Can You Use an Epson ET-8550/L18050 Printhead on an XP600 Machine with a Hoson Board?

Question:

I'm working with an XP600-based machine using a Hoson board. After watching a video about testing Epson XP-600 or ET-8550 printheads with a multimeter, I want to confirm whether I can replace my XP600 head with an ET-8550/L18050 printhead-using the XP600 manifold. Is this a compatible setup?

Answer:

To address your question: Yes, you can use an ET-8550/L18050 printhead on an XP600-based machine, even when it's running a Hoson board-as long as you use an XP600 manifold. This approach is commonly used in DTF and custom printer setups, where operators want the performance characteristics of the ET-8550/L18050 head while retaining compatibility with XP600-style ink delivery.

Here's a more detailed breakdown to help guide you:

Why the Compatibility Works

• Electrical Similarity:
  The ET-8550/L18050 head and XP600 head share very similar electrical requirements, allowing Hoson boards to drive them properly in most setups.

• Manifold Requirement:
  The ET-8550/L18050 head uses a different inlet port configuration.
  This is why you must use an XP600 manifold-it adapts ink flow and port spacing to what the machine expects.

• Firmware/Board Behavior:
  Hoson boards are relatively forgiving as long as the head's coil resistance and pin mapping fall within expected XP600 ranges. Both the XP600 and ET-8550/L18050 heads align well in this area.

Important Considerations

• Physical Fitment:
  Ensure the manifold seats perfectly. A misaligned manifold can cause cross-contamination or poor ink delivery.

• Ink Type:
  If using DTF or pigment inks, verify that the ET-8550/L18050 head is properly flushed before installation to avoid chemical conflict.

• Cable Orientation:
  Double-check ribbon cable alignment when attaching to the Hoson head driver ports-ET-8550/L18050 heads tolerate alignment mistakes poorly and can short easily.

Recommended Conversion Kit

If you want a straightforward, reliable solution, we offer a complete conversion option here:

ET-8550 Printhead Upgrade Kit (PNC Printhead Nipple Conversion Kit)
https://bchtechnologies.com/products/et-8550-printhead-upgrade-kit-pnc-printhead-nipple-conversion-kit-by-bch?_pos=2&_sid=93317df38&_ss=r

This kit adapts the head ports and reduces the risk of installation errors, making the process far smoother.

Addressing printer problems-especially those involving printheads, manifolds, and third-party control boards-can involve a lot of hands-on troubleshooting. Because of this, we're unable to provide remote diagnostics or repair advice beyond general guidance. However, if you need a full evaluation, we offer in-person inspection and repair services through our local diagnostic facility at BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, repairs operate on a first-come, first-served basis and may require a wait. Our services include full-printer diagnostics or targeted component repair, with clear instructions provided at drop-off.

That said, many customers successfully handle these projects themselves through online resources. We encourage you to explore tutorials-starting with YouTube or our channel homepage BCH Technologies (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the channel menu to locate specific video topics. With nine years of videos, it's hard to keep track of each one, and YouTube search will surface both our videos and other creators' content that may help you further.

Thank you again for your question and your support. We truly appreciate your engagement and hope this information helps guide your project. If you have more questions, feel free to send them anytime.