Epson 7800 doesnt take refillable cartridges

bubble

Newbie to Printing
Joined
May 19, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Printer Model
Epson 7800
Hello firends.

TLDR: First time using refillable cartrige, printer doesnt take it. Tested chip and is not the problem but the cartrige is missing some coded plastic squares that I think the printer tries to read. Could that be the problem? How to solve it?

As the title says, I tried to start using refillable inks but the printer just refuses to accept it.
My printer is an EPSON 7800 several years old now. All this time I have been using original inks, but Im looking at cutting costs so I decided to switch to refillable cartriges. Im not in USA so I didnt have large variety of inks or cartridges to pick but I end up finding this kind of cartridges.
s-l1600.jpg
s-l1600s.jpg


They seem to be pretty common so Idecide for this kind of cartrige.

The problem is when time came to put the new cartrige, I fill it up, resset the chip, and put it in the printer. Initially the printer accept it but after a few seconds it show INK CARTRIGE ERROR REPLACE THE CARTRIGE.
Ive made a few test and ruled out the chip as cause of the problem. I tried other chips in this cartrige and it keeps showing the same error, and also tried the chip that came with the cartridge with another original cartridge and it works just fine, so the problem is the case/plastic box itself.
Upon inspection, the cartrige is identical to the original except for a few little plastic squares/dimples between the ink outled ant the air intake that all the original cartriges have and the refillable does not. In that same position there is some kind of sensor that I figure reads the combination of plastic squares, since each color has a diferent combination.
This is the original cartridge
IMG_20200518_134347.jpg

This is the refillable cartrige with nothing in that position
IMG_20200518_134402.jpg

And what I think is the sensor in the printer
IMG_20200518_134550.jpg


My theory is that this sensor reads the cartridges and since this new refillable doesnt have this "plastic code", the printer knows that there is a cartridge because is reading the chip but is not reading this, and so the error shows.

The thing that I found very strange is that I havent found any information about this online, and even asked around with some of the people I know that have made the cange and everything has worked seamlessly for them. They didnt knew anything about the sensor or the little squares in the cartriges. Things just worked for them when they switched, they say. Just stick the new cartridge and you are good to go.

So Im stuck with a cartridge that my printer doesnt accept and with the business closed I cant even buy the original ink for now. So my questions are in the first place if this sensor thing is what is causing my problems or could be something else? Anything I can do about it?

Thank you very much for reading and thanks all help I can get.
 

Ink stained Fingers

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
5,838
Reaction score
6,964
Points
363
Location
Germany
Printer Model
L805, WF2010, ET8550
It's not clear how and when you got these refill cartridges, cartridges are mechanically coded to prevent misplacement.
Refill cartridges for the 7800 are offered by several companies, could it be that yours are not suitable for use with the 7800 at all but just for another printer model ? Do you have a chance to return these cartridges to the seller for exchange or refund ?
 

bubble

Newbie to Printing
Joined
May 19, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Printer Model
Epson 7800
It's not clear how and when you got these refill cartridges, cartridges are mechanically coded to prevent misplacement.
Refill cartridges for the 7800 are offered by several companies, could it be that yours are not suitable for use with the 7800 at all but just for another printer model ? Do you have a chance to return these cartridges to the seller for exchange or refund ?

I got this cartridge a couple of weeks ago form an online retailer in my own country.
The thing is the cartridge is specifically marked for use with my printer, and every other bit of the cartridge matches the original, except for the plastic coding. Pretty much all of the ones I saw avalable

IMG_20200520_194710.jpg


Unfortunately I dont think I cant return the item anymore, but I certainly will still be looking for cartriges that do work for me since I do want to use the refilling system, mainly because of cost concerns.
So I guess the last thing would be to ask for recommendations on online stores that have this kind of products? I will be looking for both the cartriges and inks.

Thanks again for the help.
 

Ink stained Fingers

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
5,838
Reaction score
6,964
Points
363
Location
Germany
Printer Model
L805, WF2010, ET8550
I dont think I cant return the item anymore,
I think you should tell the vendor regardless . Epson cartridges are pretty similar for that generation of printers , there are small changes in the mechanical coding only and the chip is different. The 7800 version is slightly pressurized during operation to improve the ink flow during the head movements back and forth. I would look for a supplier in your country you can deal with in case of problems.
 

PeterBJ

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Messages
5,055
Reaction score
4,896
Points
373
Location
Copenhagen Denmark
Printer Model
Canon MP990
The cartridge is likely made from polypropylene which is very difficult to glue anything onto.
 

bubble

Newbie to Printing
Joined
May 19, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Printer Model
Epson 7800
I think you should tell the vendor regardless . Epson cartridges are pretty similar for that generation of printers , there are small changes in the mechanical coding only and the chip is different. The 7800 version is slightly pressurized during operation to improve the ink flow during the head movements back and forth. I would look for a supplier in your country you can deal with in case of problems.

I did contact the vendor and I don't think there is much disposition from their part to solve my problem or refund my purchase. I got the old 'Let me check and I'll let you know' several days ago.
I did manage to get the original ink that I badly needed (even more expensive than usual) so Im good for a few weeks at least, which I will use to look for another retailer, as you recommend.
Thanks for the help.
 

bubble

Newbie to Printing
Joined
May 19, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Printer Model
Epson 7800
Suggestion:- why not glue a few pieces of plastic into the compatible cart to make look like an OEM…:hu
The cartridge is likely made from polypropylene which is very difficult to glue anything onto.

Thanks for the suggestion

Thats actually one of the first thinks I thought. If I see no way to return the cartridge, I will definitely attempt the transplant. Since every color has a unique code and the sensor seems pretty small (plus what you mention about polypropylene), I don't think the chances are great, but if I can't return it there is nothing more to lose I guess.
 

Ink stained Fingers

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
5,838
Reaction score
6,964
Points
363
Location
Germany
Printer Model
L805, WF2010, ET8550
You may check upfront with a dealer for their support and return/refund options, ask for a recommendation to see how responsive they are
 

The Hat

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
15,617
Reaction score
8,691
Points
453
Location
Residing in Wicklow Ireland
Printer Model
Canon/3D, CR-10, CR-10S, KP-3
Since every color has a unique code and the sensor seems pretty small
Now if you were in the 3D market, it would be possible to make an exact replica of the cartridge code section of each, which would then slide into position and your printer would be none the wiser.. but I fear not because you would have taught of that yourself…

P.S. Two part Epoxy Adhesive is pretty good at sticking to most things, and this Mite Bond is not bad on carts either..
Mita.JPG click to enlarge..
 
Top