Epson SC P900 what is going on

[drfihl]

It is pointless and wasteful to continue diagnosing with software printing long as your FIRMWARE printing has obvious problems. The prints you get from QTR are meaningless for diagnostic. It is like you are trying to diagnose an car engine problem by looking at how the wheels are spinning, while ignoring the report a technician just gave you (the nozzle check)! You need to either get in there and solve the hardware problem or find someone experienced that can do that for you. Printing anything until the nozzle check is OK is pointless.

Question again. Is the way to go, patience and TLC as prescibed by Arthur Entlich. and that is: No pressure flushing, that is flush cartridge, under carriage "wetting" withe lint free cotton or paper?

When it comes to checking the tubes and dampers it is out of my reach, and then I have a B&W printer - printing with QTR.

 

[drfihl]

I agree with @x64. You are seeing software issues with Quad Tone RIP and it is distracting you.

To help you understand, here are the Windows reelease notes for QuadToneRIO version 2.8.2 (most recent I believe).
Note that it mentions not supporting all ten inks of the P900, simulating black, and that the VM is not supported. I think that is a pretty good indication that you cannot depend on QuadToneRIP to do what you think it is doing:

QuadToneRIP version 2.8.2 and 2.8.2 Release Notes​

​

This is a bug fix for version 2.8.1 or 2.8.1.1 -- all users with either should upgrade.​

​

The release also includes new versions of Print-Tool and Data-Tool​

​

!! --- Windows Caveat --- PC users must read !!​

​

The PC front end QTRgui unfortunately cannot support 10 inks. So due to the​

importance of MK ink I've decided to simulate the switching of blank inks as has​

been done for many previous Epson printers. The violet ink is not supported with this.​

​

To accomplish this I've created to additional printers named P708 and P908 that​

are usable as 8 ink printers. They will use the Black Ink selection in printing to​

give you matte of photo ink. So inks are: K, C, M, Y, LC, LM, LK, LLK​

Note that K represents either Photo or Matte black ink depending on the printing dialog,​

just like it's always been before.​

​

​

Important:​

This has several side effects that one needs to be aware of. The .quad and .qidf files​

are mostly the same but incompatible for using matte black ink.​

​

This is the general idea:​

Use QuadP700 and QuadP900 if you have 10 ink curves made somewhere else i.e. on a Mac,​

Piezo, Boutwell. You can't use QTRgui on these.​

​

Use QuadP708 and QuadP908 if you want to Create curves/profiles yourself using QTRgui.​

It's all similar to what you might have done with previous printers​

​

NOTE!: So I would not even count on it flushing the correct inks either

Thanks . VM not supported. M is the problem. M is supported.

 

[thebestcpu]

Thanks . VM not supported. M is the problem. M is supported.

Thanks. I was confused by Quad Tone RIP using different initials for the inks .
V for violet is not supported yet VM (vivid Magenta) and VLM Vivid Light Magenta) are supported.

I believe QTR is using M instead of VM which Epson uses, and also LM in QTR, while Epons uses VLM (see the nozzle check initials in your image)

Sorry for the confusion
John Wheeler

 

[drfihl]

Thanks. I was confused by Quad Tone RIP using different initials for the inks .
V for violet is not supported yet VM (vivid Magenta) and VLM Vivid Light Magenta) are supported.

I believe QTR is using M instead of VM which Epson uses, and also LM in QTR, while Epons uses VLM (see the nozzle check initials in your image)

Sorry for the confusion
John Wheeler

It is pointless and wasteful to continue diagnosing with software printing long as your FIRMWARE printing has obvious problems. The prints you get from QTR are meaningless for diagnostic. It is like you are trying to diagnose an car engine problem by looking at how the wheels are spinning, while ignoring the report a technician just gave you (the nozzle check)! You need to either get in there and solve the hardware problem or find someone experienced that can do that for you. Printing anything until the nozzle check is OK is pointless.

In my view - QTR is not controlling the spinning of the wheels. It is the very central control of ignition and valves.

 

[thebestcpu]

In my view - QTR is not controlling the spinning of the wheels. It is the very central control of ignition and valves.

I think your issues are beyond my pay grade. If you want more ideas on ink clog issues, you can look at the P900 maintenance manual which can be accesed here through Scribd (90 day free subscription). Quite detailed with color diagrams etc: P700/P900 Maintenance Manul

Here are two screenshots one of the cleaning cycles in the P900 and troubleshooting guide when you do not have a clean nozzle check:

I provide these as a pointer and also so you know the issues can be more than just clogged nozzles.
Hope it is helpful
John Wheeler

 

[x64]

In my view - QTR is not controlling the spinning of the wheels. It is the very central control of ignition and valves.

OK, that view will make solving the hardware problem with your P900, confirmed by the firmware nozzle check print very difficult for you.

 

[drfihl]

OK, that view will make solving the hardware problem with your P900, confirmed by the firmware nozzle check print very difficult for you.

OK. I didnt say that would be my only way to go. Just pointin out that QTR is a good tool for B&W printing and as a diagnostic tool.

now I will look into @thebestcpu suggestions. And reread Arthur Entlichs manual for cleaning.

 

[drfihl]

I think your issues are beyond my pay grade. If you want more ideas on ink clog issues, you can look at the P900 maintenance manual which can be accesed here through Scribd (90 day free subscription). Quite detailed with color diagrams etc: P700/P900 Maintenance Manul

Here are two screenshots one of the cleaning cycles in the P900 and troubleshooting guide when you do not have a clean nozzle check:

View attachment 17639

View attachment 17640

I provide these as a pointer and also so you know the issues can be more than just clogged nozzles.
Hope it is helpful
John Wheeler

3.2.3 I will look into the wiper, eventually dirty cap and forign matter adhering to the print head. I will use windex and polyalcohol and lot of patience while performing under printhead cleaning. (if possible modus Entlich) ??

I experienced that cranking the printer up the printhead doesnt travel to the left. In old epson printers you could release the printhead by starting the printer and then disconnect the power befor the printhead travelled back to the cap station.

So I made a Nozzle check and disconnected the main power and the printhead was released. But not much space down there.

 

[thebestcpu]

3.2.3 I will look into the wiper, eventually dirty cap and forign matter adhering to the print head. I will use windex and polyalcohol and lot of patience while performing under printhead cleaning. (if possible modus Entlich) ??

I experienced that cranking the printer up the printhead doesnt travel to the left. In old epson printers you could release the printhead by starting the printer and then disconnect the power befor the printhead travelled back to the cap station.

So I made a Nozzle check and disconnected the main power and the printhead was released. But not much space down there.

Sounds good.
Here is a summary of the other problems for the P900, aside from a nozzle clog, and some information on how to differentiate them. This is from online, so I cannot attest to its complete accuracy, yet it sounds about right. This is a bit beyond my own knowledge, yet it was helpful to me since I also have a P900. The only other factor not often discussed is OEM inks versus compatible inks. Experience from others indicates that OEM ink is better at preventing clogs and clearing them when they do occur.

I hope you get it solved.
John Wheeler

Epson P900 Nozzle Check Issues - Beyond Simple Clogs​

===================================================​

​

1. Ink Cartridge / Ink Supply​

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- Empty or very low cartridge (even if printer reports ink remaining).​

- Defective chip or sensor causing incorrect ink status.​

- Improperly seated cartridge preventing ink flow.​

​

2. Ink Lines and Dampers​

-------------------------​

- Air bubbles trapped in ink lines (common after cartridge changes or long idle times).​

- Partially blocked damper/filter reducing flow.​

- Collapsed or kinked ink line preventing ink delivery.​

​

3. Capping and Cleaning Station​

-------------------------------​

- Capping station misalignment (head not sealing properly when parked).​

- Dirty or dried wiper blade smearing instead of cleaning.​

- Pump failure (weak suction or cracked tubing).​

- Cap pad contamination preventing proper suction.​

​

4. Environmental & Usage Factors​

--------------------------------​

- Printer left idle for long periods, ink drying at nozzle plate.​

- Low humidity (<40%) accelerating drying of nozzles.​

- Frequent short prints without maintenance allowing sediment/micro-bubbles.​

​

5. Electronics & Print Head Issues​

----------------------------------​

- Electrical failure in nozzle bank (driver circuitry failure).​

- Physical damage (scratched or delaminated nozzle plate).​

- Head overheating from repeated purges damaging piezo elements.​

​

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​

Summary - How to Differentiate Causes​

-------------------------------------​

- Nozzles reappear intermittently after cleaning/flushing → Air or drying issue.​

- Full channel always blank → Damper, pump, or electrical failure.​

- Patchy pattern that changes each test → Air bubbles or capping/wiping issues.​

- Identical missing spots each time → True clogs or permanently dead nozzle rows.​

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