How to Fix Broken FFC Cable on Punehod DTF A3 L1800 Printer

Question

I have a Punehod DTF A3 L1800 printer and recently encountered an issue. I removed the ink waste station to clear a clog, and during reassembly, I accidentally hit the ribbon or FFC cable near the control panel (located behind the power, paper, ink, and trash buttons). This resulted in breaking the clip off the circuit board, detaching it from the FFC cable. I’m not sure if this means I need to replace the entire board or if there’s another way to fix it. Can I purchase the board from BCH, and how easy is it to replace? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

Thank you for reaching out to us at BCH Technologies. We apologize for not being able to respond sooner. We understand that all printer issues are urgent, and we strive to address them with the utmost care and detail. Your engagement and support, particularly with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), play a crucial role in helping us enhance our technical expertise.

Now, let’s address your Punehod DTF A3 L1800 issue.

The issue you’re experiencing is quite common when performing maintenance on DTF printers. The control panel on these printers often uses an FFC (Flat Flexible Cable) to connect the buttons to the circuit board. If the clip securing the cable to the board breaks, the connection becomes loose, causing the control panel to malfunction.

Recommended Solution: Re-wiring to an OEM Epson Panel

One of the most straightforward solutions is to re-wire the control panel back to an OEM Epson panel, bypassing the third-party panel entirely. OEM Epson parts are generally more reliable, and using them can help eliminate potential issues caused by third-party components.

You may be able to purchase an OEM Epson panel from BCH Technologies, depending on availability. Replacing the panel itself is relatively straightforward if you follow these steps:

1. Disconnect the printer from power and remove the top cover.

2. Carefully detach the broken FFC cable from the circuit board.

3. Replace the entire control panel or the specific board with the OEM part.

4. Reattach the FFC cable, ensuring it is securely clipped in place.

5. Reassemble the printer and test the control panel functionality.

If you are unsure about sourcing the part or performing the repair, feel free to reach out to us for further guidance.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel’s homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

We appreciate your continued support and engagement. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your feedback is invaluable to us at BCH Technologies.