Epson L1800 DTF Conversion: Fixing White Ink Circulation, CISS Problems & Wet Capping Issues

Customer Question:

I ordered a new printhead for my Epson L1800, but I’m struggling with a few issues. First, I’m unhappy with how the CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System) is set up—my white dampers never hold ink even after priming, and when I suction ink from one damper, the other one gets air bubbles. I also have to press the silver button to circulate the white ink manually. The printer isn’t used daily, and I’m wondering if I should add an automatic circulation system or give up on it. Lastly, after maintenance cleanings, the printhead doesn’t reseat itself on the capping station unless I manually intervene. I want to know if I'm missing something.

Answer:

1. Critical Issue: Printhead Not Seating on the Capping Station

Let’s start with the most serious issue: after maintenance cleaning, your printhead does not park properly on the capping station because the locking mechanism is disengaged. You’ve been manually turning the printer on and off to force the head to seat over the cap with the solution.

This problem undermines every other effort—if the printhead can't seal tightly on the cap, it will dry out quickly, especially the white ink nozzles. This makes the printer essentially non-functional for DTF.

Solution:

• Check your printer’s carriage lock and motorized locking cam—they must fully engage before shutdown.

• Ensure that the printer has completed its power-up and initialization cycle before shutting it off for wet capping.

• Your workaround—adding the solution, powering on briefly, then turning it off to let the head seat— is the correct (though clunky) method for achieving a good seal.

Until this issue is resolved, fixing other problems won’t help, since your white ink will always dry out between uses.

2. CISS Setup and White Ink Not Staying in Dampers

You mentioned that your white dampers lose ink and pull air bubbles, no matter how much you prime them. Either typically causes this:

• Poorly sealed open-style dampers that allow air back into the lines.

• Backflow from inadequate capping pressure, which may also be related to the sealing problem mentioned above.

• Or worse, air leaks in the CISS tubing or connectors.

Solution:

• Replace open dampers with sealed or pressurized dampers, specifically designed for use with white ink.

• Inspect all tubing connections and ensure no micro-leaks are present.

• Consider upgrading to a pressurized ink delivery system, which maintains positive pressure in the white ink lines even during idle time.

3. White Ink Circulation: Manual Button vs. Automation

Manually pressing the silver button to circulate white ink every time is a common shortcoming of DIY setups. Since your printer isn't in daily use, this lack of movement leads to white ink sedimentation and clogged lines.

Solution:

• Install an automatic circulation pump with a cycle timer. A setting of a few minutes every 4–6 hours works well.

• Look for kits on eBay or other marketplaces that allow for scheduled pumping without manual input.

This ensures that the white ink continues to flow and prevents settling, even when you’re not present.

4. Should You Keep the Printer or Replace It?

You’ve already invested in a new printhead, and your diagnostic approach shows you're committed. That said, fighting recurring issues on a DTF-converted Epson L1800 can become exhausting.

Consider the following:

• If the capping and sealing issue remains unresolved, consider a different platform.

• However, if that can be resolved, upgrading the ink circulation and switching to higher-quality dampers can breathe new life into the setup.

Let us know if you'd like help selecting specific parts—we've tested numerous options and can guide you to more reliable solutions.

In-Person Repair Option

Troubleshooting printers remotely is notoriously tricky due to the hands-on nature of the work involved. Due to this, we're unable to offer individual repair support via email or phone. However, we do provide in-person repair services at our local diagnostic facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Due to high demand, we handle repairs on a first-come, first-served basis, and it might take several weeks for your printer to be accepted. We offer services for both full units and specific components. Still, we acknowledge that our rates may not be the lowest, so we strongly encourage you to explore DIY options as well. To assist with that, please visit our YouTube channel homepage [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search bar next to the “About” tab to find relevant repair videos. With nine years of content, it's the fastest way to locate exactly what you need, and YouTube’s algorithm may even surface related videos from other creators.

Thank you again for your question and for being a proactive and thoughtful member of the DTF community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need specific part suggestions or encounter new problems—we’re here to help in any way we can.