Can a Bad Motherboard Damage Printheads in a Procolored L1800?

Question:

I recently determined that my Procolored L1800 might need a new driver chip or an entire motherboard replacement. While troubleshooting, I installed two brand-new printheads. Could a faulty motherboard cause those printheads to become defective? If they could damage it, I’m concerned about using them in another printer. Additionally, what other components should be replaced simultaneously when replacing the motherboard? Should I be concerned about the F1 fuse, cables, or other parts?

Answer:

Can a Bad Motherboard Damage a Printhead?

Typically, the printhead causes damage to the mainboard rather than the other way around. Printheads can develop electrical faults due to internal shorts or excessive resistance, which can overload the driver chips on the motherboard and cause them to fail. However, the reverse scenario—where a defective motherboard damages a printhead—is less common but still possible.

If the motherboard has suffered damage, especially in circuits controlling the printhead, it could send incorrect voltage or signals to the new printheads, potentially causing them to fail. This is particularly true if the F1 fuse or other power-regulating components have been compromised. That’s why diagnosing and replacing faulty motherboard components is crucial before installing a new printhead.

Should You Reuse the Printheads?

If your motherboard was defective when you tested the new printheads, it could have caused some electrical damage to them. Unfortunatelcaused testing equipment, it is difficult to determine if they have been affected. If you want to be cautious, you can test the printheads on another identical printer, but be aware that any existing damage poses a risk to that printer.

What Should Be Replaced When Installing a New Motherboard?

If you're replacing the motherboard, you should carefully inspect and possibly replace the following components to ensure a clean installation and prevent future failures:

1. Printhead Cable (FFC Cable): A damaged or shorted flat flexible cable (FFC) could carry electrical faults that might damage a new motherboard. Always inspect the cable for burns, kinks, or wear. If in doubt, replace it.
2. Capping Station: If the capping station is clogged or malfunctioning, it can contribute to poor ink flow and drying issues, putting extra strain on the printhead. Cleaning or replacing it is recommended.
3. F1 Fuse (or Other Protection Components): The F1 fuse protects power delivery to critical components on many Epson-based mainboards. If your motherboard had power-related failures, check and replace this fuse if needed.
4. Driver Chips: If the motherboard failure was due to a burned driver chip, replacing the chip alone may be an alternative to replacing the entire board. However, chip-level repairs require advanced soldering skills.
5. Power Supply Unit (PSU): If the power supply is unstable or delivers incorrect voltages, it can cause repeated motherboard failures. Testing the PSU with a multimeter may help determine if it needs replacement.

Conclusion

Confirming that your motherboard is functioning correctly before installing new printheads is crucial. If you suspect your motherboard is faulty, replace or repair it before testing printheads in another printer. Additionally, any components that could cause faults in the new board, such as cables, fuses, or the power supply, should be replaced.

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. 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. Getting your printer to drop off may take a few weeks. Our services are structured to repair 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 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.