Troubleshooting Spongeless Cartridge Conversion: Resolving Bubbles in the Magenta Cartridge
- By Kevin Day
- On Dec 10, 2024
- Comment 0
Question
I’ve attempted a spongeless cartridge conversion for my printer, but my magenta cartridge has stripes. When I pressure air into it, bubbles come from the top. What could be the issue, and how do I fix it?Answer
Thank you for reaching out to us! First, I apologize for not addressing your concern sooner. I understand how urgent printer issues can be, and we at BCH Technologies want to ensure we handle your questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. We appreciate your engagement and support, primarily through our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback is invaluable in helping us enhance our technical expertise.To address your issue:
During a spongeless conversion, the bubbles at the top of your magenta cartridge indicate that the top is not airtight sealed. A proper seal is needed, as it disrupts the functioning of the spongeless system.
In a spongeless cartridge, the pressure inside the cartridge is controlled by the white column where you apply air pressure. The system relies on this column to regulate airflow. If the cartridge's cover is not sealed tightly, air will bypass this regulator, compromising the pressure control. This results in improper ink flow, which could cause the stripes you’re experiencing in your magenta prints.
Steps to Fix the Issue
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Inspect the Cartridge Cover:
Examine the top of the cartridge to identify where the seal is failing. Look for cracks, gaps, or any loose components. -
Apply a Sealant:
Use a high-quality adhesive or silicone sealant to close gaps or cracks in the cartridge cover. Ensure the seal is airtight, but avoid over-applying sealant, as this could interfere with the cartridge's operation. -
Test the Seal:
After sealing, wait for the adhesive to dry completely. Then, apply air pressure to the white column again. If the seal is effective, you should no longer see bubbles escaping from the top. -
Re-prime the Cartridge:
Once the seal is confirmed, re-prime the cartridge to ensure proper ink flow. Test it by printing a few colour-intensive pages to see if the stripes in your magenta output disappear. -
Regular Maintenance:
Check your spongeless cartridge periodically for signs of wear and tear. Maintaining an airtight seal is critical for the system to function correctly.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, our services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, which might result in waiting for a few weeks before your printer can be dropped off.
Our services include complete printer repair or targeted repairs for specific components and clear instructions on the next steps. Our rates may be less economical, and we encourage customers to explore self-help options, including online research. Our YouTube channel's homepage is a great place to start (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search function next to the "About" section in the menu bar to find specific tutorials. YouTube may also recommend relevant videos from other creators that could prove helpful.
Thank you again for contacting us, and we appreciate your continued support of BCH Technologies. Please don't hesitate to get in touch for further assistance. Happy printing!