printhead. Additionally, you can use the printer’s built-in ink charge feature. By reinstalling the printer driver, the setup dialog will ask if the printer is charged with ink. Selecting “No” will initiate the ink charge process. However, this method is not ideal as it consumes a significant amount of ink and may strain the printer’s components.

Additional Note:

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 (BCH Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/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. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. 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 (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). 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.