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.

 

[riclin]

You may want to think about trying to repair it - as I understand it, if you open up the head there's a rubber/neoprene/whatever gasket under the nozzle plate that separates the ink chambers. The problem you describe is apparently due to the failure of this gasket allowing the black ink to leak into the adjacent chamber. Remove the gasket, apply a VERY thin smear of silicon sealant to both faces and reassemble. I have one on the bench for attention one day but as I don't use the Epson any more, I've never actually got around to trying this. I'd be interested in your results if you do give it a try - if the head's shot then you've nothing to lose.

Removal/replacement of the head itself isn't difficult - just very fiddly. The Canon approach is much simpler which is one of the reasons I changed to that brand - and the fact that to date, I've never had a blocked Canon head. Famous last words perhaps?

 

[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..