Understanding Breakout Boards and Printhead Compatibility for Uninet 1000 and Epson R1390 Conversions

Question:
I recently bought a Uninet 1000 or an Epson R1390 printer, and I noticed it has a breakout board (adapter card) attached to the printhead. Does that mean I'm currently using an L800 or L805 printhead? If so, can I remove the breakout board and switch to an L1800 or R1390 printhead instead?

Here’s the adapter in question: Printhead Conversion Breakout Board – L1800/1390 to L805/L800 [https://bch-youtube-fan-store.myshopify.com/products/printhead-conversion-breakout-board-l1800-1390-to-l805-l800-adapter-riser-card-1]

Answer:
What the Breakout Board Means for Your Printhead

The presence of a breakout board or adapter riser card like the one you linked is a clear indicator that your current printhead is from the L805/L800 family. These printheads are electrically and physically different from the L1800 or R1390 heads, which are based on the original Epson 1390 architecture.

• The breakout board’s role is to translate signal paths and pin layouts so the L805/L800 printhead can function with a printer designed for an R1390 or L1800 mainboard.

• In your case, since you're using a Uninet 1000 or an Epson R1390—both designed to operate natively with 1390-style heads—this board is making the L805 head “speak” the R1390’s language.

Switching to an L1800 or R1390 Printhead

Yes, you can absolutely remove the breakout board and directly install an L1800 or Epson R1390 printhead. These heads are natively compatible with your printer’s board, meaning:

• No conversion board is necessary.

• You’ll be restoring the system to its original electrical configuration.

• This simplifies wiring and eliminates the additional point of failure introduced by adapter boards.

Removing the breakout card and installing a native L1800/R1390 printhead ensures optimal signal transmission, reduces the chance of print errors due to board mismatch, and makes future troubleshooting more straightforward.

What If You Keep the Breakout Board?

If you leave the board in place, you will be limited to using only L800/L805 printheads. These heads are slightly more affordable in some markets, but they aren’t the ideal long-term fit for systems like the Uninet 1000 or Epson R1390 that are better suited for native L1800/1390 heads.

So in short:
✅ Breakout board installed = L805 printhead
✅ Breakout board removed = can use L1800 or R1390 printhead directly

Feel free to remove the breakout card and switch to a native head whenever you’re ready—it’s a cleaner setup in both hardware and signal routing.

Printer hardware modifications, such as converting printhead types and swapping signal adapters, require detailed hands-on knowledge. Due to the physical nature of these adjustments, we’re unable to offer remote support for such modifications. However, we do offer in-person diagnostic and repair services through our local facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Please note that our services are in high demand and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Though our pricing reflects the depth of service, we understand it may not be the most economical choice for all. For those looking to proceed independently, we highly recommend starting with our YouTube channel homepage [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search tool next to the “About” section to find relevant tutorials. With over nine years of video content, this is the most efficient way to locate the right guide—even if it’s from another creator.

Thanks again for your question! We’re grateful for your trust in BCH Technologies and look forward to helping you further whenever needed.