Can You Avoid Using a Piggyback Board When Converting an Epson L1800 or 1390 Printer?

Customer Question:
Can I bypass or remove the piggyback board in my Epson L1800 or 1390 printer setup?

Answer:

Understanding the Role of the Piggyback Board

The piggyback board (sometimes referred to as an adapter or conversion board) is used when you're running a L805 printhead on an L1800 or 1390 printer body. These models use different types of Flexible Flat Cables (FFC), and the board acts as a bridge between the two incompatible FFC configurations.

• Original configuration: L1800/1390 printers come with their own native printheads and corresponding FFC connectors.

• Conversion setup: If you use an L805 printhead in these printers, you need the piggyback board to match the pinout and cable type. The board receives the signal via the L1800/1390 cable and converts it for the L805 head.

How to Eliminate the Board

If you want to remove the piggyback board and revert to a native configuration:

1. Remove the L805 printhead.

2. Disconnect the L1800/1390 FFC cable from the board.

3. Install a new L1800 or 1390 printhead (they are interchangeable).

4. Connect the original FFC directly to the new printhead, skipping the board entirely.

Once you’ve done this, you’re back to the printer’s factory wiring, and the piggyback board becomes unnecessary.

Important Notes

• Be sure to power off and unplug the printer before performing any internal changes.

• Always verify compatibility of printhead models and firmware.

• If you’re switching back to the original head, you may also need to adjust your firmware or settings to ensure proper communication between the printer’s mainboard and the printhead.

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 (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.

Thanks again for reaching out—we’re always grateful for your support and interest in BCH Technologies. If you have more questions or need help finding the right components, feel free to contact us again.