Troubleshooting and Repairing an Epson ET-8550 DTF Printer Conversion
- By Kevin Day
- On Oct 31, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
I purchased a second-hand Epson ET-8550 printer that had already been converted to DTF (Direct to Film). When I first got it, everything worked except for the white ink. We discovered that the printhead was clogged, and after several head cleanings, nothing changed. My husband replaced the printhead and wires and even tried the silicone washers we bought from you. The silicone washers sealed everything except for the blue ink. He then ordered a different style of printhead from you, but after replacing it, the printer kept showing a jam code and wouldn’t complete its cycle. We’ve already spent more than we paid for the printer and want it functional for our business. What would it cost to fix or reassemble the printer?
Answer:
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing the details of your issue. We at BCH Technologies appreciate your engagement, especially your support of our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback is precious and helps us continue improving our technical expertise.
Regarding your Epson ET-8550, you’ve encountered several common issues with DTF conversion, particularly the challenges around the printhead and related parts. You’ve already replaced the printhead and wiring and used silicone washers, which shows you’ve put in considerable effort. The silicone washers were a great choice since the original design of the ET-8550 tends to have weak seals, which can lead to ink leakage and potential damage to the mainboard. However, the issue you're facing with the paper jam error after replacing the printhead could point to deeper mechanical problems.
One notable issue with the ET-8550 is its automatic APG unit that is configured during startup. If even one gear is slightly misaligned, the printer may experience recurrent paper jam errors, even if there’s no actual jam. This is a common problem when reassembling the printer after a significant repair, like replacing the printhead. In cases like yours, where multiple components have already been replaced, and you’re still facing errors, I typically recommend considering whether the cost of further repairs will be worth it. Our repair service starts at $200 to take in the printer, which covers the first 1.5 hours of labour, with an upfront payment of $300. After that, labour is billed at $65 per hour. While this may seem like a hefty investment, it's still roughly half the price of a new ET-8550 on the market. However, given that you’ve already put considerable money into repairs, it might make more sense to use this printer as a “donor” machine for parts and move on to a new or functioning unit. That way, you’ll have a backup set of parts should you run into issues with the new printer.
We'd be happy to assist you if you’re set on continuing with repairs. However, depending on what's causing the persistent jam code, additional parts, like a new printhead, might be needed. It's essential to weigh the cost of parts, labour, and shipping against the overall value of the printer.
Addressing printer issues can be complex and hands-on, so we cannot offer remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we provide in-person evaluations at our local diagnostic facility, which you can learn more about here (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). We operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and given the high demand, it may take a few weeks to get your printer in for repair. You can drop off your printer locally or mail it to us, and we can repair the entire printer or specific parts based on your needs. Our services are comprehensive, though we do recognize that our rates may not be the most economical. As a result, we encourage you to continue pursuing self-help options through online resources.
Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is a great starting point for self-repair. You can use the search function on our channel to find specific videos related to your issue. With hundreds of videos covering a wide range of printer problems, this is often the fastest way to find targeted information. YouTube’s algorithm might suggest other helpful videos that address your issue, even from different channels.
Thank you again for reaching out, and we genuinely appreciate your support. If you have any further questions, please contact us again, and we’ll do our best to assist you.
I purchased a second-hand Epson ET-8550 printer that had already been converted to DTF (Direct to Film). When I first got it, everything worked except for the white ink. We discovered that the printhead was clogged, and after several head cleanings, nothing changed. My husband replaced the printhead and wires and even tried the silicone washers we bought from you. The silicone washers sealed everything except for the blue ink. He then ordered a different style of printhead from you, but after replacing it, the printer kept showing a jam code and wouldn’t complete its cycle. We’ve already spent more than we paid for the printer and want it functional for our business. What would it cost to fix or reassemble the printer?
Answer:
Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing the details of your issue. We at BCH Technologies appreciate your engagement, especially your support of our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback is precious and helps us continue improving our technical expertise.
Regarding your Epson ET-8550, you’ve encountered several common issues with DTF conversion, particularly the challenges around the printhead and related parts. You’ve already replaced the printhead and wiring and used silicone washers, which shows you’ve put in considerable effort. The silicone washers were a great choice since the original design of the ET-8550 tends to have weak seals, which can lead to ink leakage and potential damage to the mainboard. However, the issue you're facing with the paper jam error after replacing the printhead could point to deeper mechanical problems.
One notable issue with the ET-8550 is its automatic APG unit that is configured during startup. If even one gear is slightly misaligned, the printer may experience recurrent paper jam errors, even if there’s no actual jam. This is a common problem when reassembling the printer after a significant repair, like replacing the printhead. In cases like yours, where multiple components have already been replaced, and you’re still facing errors, I typically recommend considering whether the cost of further repairs will be worth it. Our repair service starts at $200 to take in the printer, which covers the first 1.5 hours of labour, with an upfront payment of $300. After that, labour is billed at $65 per hour. While this may seem like a hefty investment, it's still roughly half the price of a new ET-8550 on the market. However, given that you’ve already put considerable money into repairs, it might make more sense to use this printer as a “donor” machine for parts and move on to a new or functioning unit. That way, you’ll have a backup set of parts should you run into issues with the new printer.
We'd be happy to assist you if you’re set on continuing with repairs. However, depending on what's causing the persistent jam code, additional parts, like a new printhead, might be needed. It's essential to weigh the cost of parts, labour, and shipping against the overall value of the printer.
Addressing printer issues can be complex and hands-on, so we cannot offer remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we provide in-person evaluations at our local diagnostic facility, which you can learn more about here (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). We operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and given the high demand, it may take a few weeks to get your printer in for repair. You can drop off your printer locally or mail it to us, and we can repair the entire printer or specific parts based on your needs. Our services are comprehensive, though we do recognize that our rates may not be the most economical. As a result, we encourage you to continue pursuing self-help options through online resources.
Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is a great starting point for self-repair. You can use the search function on our channel to find specific videos related to your issue. With hundreds of videos covering a wide range of printer problems, this is often the fastest way to find targeted information. YouTube’s algorithm might suggest other helpful videos that address your issue, even from different channels.
Thank you again for reaching out, and we genuinely appreciate your support. If you have any further questions, please contact us again, and we’ll do our best to assist you.