Question:
I recently converted my Epson ET-8550 for sublimation printing and installed a printhead, drag chain, clear tubing, and dampers. The printhead and dampers were installed a few weeks ago without issues. However, after installing the clear tubing and drag chain this weekend, the printer no longer powers on. Could you provide guidance on troubleshooting this issue after these modifications?
Answer:
Thank you so much for contacting us at BCH Technologies. We sincerely apologize for the delay in responding. We completely understand how urgent printer problems can feel, especially when you’ve invested time and resources into a complex setup like a sublimation conversion. Rest assured, we’re giving your question the thoughtful attention it deserves.
We also want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued support of our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps others in the community and pushes us to deepen our technical knowledge and improve our educational content.
Diagnosing a Power Issue After Modifications
When an Epson ET-8550 fails to power on immediately after hardware modifications, especially those involving the drag chain and tubing, this often points to an electrical fault. Here are the key points to consider when troubleshooting:
1. Electrical Short or Liquid Exposure
The most likely cause is an electrical short, especially if any liquid ink inadvertently dripped onto the printhead or mainboard. Installing clear tubing and drag chains introduces movement and additional pathways where ink can leak.
Important: Did you waterproof the printhead before installation? If not, ink could have traveled along the tubing or fittings and reached sensitive circuitry, particularly if the printer was turned on before checking for leaks. Even a small amount of conductive ink can fry critical components on the mainboard.
2. Power Supply Unit (PSU) Fault
If no signs of liquid damage are visible, your next suspect is the printer's power supply unit. The PSU can be stressed during reassembly, especially if cables were strained or disconnected. You can test this using a multimeter to check the voltage output. If it’s not delivering the proper voltage, it may need replacement.
3. Mainboard Damage
If you have verified that the power supply is functioning, yet the printer remains dead, then unfortunately, the mainboard may be damaged. Mainboard failure can occur from:
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Electrostatic discharge during installation.
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Ink-related corrosion.
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Accidental pinching or disconnecting of ribbon cables.
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Connecting the printer with power while components were still being installed.
Check the board for scorching, corrosion, or a burnt smell—these are telltale signs of failure.
4. Cable and Connector Issues
Carefully check all ribbon cables and connectors that might’ve been jostled or misaligned during the drag chain installation. Misaligned FFC (flat flexible cables) or damaged connectors are common culprits. Be sure the cables are fully inserted, not reversed, and show no visible kinks or burns.
5. Mechanical Obstruction
Although rare, if the drag chain is overly tight or impeding the carriage’s freedom of movement, some printers have a built-in failsafe that prevents power-on if there's excessive resistance. Try to move the carriage manually with the printer off and check for snags or tight spots in the cable chain.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we cannot 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 to get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair the 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.
Thank you again for contacting BCH Technologies. We genuinely appreciate your patience and support. We hope this gives you a better sense of what might be wrong, and we’re here to help however we can within our capabilities.