Epson ET-8550 DTF Conversion Problems - Power Clean Shutoff, White Line Blockage, and CISS Setup

Question:
I recently bought an Epson ET-8550 printer and converted it into a DTF printer. I also connected a CISS system, but I'm experiencing several issues:

• During a power clean, the printer shuts off because the dirty ink has nowhere to go. I tried connecting the waste tank line to the CISS directly, but nothing flows into it.

• One of my white ink lines isn't filling at all. I tried pulling with a syringe, but there was too much pressure, so I stopped.

• Since it's a new printer, I had trouble getting ink into the lines and dampers until I did it manually. I haven't been able to try printing yet because the printer keeps shutting off during power clean.

Can you help me troubleshoot these issues, or do you offer services to repair this printer?

Answer:

1. Power Clean Shutoff - Waste Ink Routing

• The ET-8550 is designed to push waste ink into an internal waste ink pad. If this pad becomes full or the waste line is rerouted incorrectly, the printer may shut down during heavy cleaning cycles.

• Connecting the waste line directly into a CISS tank usually won't work, because the printer expects resistance from the waste ink pump and pad. Without proper flow resistance, the pump may stall or the printer may detect abnormal pressure.

• Fix: Install a dedicated external waste ink tank kit designed for Epson printers, with proper tubing and air balance. This will allow the pump to discharge normally and prevent overflow or shutdown.

2. White Ink Line Not Filling - Airlock or Blockage

• White ink is thicker than color inks and more prone to forming airlocks in the tubing. If you feel heavy resistance when pulling with a syringe, it could mean the damper is clogged or the line is not properly primed.

• Fixes:

  • Disconnect the damper from the printhead, then gently pull ink through the line until it flows smoothly. Reconnect afterward.

  • Avoid pulling too hard directly through the head-this can damage the nozzle plate or seals.

  • If the damper itself is blocked, replacing it may be the simplest solution.

3. Ink Not Filling Lines and Dampers on Initial Setup

• On a new conversion, Epson's priming pump may not be strong enough to draw DTF ink through empty CISS lines, especially if air bubbles are present. That's why manual priming with a syringe is often required.

• Best Practice:

  • Always fill the CISS tanks and prime the lines manually before installing them.

  • Run only one or two cleaning cycles after priming to stabilize flow. Excessive power cleans flood the waste pad and waste a large amount of ink.

4. Why the Printer Gets Stuck on Power Clean

• If the waste ink system is not draining correctly, the printer interprets this as a malfunction and powers down to prevent further damage.

• Since you've already rerouted the waste incorrectly, the system isn't able to complete the cycle. Correcting the waste ink setup with a proper tank should resolve this issue.

5. Service Options

While we don't provide remote repair for these specific DTF modifications, we do offer in-person printer evaluations. In many cases, however, small adjustments-like re-priming lines, replacing a faulty damper, or installing a proper waste ink tank-are enough to get your machine running again.

Addressing printer conversion problems can be complicated due to the hands-on nature of the modifications. Because of this, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting or direct repair services for custom DTF builds. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). The service is first-come, first-served, and due to high demand, it may take a few weeks before your printer can be processed. We handle both full printers and component-level issues, though we recognize that our pricing may not always be the most economical. For many users, the best option is to begin with self-help research. Our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) is a great place to start-use the search icon next to the "About" tab to find videos on CISS installation, DTF waste ink routing, and damper troubleshooting.

Thank you again for reaching out. We appreciate your support, and your persistence in troubleshooting helps us continue creating resources for the DTF printing community.