Epson 1500W print head replacement

[brian_mk]

The print head in my 1500W has the common 'black ink leaking into the adjacent yellow channel' problem (delamination) and needs to be replaced.
Has anyone carried out a print head replacement? I have watched a couple of videos and it looks feasable.
Replacement heads are available from Aliexpress for just over £100. Are they any good?
There seem to be two different part numbers available: F1730350 or R1390.
I get the impression that F1730350 is a non-original replacement.

 

[brian_mk]

After watching a video on how to repair the actual print head, I think the chances of success are slim to say the least.
It would require buying some fairly expensive special tools and equipment: A low power stereo microscope, an ultrasonic cleaning bath plus some special 2 part sealant.
Even if repair were possible, it would not be cost effective just for a single print head.

I'd rather just buy a new Canon pixma pro-200s. (UK price around £450).
Unfortunately a set of replacement 8 ink carts for the Canon costs over £100.

I still have some ink for the 1500W which is why I was considering replacing the print head. I have read a couple of reviews that suggest some of the Chinese replacements are useless and leak ink straight away.

Some years ago I used to work for Fujifilm Electronic Engineering (FFEI). They manufactured industrial inkjet printers used for packaging. They used UV curable inks and print heads made by Xaar. Each colour channel used a separate head. I seem to remember the heads required individual calibration I.e. the voltage required to generate equal size ink drops differs from head to head. I wonder if the heads used on Epson printers also require calibration during installation.

 

[The Hat]

I'd rather just buy a new Canon pixma pro-200s. (UK price around £450).

Did you ever consider trying to get a second hand Canon 100, that would be a far better choice, it would easier to run and cheaper than the pro 200..

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I seem to remember the heads required individual calibration I.e. the voltage required to generate equal size ink drops differs from head to head. I wonder if the heads used on Epson printers also require calibration during installation.

Epson is doing something very similar - printheads of lots of printers are coded - with a kind of serial number which carries individual technical parameters which are coded with a barcode, and such barcode label is attached to the printhead. When replacing such printhead you need to enter this code of the new printhead into the printer firmware, WicReset offers you to read and replace this code in the firmware. I checked on my L805 printer which is a kind of 6 ink A4 printer similar to the 1500, and WicReset is supporting this code entry.