Question:
Could you explain how to refill the dampers on an Epson ET-8550 after replacement?
Answer:
To refill the dampers on your Epson ET-8550 printer after replacing them, follow these detailed steps:
1. Parking the Printhead on the Capping Station
Start by turning on the printer and allowing the printhead to settle naturally on the capping station. It’s important to keep the power on for this process to ensure proper positioning. Since DTF ink is thicker than standard ink, it may require extra effort to prime the system.
Once the printhead is parked, connect a syringe and tube to the printer’s waste line. Gently draw about 2 ml of air. Begin by drawing 1.5 ml; at this point, you should feel slight resistance. If you only draw air, it could indicate that the printhead is not properly parked, or there might be a leak in the capping station’s seal. Conversely, if you feel complete resistance and cannot draw anything out, the capping station might be clogged, and this issue must be resolved before continuing.
2. Refilling and Priming the Dampers
After successfully drawing 1.5 ml, you may hear the damper membrane crinkle, which signals that the nozzles are open. Continue pulling up to the 2 ml mark, ensuring that the black rubber seal passes this point, and hold for about 10 seconds. Once this step is complete, run the printer’s standard cleaning routine to finalize the process.
Avoid using the "strong cleaning" feature for at least 12 hours to prevent unnecessary strain on the printer’s components. Additionally, do not perform multiple cleaning cycles consecutively—give the printer time to rest between cleanings.
3. Alternative Methods
If the primary method doesn’t work or isn’t practical, try this alternative:
- Fill a syringe halfway with ink.
- Park the printhead as described earlier, then connect the syringe to the damper’s input with a tube. Slowly draw air out and then release the syringe, which should draw ink into the damper and help prime the printhead.
Another option is to use the printer’s built-in ink charge feature. By reinstalling the printer driver, the setup dialog will ask if the printer is charged with ink. Select “No” to initiate the ink charge process. However, be cautious with this method as it consumes a significant amount of ink and can put extra strain on the printer’s components.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. As such, we are unable to provide remote troubleshooting or support for specific printer repairs. However, we offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility at BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Our services operate on a first-come, first-served basis and can take several weeks due to high demand.
If you decide to visit us, we can help repair either the entire printer or specific parts. However, if our rates are not feasible for you, we recommend exploring self-help options online. Start with our YouTube channel at BCH Technologies (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), where you can use the search feature to find relevant videos. YouTube’s algorithm may also suggest helpful content from other creators that could guide you through the process.