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Epson ET-8550 DTF Conversion Parts: Power Button Cable, Tube Clip, Waste Box Chip, and Shipping to the Netherlands

  • By Ellen Joy
  • On Dec 20, 2025
  • Comment 0

Customer Question

  1. I found the issue-one cable going to the power button was the problem. Do you have that power button cable available so I can order a spare?

  2. What's the best way to replace the two broken parts? Can you add them if I place a new order?

  3. I ordered four printhead protector covers-just confirming that's okay.

  4. I'm not clear about the "simple tube clip" part for my ET-8550 that's fully converted to DTF. I don't see this exact part in your videos. How is it used?

  5. Do you recommend buying the permanent auto-reset maintenance chip? I still have the original waste ink box in the printer.

  6. What are the shipping costs to the Netherlands? On Etsy your shop looks cheaper than the main website.

Answer

1) Power button cable (CN22) - do we have it as a spare?

Yes-we do carry that cable. From what you described, it sounds like the ET-8550 On/Off button FFC cable (CN22, 5-pin). Here is the product page so you can order a spare:

Installation notes (important for avoiding repeat failures):

  • Power fully off and unplug the printer before touching FFC cables.

  • When reinserting an FFC, make sure the blue stiffener faces the correct direction (orientation matters).

  • The cable must sit perfectly straight in the connector. Even a tiny "diagonal" insertion can cause intermittent power button issues.

  • Ensure the connector latch is fully locked. A half-locked latch can cause random symptoms that look like a board failure.

  • Avoid sharp folds-FFC cables fail from kinks, creases, and repeated bending.

If the printer ever shows odd behavior after cable work (no response, boot loop, control panel not responding), the first step is usually to re-seat the cable and inspect the connector for cracked latch tabs.

2) Replacing two broken parts - can we add them to a new order?

Yes. The best approach is:

  • Place a new order with the parts you need, and

  • Add a note in the order comments describing the situation (what broke, which items you want included, and any quantities).

If the "two broken parts" are items from our catalog, ordering them normally is the cleanest option. If you're not sure exactly which part name matches what you have in hand, the safest method is to compare your part visually to the product photos and listing title to avoid ordering the wrong revision.

3) Ordering four printhead protector covers - is that okay?

Yes, that's fine. For ET-8500/ET-8550 series DTF/DTG setups, a printhead protector cover/guard is a common "wear-and-tear" item: it helps protect the printhead area and is useful to keep on hand as a spare-especially if you do frequent maintenance or you've had any head strikes or tube routing issues.

Here's the item you referenced:

Tip: If you're running DTF, always double-check clearance around the head/protector after any tube routing change. Even small tube height changes can cause rubbing, which can lead to misfeeds, head strikes, or carriage drag.

4) The "simple tube clip" - where it goes and why it may not show clearly in videos

You're exactly right about what it does: it pushes the tubes down on the printhead carriage to keep them from lifting, snagging, or interfering with carriage travel.

Here is the part:

Why you might not "see" it clearly in videos:

  • In many conversions, the clip is installed low and tight to the carriage, often hidden behind tube bundles.

  • Different conversion styles route tubes differently (left-exit vs. rear-exit, different tube diameters, added sleeves, dampers, etc.), so the clip can appear "missing" even when it's installed, or the build may use an alternate retention method.

How it's used (general installation logic):

  • The clip installs on/near the carriage area where the tube bundle needs downward control.

  • Its purpose is to prevent:

    • Tubes rising into the path of the cover/protector,

    • Tubes catching on the printer frame during fast carriage moves,

    • Tube tension pulling on dampers or the head manifold,

    • Repeated rubbing that can cause tube wear or ink starvation.

What to check after installing/adjusting:

  1. Manually move the carriage left-right (with power off) and confirm the tubes never lift into a pinch point.

  2. Confirm the tubes are not overly pinched (a clip should guide tubes, not flatten them).

  3. Watch for signs of flow restriction: fading, banding, or missing nozzles that suddenly appear after tube routing changes.

If you've "fully converted to DTF," tube management becomes one of the most common causes of recurring headaches-so having a simple mechanical restraint like this clip often prevents intermittent, hard-to-diagnose problems.

5) Permanent auto-reset maintenance chip - do I suggest it if you still have the original waste box?

This one is truly up to you-and it depends on how you prefer to manage maintenance.

Here is the chip you referenced:

Practical guidance:

  • If you print a lot (DTF usually means heavier cleaning cycles), the waste system counter tends to rise faster.

  • When the printer believes the maintenance box is "full," it can stop printing and prompt for replacement/service. Different Epson models show different messages, but the trigger is essentially the same: the printer thinks it has reached waste capacity.

  • An auto-reset solution can be convenient, but it does not magically remove waste ink. You still need a real-world plan for waste ink handling (whether that's keeping the original box, using an external waste setup, and making sure nothing overflows inside the chassis).

So: if you're comfortable monitoring waste ink responsibly, the ARC can be a convenience tool. If you prefer a more "factory-like" approach, staying with the original box and replacing it normally is straightforward.

6) Shipping to the Netherlands - why Etsy may be cheaper

International shipping pricing can differ by platform due to:

  • Different negotiated shipping rates,

  • Promotions/discount structures,

  • How each platform handles calculated shipping, and

  • Marketplace incentives.

If Etsy is significantly cheaper for shipping to the Netherlands, then yes-order from Etsy. That's often the easiest way to reduce shipping cost for EU customers.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because so much of it is hands-on and depends on what's physically happening inside the machine. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, step-by-step repair coaching, or individualized remote support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair option through our local diagnostic facility: Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we run first-come, first-served, and it can take a few weeks before we're able to take in another drop-off. Our services are designed to repair either the entire printer or specific components, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we understand our rates aren't the most economical, so we strongly encourage self-help through online research. A great starting point is YouTube-especially our channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). To quickly find relevant videos, use the search icon next to "About" on the right side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of messages daily asking which video covers a specific topic, and after nine years of uploading, it's tough to remember every single one-so YouTube search is the fastest method. It may also recommend other helpful videos from other creators that match your exact situation.

Thanks again for your message and for supporting BCH Technologies. If you decide what the two broken parts are and order them, that's the most direct path-especially since you've already identified the power button cable issue and you're clearly moving in the right direction.

BCH Technologies Blog

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