CLI-8 and CLI-521/526 swap

[Tudor]

I wonder if anyone tried using cli-8s in a cli-521 or cli-526 printer.

There are a few differences between cli-8 and cli-521/526, but only three noticeable:

1. cli-8 is higher

<---click to enlarge

This can be circumvented by cutting some plastic off the printer:

<---click to enlarge

Noticed how perfectly the modified cli-8 fits?



2. cli-521/526 has an indentation in the bottom

<---click to enlarge

This can be circumvented by cutting this little nipple off:

<---click to enlarge


3. The chips, of course, which can be swaped.

I wanted to do this since I got the ip3600, but didn't because of the warranty. Now the ip3600 is used by a friend and the MG5350 is still under warranty... pfff And those cli-8s do look very sexy...


So, anyone done it with a cli-8?

 

[The Hat]

Tudor
There is no stopping you at all is there.

I did try a CLI-521 cart in a CLI_8 slot once and held it in with a blob of how wax
but now youve tweaked my interest in using it the other way round.

Drilling a hole in a CLI-8 cartridge is out of the question,
besides it would probably leak so your idea looks to be a more practical way to get it to fit.

I have never believed in the Canon warrantee myself anyway, so I have cut the top (Marked in red)
from two of my new printers before to get the CISS to work, so a quick nick shouldnt be a problem to remove this little nipple.

If this works then I will be ordering even more CLI-8 cartridges from OctoInkjet,
I dont know how the PGBK cart will work dough, I supposes I could live with not converting the pigment cart..

 

[Tudor]

I only bought 2 cli-8s for testing, but I think the differences between pgi-5 and pgi-525 should be the same as cli-8 and cli-526.

Just refilled a cli-8 and it's so easy to do it when you see everything that happens inside... it's just ridiculous. Refilling cli-526 is frustrating compared to cli-8!

I'm almost ready to forfeit the warranty and modify the printer to use cli-8s. Someone push me!

 

[Tudor]

I forgot about the scanner! You can't fit cli-8s unless you keep the top open...

 

[The Hat]

Well you certainly pushed me into deep water because Ive gone and gotten all of the CLI-8 cartridges
to fit into my iP4700 and it worked as you said it would.

I used a soldering iron to melt away the little nipples and small pliers to cut off the back plate
that was covering the print head that prevented a larger cartridge from going in.

I will be spending the afternoon cutting lumps more out of the sides of the printer body
to accommodate the taller cartridges and will then order two more sets of CLI-8s for this printer..

Regarding your scanner.
Raise the lid by putting a few small blocks of wood under it
to get the clearance you need and when you do just glue the wood in place..

 

[Tudor]

Pictures or it didn't happen!

So now your lid stays a little opened? Doesn't that bother you? Dust, noise...

 

[The Hat]

Yes it did happen and I have cut both side of the printer top now to allow for the bigger carts,
so I am all set up and ready to go but

I cant wait on Martin to dispatch my order for two sets of CLI-8s, so in the mean time
I will nick the chips from the 521s and put them on a set of CLI-8s
and try them later tonight or early morning.

My lid stays down and I will do a few pictures of it also.
Stay tuned

 

[Tudor]

What about the pgi-5? Does it fit like the rest?

 

[The Hat]

Just a quick one before I shut down.

I installed ALL the carts and everything was dandy till I power on the printer and got fatal error number ##.

On examining the case I found cross bars about 10 cm in lenth hidden on the left and right side of the opening,
fortunately they were only made of light plastic and I was able to break them off with my hands
without having to take the darn printer cover completely off.

I power on and printed a nozzle check and test page perfectly so I am a happy camper, good night..

 

[Tudor]

There is still the question of how well the prism will work and how will the printer deal with the extra 1ml in the ink chamber. You should keep an eye on that.

Can't wait for the pictures!