Safe Use of Cleaning Solution with the Water Tornado for Epson L1800 Printhead Maintenance

Question:
Can I add a little premium cleaning solution to the distilled water I'm using with the Water Tornado to clean my Epson L1800 printhead? I don't want to damage the Tornado or the TMS unit.

Answer:

To your question-yes, you can safely add a small amount of premium cleaning solution to the distilled water used in the Water Tornado system. In fact, doing so can enhance the cleaning effectiveness without harming the Tornado or the TMS unit. Here are some key considerations:

1. Compatibility with the Tornado and TMS Unit

• The Water Tornado and TMS (Tornado Maintenance System) are designed to handle cleaning fluids similar in viscosity to water. Premium cleaning solutions made for Epson printheads are formulated to be safe for both the printhead and cleaning equipment.

• As long as you are using a trusted cleaning solution formulated for Epson printers, it won't damage the system.

2. Correct Mixing Ratio

• Add only a small portion of cleaning solution to your distilled water. A light mix is usually enough to increase the cleaning power.

• Over-concentrating the mix is unnecessary, since the Tornado circulates the solution repeatedly, maximizing its effectiveness.

3. Benefits of Mixing Cleaning Solution

• Helps dissolve stubborn dried ink more effectively than water alone.

• Maintains safe fluid dynamics in the Tornado unit while improving nozzle flushing.

• Allows you to cycle the solution multiple times through the printhead without waste, extending the effectiveness of the cleaning process.

4. Safety Tips

• Always flush the Tornado unit with distilled water after using cleaning solution to avoid residue buildup.

• Do not mix different cleaning solution brands or unknown chemicals together, as this could cause reactions that harm the printhead or cleaning system.

• Ensure the cleaning solution is premium-grade and specifically designed for Epson printheads-generic solvents can be too harsh.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Because of this, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting or direct support for cleaning and repair. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). This service runs on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, it may take several weeks before your printer can be serviced. We handle both complete printer repairs and part-specific services, though we recognize that our pricing may not be the most economical. Many users prefer to start with self-repair and research. A great place to begin is our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search function next to the "About" tab to find videos on cleaning methods, Water Tornado use, and Epson printhead maintenance, or explore related content recommended by YouTube.

Thank you again for your thoughtful question and for supporting BCH Technologies. Your engagement helps us continue providing valuable resources for the printing community.