Restoring Your Epson ET-8550: Replacing and Maintaining the Encoder Disc Made Easy

Question:
Hi Kevin. Thank you so much for all the amazing videos! With your guidance, I’ve been slowly bringing a neglected Epson ET-8550 back to life. Do you sell the encoder disc/wheel at BCH? Also, is it hard to replace?

Answer:
Thank you so much for reaching out and for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that my videos have been helpful in restoring your ET-8550. At BCH Technologies, we truly appreciate your support and engagement, especially with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback motivates us to keep creating content that helps fellow printer enthusiasts.

Regarding the encoder disc or wheel, we currently don’t have one in stock, but our inventory updates weekly, so it’s worth checking back on our website (https://bchtechnologies.com). Replacing the encoder disc isn’t particularly difficult, but I’d like to address why you think it might need replacement.

If you haven’t inspected the encoder disc yet, it’s a good idea to check it carefully before assuming it needs replacement. The disc is typically secured with double-sided tape, making it easy to remove and replace if necessary. However, before diving into the replacement, I recommend verifying whether the disc is damaged, misaligned, or simply dirty. Often, cleaning the disc with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol can resolve issues like printhead alignment errors or streaking caused by a dirty encoder disc.

If you’ve confirmed that the disc is the root cause, replacing it involves peeling off the old disc and carefully positioning the new one in the exact alignment using double-sided tape. Make sure the new disc is seated correctly, as misalignment can lead to operational errors. If you need detailed guidance, our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) has videos that cover similar repairs, and searching "encoder disc replacement" might yield helpful tips.

Additional Support Options:
Addressing printer repairs like these can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time. While we don’t provide remote troubleshooting or support, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair services (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Keep in mind that our services are first-come, first-served, and due to high demand, it might take a few weeks to get your printer in for repair.

If you prefer the DIY route, our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) remains an excellent resource for finding detailed tutorials. Using the search bar to look for specific topics is often the fastest way to locate relevant content.