Do You Need Ink Tank Stirrers on All Colors in a DTF Printer? Here's What You Should Know

Question:
I'm using an Epson 1390 DTF printer and I currently have a stirrer installed on the white ink tank. I'm curious whether I can also install tank stirrers on all my ink tanks - not just the white one. Does the mainboard have enough power capacity for this, or would I need an external power supply? Also, is there a good solution for running multiple tank stirrers at once?

Answer:

Now, to answer your question - from several years of experience working with DTF systems, including Epson 1390 conversions, it's not necessary to install stirrers on your color ink tanks. You can, of course, do it if you'd like to experiment or for aesthetic uniformity, but in practice, it's largely unnecessary and won't add value to print performance.

Here's why:

• White Ink vs. Color Ink Composition:
  White ink contains heavy titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles that tend to settle at the bottom of the tank over time. This sedimentation is what causes clogging or uneven printing if not agitated regularly. That's why a stirring mechanism or circulation system is essential for white ink.
  In contrast, CMYK color inks are dye- or pigment-based but without the same dense particles. They stay in suspension naturally and don't settle easily - especially if your printer is used frequently. As long as you print regularly (at least every few days), there's no real benefit to constantly stirring color inks.

• Mainboard Load Capacity:
  Most printer mainboards, including those used in the Epson 1390 DTF conversions, do not have spare current capacity to safely power multiple stirrers. Adding extra motor loads to the mainboard can cause voltage instability, overheating, or even short circuits. It's always safer to run external devices - such as stirrers - on a dedicated external power supply if you decide to go that route.

• Multi-Tank Stirring Options:
  For those who still wish to run stirrers on all tanks, the best approach is to use a multi-channel external stirrer controller or a timed power supply hub that can operate multiple motors simultaneously. These can be purchased online or built manually using 12V DC adapters and switch circuits. However, given that color inks don't require agitation, it's more efficient to limit stirring to the white ink tank only.

In summary, installing stirrers for all ink colors is unnecessary and provides no real functional gain. Focus your maintenance efforts on keeping the white ink well-mixed, and ensure your printer runs at least a short print daily to keep all channels active.

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 - Printer Repair Service (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.

Thank you once again for your thoughtful question and your continued support. We truly value your participation in the BCH Technologies community and wish you success with your DTF printing projects.