icecream
Newbie to Printing
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 8
- Printer Model
- epson 9600
Hi all
My 9600 seems to have intermittent issues with the Light Black channel. It tends to jump around from all nozzles working, to half working, to almost none working. Sometimes cleaning cycles help, but usually they make it worse. For example, I was getting near perfect nozzle test results for a few days and printed a bunch of things, and then the printer ran one of its automated cleaning cycles after which the light gray was largely gone again. I'm now at a point however where I am unable to get any better than ~30% LK functioning nozzles.
Some history:
* I acquired the printer a few years ago. Removed and cleaned the head and cleaned all ink tubes. Replaced dampers.
* It had been functioning quite well up until around 6 months ago when the LK channel started to become difficult.
* Printer hasn't been used much, and has sat idle for months at a time.
* I have been using new old stock genuine ink. Around 10 years out of date. I've added some Photo-Flo which was a recommendation I think I found here for old ink.
Things tried:
* Remove and clean LK damper.
* Push Windex through LK channel of print head in situ.
* Three different LK ink/cartridges.
* Ink charge cycle.
* KK2 cycle.
Things observed:
* Drawing ink through damper doesn't feel any more restricted than other channels.
* Ink usage in LK channel was possibly less than other channels, but this could be for many reasons.
* No air in the lines.
* KK2 cycle seems to give best results. Yesterday it recovered to 100%, but then disappeared again during the next print.
This seems like possibly an ink starvation issue, but it's hard to say. In the field repair guide (pg 15) they suggest also checking the 'Ink Valve' (which I assume is what is referred to as the 'Needle Frame ASSY' in the service manual) which is what I guess I'll try next, although it feels like a long shot. The other possibility is that it's an intermittent electrical issue most probably in the head, although the nature of it doesn't seem electrical to me.
Anyhow, just thought I'd tap into the brains trust for any thoughts or suggestions. Appreciate any help.
My 9600 seems to have intermittent issues with the Light Black channel. It tends to jump around from all nozzles working, to half working, to almost none working. Sometimes cleaning cycles help, but usually they make it worse. For example, I was getting near perfect nozzle test results for a few days and printed a bunch of things, and then the printer ran one of its automated cleaning cycles after which the light gray was largely gone again. I'm now at a point however where I am unable to get any better than ~30% LK functioning nozzles.
Some history:
* I acquired the printer a few years ago. Removed and cleaned the head and cleaned all ink tubes. Replaced dampers.
* It had been functioning quite well up until around 6 months ago when the LK channel started to become difficult.
* Printer hasn't been used much, and has sat idle for months at a time.
* I have been using new old stock genuine ink. Around 10 years out of date. I've added some Photo-Flo which was a recommendation I think I found here for old ink.
Things tried:
* Remove and clean LK damper.
* Push Windex through LK channel of print head in situ.
* Three different LK ink/cartridges.
* Ink charge cycle.
* KK2 cycle.
Things observed:
* Drawing ink through damper doesn't feel any more restricted than other channels.
* Ink usage in LK channel was possibly less than other channels, but this could be for many reasons.
* No air in the lines.
* KK2 cycle seems to give best results. Yesterday it recovered to 100%, but then disappeared again during the next print.
This seems like possibly an ink starvation issue, but it's hard to say. In the field repair guide (pg 15) they suggest also checking the 'Ink Valve' (which I assume is what is referred to as the 'Needle Frame ASSY' in the service manual) which is what I guess I'll try next, although it feels like a long shot. The other possibility is that it's an intermittent electrical issue most probably in the head, although the nature of it doesn't seem electrical to me.
Anyhow, just thought I'd tap into the brains trust for any thoughts or suggestions. Appreciate any help.