Fixing Double Blink Errors When Replacing the Platen with a Vacuum Suction Box on Epson L1800/1390 DTF Printers

Question:
When replacing the platen with a vacuum suction box on an Epson L1800 or 1390 DTF printer, how can you avoid triggering the double blinking error lights?

Answer:

Replacing the platen with a vacuum suction box in a DTF-modified Epson L1800 or 1390 printer should not, by itself, cause the double blinking error lights (commonly known as a "general error" signal). More often, the issue comes from something that interferes with the carriage (CR) movement. If the printhead cannot travel smoothly across the rail due to alignment or obstruction, the printer's sensors will detect a fault and trigger the blinking error.

Steps to Diagnose and Fix the Issue

1. Check Carriage Movement

   • Manually move the printhead carriage to ensure it slides freely from side to side.

   • If it feels blocked or misaligned, re-check the installation of the vacuum platen. Sometimes the vacuum box sits slightly higher than the original platen, which causes leveling issues.

2. Use the Epson Adjustment Program
   To confirm the exact cause of the double blink error, you can run the Epson Adjustment Program (a diagnostic utility typically used by Epson technicians, but sometimes made available through DTF suppliers).

   • Open the Adjustment Program and select your printer's USB port.

   • Go to Particular Adjustment > Printer Information Check.

   • Click Check, and the most recent error code will appear at the top as Error No. 1.

   These codes are not always obvious. For example, an APG sensor error or CR motor error may show up. Each code has a specific meaning. For detailed interpretation, search "BCH Epson Error" on Google. This will bring you to our BCH page that explains Epson's "triple secret" error codes.

3. Video Guide
   For a quick overview, you can watch our short tutorial on how to use the Adjustment Program: Epson Error Code Check Walkthrough (https://youtube.com/shorts/FPZzpyYuZLE).

4. Platen Leveling
   The most common issue after installing a vacuum platen is incorrect leveling. If the platen sits too high, the printhead may strike it, causing resistance and resulting in errors. If it sits too low, print quality will suffer. Adjusting the platen height carefully is essential to preventing false error signals.

Error Codes and Their Meaning

When using the Adjustment Program, here are examples of codes you may encounter:

• 00010013 - CR Motor Error (carriage not moving freely)

• 0001001A - ASF Sensor Error (feed mechanism issue, sometimes triggered if platen misalignment interferes)

• 00010004 - APG Sensor Error (often seen in modified printers with hardware changes)

Understanding these codes will help narrow down whether the problem is mechanical (misaligned platen) or electronic (sensor blocked or disconnected).

Addressing printer issues can be a complex process because of the hands-on nature of the repairs. For that reason, we are unable to provide direct remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, BCH Technologies does offer an in-person diagnostic and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note this is on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to demand, it may take a few weeks before we can examine your printer. Our service covers full printer repairs or specific parts, though we recognize that our rates may not be the lowest option. That's why we also encourage you to pursue self-help by researching online tutorials, especially on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the channel's search function to quickly find relevant videos, and YouTube may also suggest helpful guides from other creators.

Thank you again for reaching out and for your continued support. Your engagement helps us refine our work and share more detailed resources with the printing community.