Epson 1390 Printhead Setup: Breakout Board, Motherboard, and Beeping Issues Explained

Question:
Will this wiring diagram work for an Epson 1390 printhead? I have an A3+R printer with a breakout board on the old printhead. The printer powers on but only beeps. Ultimately, I need guidance on the proper motherboard setup for installing the new printhead.

Answer:

To clarify, the diagram you linked is not a printhead wiring diagram, but a printer connection diagram mainly related to fuses and fixing specific error codes (such as 0x9A or 031006 on certain Epson models). That diagram won't be directly applicable to installing or wiring your Epson 1390 printhead.

Here's how to look at your situation:

1. About the Breakout Board

   • Many Epson A3 printers (like the L1800/1390 series) can be adapted with a breakout board to convert the original 1390/L1800 printhead into an L805-compatible printhead.

   • If your machine already has this breakout board in place, you should purchase and install an L805 printhead. That's the only way the wiring will match correctly.

2. If You Don't Want the Breakout Board

   • You can bypass the breakout board completely.

   • To do this, remove the breakout board and plug the printhead cable directly into the Epson 1390/L1800 printhead.

   • No extra wiring diagram is required-the flat cables are keyed and only fit one way.

3. Printer Only Beeping

   • The beeping usually indicates the motherboard isn't recognizing the printhead properly.

   • This can happen if:

     • The wrong type of printhead is installed (L805 instead of 1390, or vice versa, depending on your board setup).

     • The breakout board is not seated properly.

     • There's a mismatch between the printhead and the board configuration.

   • Double-check whether you are using the breakout board or not, then match the printhead accordingly.

4. Motherboard Setup

   • No special rewiring is needed on the motherboard side. It's a matter of using the correct combination:

     • With breakout board → use L805 printhead

     • Without breakout board → use 1390/L1800 printhead directly

   • If the printer continues to beep, it's often due to a mismatch or a shorted fuse on the mainboard, not a wiring diagram issue.

Addressing printer issues can be complicated due to their hands-on nature. We are not able to provide remote troubleshooting or detailed repair support. However, BCH offers an in-person diagnostic and repair service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Please note that we work on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can process your printer once dropped off. Our services cover both complete printer repairs and specific part replacements. That said, our rates are not the lowest available, so we encourage you to try self-help first by exploring online resources. A great place to begin is our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search function near the "About" section to quickly find tutorials. YouTube may also suggest other creators' videos that could help you solve your issue.

Thank you again for your patience and for trusting BCH Technologies. Your questions help us improve the content and support we provide to the entire community.