Understanding Epson L1800/1390 Carriage Compatibility Issues with Piggyback Conversion Boards

Customer Question:

I purchased a replacement carriage listed for the Epson L1800/1390, but the one I received doesn’t have a spot to mount the computer chip (piggyback board) that connects the cables. My original carriage had a mounting point for this chip. What should I do with this carriage since it doesn’t seem to support the conversion board?

Answer:

What you’ve encountered is a common point of confusion stemming from how third-party conversions are implemented. Your original carriage includes a piggyback board—a small conversion PCB (Printed Circuit Board) that adapts the Epson L1800/1390 carriage to work with a different printhead type, such as from the L805. These piggyback or adapter boards are not part of the original Epson hardware. Instead, they are added by third-party manufacturers or modders when converting printers for specific uses, such as Direct-to-Film (DTF) or modified ink setups.

The replacement carriage you purchased from us is a genuine OEM Epson printhead carriage. As such, it does not include the mounting bracket or design provisions for these third-party adapter boards, because those components were never part of Epson’s original manufacturing specifications.

That said, many users in the DTF/DTG modding community have found practical workarounds:

• Tuck the board into the right-side gap of the carriage assembly. This area often has just enough space to secure the board loosely without interfering with carriage movement.

• 3D-printed mounts: If you or someone you know has access to a 3D printer, you can custom-design a bracket that fits snugly and holds the board securely in place.

• Adhesive solutions: Some users resort to strong double-sided tape, thermal adhesive pads, or light dabs of hot glue to temporarily fix the piggyback board in position. However, we generally recommend non-permanent solutions in case the board needs servicing or replacement.

To summarize: the part you received is correct for an L1800/1390 Epson printer as originally manufactured. The missing “slot” or bracket is specific to third-party modifications and not included in any OEM Epson carriage assemblies.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thanks again for reaching out to us—we value your support and are always here to help guide you through your printer repair journey.