Can You Use Leftover HP 920 (HP 6500A) Refill Ink in an HP Smart Tank 7302?

Question: I used to refill an HP 6500A that took HP 920/920XL inks, and I still have leftover ink bottles labeled #32XL / 1VV24A (black), #31 / 1VU28A (yellow), #31 / 1VU26A (cyan), and #32 / 1VU27A (magenta). Are those inks the same as what my new HP Smart Tank 7302 uses? Can I safely use the leftover ink in the Smart Tank? Also, how do I order the correct ink for the new printer when I need it?

Answer: 

Now, to your question: in practical "refill-world" terms, yes-many refill inks sold for HP dye-based color systems are often compatible enough that people do successfully use them across multiple HP dye platforms. That said, there are a few important technical caveats I want you to understand before you pour anything into a Smart Tank system.

1) "Interchangeable" in real life vs. "Same ink" in engineering terms

Your HP Officejet 6500A (HP 920/920XL) is a cartridge-based system. The HP Smart Tank 7302 is a bulk reservoir (tank) system. Even if both printers are using dye-based CMYK inks (which is common in this category), that does not automatically mean the inks are chemically identical.

Here's why that matters:

• Cartridge printers can sometimes "tolerate" a wider range of refill inks because the ink path and service routines are different, and the cartridge architecture can act as a buffer.

• Tank printers have long ink paths, internal tubing, capillary filters, and printhead channels that can be more sensitive to viscosity, surface tension, and additive packages.

So: Yes, they can be interchangeable and many people do it. But it's still a risk if the ink formulations are not closely matched.

2) The biggest risks when moving old ink into a tank printer

If you choose to use the leftover ink, these are the main things that can go wrong:

A) Color shift or "off" output

Even small formulation differences can change:

• color tone (especially in magenta and cyan),

• saturation,

• how well colors blend,

• how photos look.

B) Printhead clogging or poor nozzle recovery

Tank printers rely heavily on the printhead staying healthy. If an ink has:

• higher viscosity than expected,

• more particulate contamination (from old bottles, dried residue, dust),

• or incompatible additives,
  it can cause dropouts, banding, or persistent missing nozzles that cleaning cycles can't fix.

C) Contamination problems (the silent killer)

If those old bottles have been opened for a long time, ink can slowly:

• evaporate and thicken,

• grow microbial contamination (rare, but it happens),

• develop sediment from dyes/additives over time.

Even a "mostly fine" ink can become problematic when it's aged or stored hot.

3) If you still want to use the leftover ink, do it the safest way possible

If you decide to proceed, here are safer best practices:

1. Do not mix unknown inks together inside the tank.
   If the Smart Tank currently has OEM ink inside, topping off with an unknown refill ink can create unpredictable interactions. Ideally, you'd only do this if the tank is empty or nearly empty and you're committing to that ink set.

2. Filter the ink before filling (if possible).
   A simple inline syringe filter (very fine micron rating) can reduce the risk of debris. Even tiny particles can be a problem in modern printheads.

3. Test with a small amount first.
   If you can, add a minimal amount and run:

   • nozzle check,

   • a few color blocks,

   • and a normal document print.
     Watch for banding, missing lines, or weak color.

4. Keep the bottles clean and sealed.
   Wipe the bottle tips, don't let dust fall into the tank ports, and cap everything immediately.

4) How to order the correct ink for the HP Smart Tank 7302

For ordering new ink for the Smart Tank 7302, the safest approach is:

• Buy the exact Smart Tank / HP bottle series intended for your printer, either OEM or a trusted third-party ink specifically labeled for that Smart Tank family.

• When shopping, use the printer model "HP Smart Tank 7302" as your main compatibility keyword, not the old cartridge numbers.

A quick note about your listed bottles: the codes you provided (like 1VV24A, 1VU28A, 1VU26A, 1VU27A) look like packaging/part identifiers associated with certain HP bottle/cartridge markets, but the most reliable method is still matching to the Smart Tank 7302's recommended bottle line. HP tank bottles are usually sold by their bottle series name/number and color, and retailers often list "works with Smart Tank 7302" explicitly.

5) Bottom line

• Yes, in many real-world refill situations they can be interchangeable, and that's why you'll see people successfully reuse leftover dye inks across HP dye printers.

• But because the Smart Tank is a tank-and-printhead system, the risk is higher than it was with a cartridge-based printer.

• If you want the lowest-risk, longest-life approach: use the correct Smart Tank 7302-compatible ink set going forward.

Addressing printer issues can get complicated because so many problems (and outcomes) depend on hands-on inspection and real-world testing. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we're able to accept a drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either an entire printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. We'll also be upfront that our rates aren't the most economical, so we strongly encourage self-help through online research first. A great starting point is YouTube-especially our channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right side of the menu bar to find videos by topic. I get dozens of messages each day asking if we have a video for a specific issue, and after nine years of making videos it's hard to remember every single one-YouTube search is the fastest way to locate the right match, and it may also recommend helpful videos from other creators.

Thanks again for contacting us, and I really appreciate you taking the time to ask before pouring ink in. If you decide to proceed with the leftover ink, please do it cautiously and test gradually.