Should You Keep OEM Tubing in Your EcoTank Printer - and Will New Dampers Work With It?

Question:

A customer asks whether they can continue using the original Epson (OEM) ink tubing already installed in their printer. They also want to know if aftermarket dampers-specifically the BCH Technologies V2 dampers-will work with their OEM tubing, and whether there is any reason to replace the original tubes.

Answer:

Using OEM Tubing: Pros, Cons & When It Makes Sense

OEM tubing is the ink tube assembly originally installed by Epson-built to match the exact specifications of your EcoTank printer.

✔ Pros of Using OEM Tubing

• Perfect fit and compatibility. Epson designs these tubes with the correct diameter, length, and material for specific models. For example, genuine Epson assemblies such as Ink Supply Tube Assembly (Part No. 1755477) ensure proper ink flow and airtight sealing.

• Warranty-safe. Keeping the OEM tubing unmodified supports long-term reliability and avoids warranty concerns.

• Stable for standard inks. For normal pigment or dye EcoTank inks, OEM tubing provides dependable performance with minimal maintenance.

✘ Limitations of OEM Tubing

• Usually opaque. This makes it difficult to check for:

  • air bubbles

  • sediment

  • flow issues

  • ink starvation

• Narrow internal diameter. Stock tubing was never designed for:

  • white ink

  • heavy-viscosity pigment inks

  • DTF ink recirculation systems

  • long external runs

• Less adaptable to modifications. If you add:

  • external tanks

  • circulation pumps

  • longer ink pathways
    ...OEM tubes quickly become restrictive.

If your setup is completely stock and you're using OEM ink: OEM tubing is perfectly fine and recommended.

But if you're modifying the printer: the limitations become more noticeable.

Clear Aftermarket Tubing: When It's Better

Clear tubing is widely used in converted printers-especially DTF, white ink setups, and heavy-pigment workflows.

✔ Advantages

• You can see everything. This is the #1 benefit. Visual monitoring helps you detect:

  • clogs

  • stuck air bubbles

  • sediment buildup

  • ink separation

• Available in larger diameters. For example:

  • White ink often requires ≥ 2.5 mm ID (C3 grade or larger)

• More flexibility for custom layouts. Ideal for:

  • extended tubing paths

  • external CISS systems

  • circulation pumps

✘ Disadvantages

• You must match the specs correctly. Incorrect:

  • diameter

  • fittings

  • material
    ...can result in poor flow, leaks, or pressure problems.

• Warranty concerns. Any tubing modification moves the printer outside Epson's approved configuration.

• Material quality varies. Cheap tubes may discolor, swell, or degrade with ink chemistry.

Quick Comparison Table

Damper Compatibility (Important)

You asked whether your dampers will work with OEM tubing.

Here's the key point:

BCH V2 Dampers are designed for nipple-style printheads.

• The ET-8550 comes with non-nipple / clamp-style connections.

• To use V2 dampers, you must convert the printhead to nipple-style.

Search our site for "nipple conversion" on BCH Technologies (https://bchtechnologies.com).

If you keep the OEM dampers:

• They are compatible with OEM tubing.

• They will also work with clear aftermarket tubing as long as the tubing diameter matches.

So your choice comes down to whether you want to convert the printhead to nipple-style to use V2 dampers-or remain with the OEM damper assembly.

My Recommendation

• If your printer is stock with standard Epson ink:
  → Stay with OEM tubing + OEM dampers (best reliability).

• If you're modifying the printer for DTF, white ink, or aftermarket systems:
  → Switch to high-quality clear tubing, and consider converting to nipple-style dampers only if you need that level of flow control and maintainability.

Addressing printer issues can sometimes require hands-on diagnostics that are difficult to resolve remotely. Because of this, we're unable to offer live troubleshooting or technical repairs over messages. However, we do provide in-person evaluation and repair services through our diagnostic facility, which you can find here: BCH Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, repairs operate on a first-come, first-served basis and may have a wait time of several weeks. We can service either an entire printer or individual components depending on your needs. That said, our repair rates may not be the most economical. For many users, self-help via online guides or community tutorials is the most cost-effective option. You can always browse our YouTube channel's homepage at BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search tool to find videos on specific topics. With nine years of content and hundreds of videos, the built-in search is the fastest way to locate what you need-and YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for reaching out and supporting our work. Your questions help us improve the resources we provide to the entire printing community. If you ever need more information, we're always here to help.