How to Properly Install Dampers on the Epson ET-8550 with a Pinhead Printhead Replacement

Question:

I recently replaced the printhead on my Epson ET-8550 with a newer version. However, I'm having trouble getting the dampers to fit—they won't sit properly when the ink tube support is in place. I removed the printhead lock, but the dampers still won’t go in. Do I need to install a drag chain to solve this issue?

Answer:

Damper Fitment Issues with Pinhead Printhead

When upgrading your Epson ET-8550 with a pinhead printhead (often used for DTF/DTG conversions), the stock configuration of the ink tubing system becomes a challenge. Specifically:

• The black plastic ink tube holder near the carriage is designed for the factory printhead configuration. This holder significantly restricts the available space, making it nearly impossible to correctly seat third-party or pinhead-compatible dampers.

• Even after removing the printhead lock (which is good practice during such upgrades), the obstruction remains due to the tight clearance imposed by that black ink tube holder.

The fix: You will need to remove the black tube holder entirely. This will free up the space for your dampers to sit snugly and securely on the printhead ports.

Here's a visual guide:

• Watch this video tutorial (https://youtu.be/GdAjipGo6Oc), which walks you through installing the dampers and shows why that plastic bracket must be removed.

Securing the Tubes After Removing the Holder

Once you remove the factory holder, you’ll need a way to prevent the ink tubes from flopping around during carriage movement.

Our recommendation: Use a lightweight tube clip designed for ET-8550 printers (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/simple-tube-clip-for-et-8550-dtf-dtg-printers). These clips are compatible with DTF/DTG conversions and will help anchor the tubes without interfering with the carriage travel.

Installing a drag chain is not required in most cases. You're good to go if your ink tubes are reasonably flexible and the printhead carriage moves freely during a test run. However, a drag chain might offer more reliability and prevent wear or tangling over time if your setup involves extended tube length or rigid tubing.

A Word of Caution

Be sure to:

• View all related videos together to avoid delays, particularly because letting a printhead sit too long without ink flow can lead to drying and permanent clogs.

• Prime the dampers properly and check for airtight seals.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, 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.

Thanks again for reaching out to us. We truly appreciate your patience and your trust in our advice and products. Best of luck with your printer project!