HP 364 (564) Refilling Newbie Questions?

[nsf4873]

Can any suggest the best course of action on using refills for a HP printer using 364 cartridges (564 are the same I think). I have 5 cartridges - 2 blacks. I do not do much printing - low volume.

1. Is it possible/recommended to refill the setup cartridges that are supplied with the printer or should the setup cartridges just be thrown away?

2. What is the current best method of getting setup so you can use refillable cartridges?

3. Is using transparent refillable cartridges and transferring chips from a set of HP cartridges the best method?

4. Can you transfer the chips from the setup cartridges or do you need to buy at least one set of cartridges?

5. Any URLS pointing to some good products would be great?

Thanks

 

[pharmacist]

I suggest you to buy one set of original 364 cartridges, not the cheap low capacity version, but the high capacity 364 XL version. This version can be refilled using the german durchstich refill method. This is the best method as the original cartridges will deliver ink ink much more reliable and steady compared to any aftermarket cartridges or refillable ones.

 

[nsf4873]

Thanks are the refillable cartridges completely a bad idea? This does not matter if you can't get the chip off the cartridges? Is this true that HP has made it much more difficult/impossible to remove the chip?

A full set of 364XL cartridges costs 60 (significantly more than the printer) and you can't see how much ink is in them so you will not know when / how much to refill?

The guide says "the prism" what does this mean?

I have had a read of the main thread but to confirm are 20 gauge blunt 2 inch needles the correct size for the 364XL cartridges?

As you are piercing the sponge in the cartridge does this not have a detrimental affect?

With the 364XL cartridge do you need to penetrate through the sponge and ink chamber?

Thanks in advance for helping I have always used laser printers in the past so an inkjet is a new experience.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

You can always refill with the German method. The trick is to figure out when they are full. There's one very simple method. If you draw back on the syringe and you get air, you know the tip of the syringe is above the liquid level. Since you know where the tip is (measure before you insert it), you know where the liquid level is. You can also try gauging it by shaking the cartridge and listening. (Not so much as to foam it up, though.) You can also see ink in the prism. That's the funny-looking clear plastic thing on the bottom--that you can't figure out what it's for. Well, that's what it's for.

But how to figure out when to refill? Well, keep notes on number of pages printed, because HP will probably force you to disable ink monitoring after the first refill. You can get a page count by printing a test page (and other methods, I suppose).

If you really can't hack that method, then you can always use the topfill method. You can buy good plugs from mikling on this forum (Precision Colors). I haven't tried them, but people here swear by them. BUT make sure there is clearance for the plugs in your printer -- that the plugs don't hit the case. Be sure to seek out mikling's directions on this forum on how not to overfill the sponge.

I don't know of anyone who recommends third-party cartridges. I don't know whether they are being overly cautious, but why try if you don't have to?

Finally, there's no reason why you can't refill the original cartridges. Just inject ink on the sponge side. Strip off the labeling over the air vent and inject into the sponge, then replace the covering over the serpentine channel with good tape (leaving the vent open! at least a pinhole). Or use the InkTec apparatus and inject into the outlet. Careful, go slow, don't get ink in the serpentine channel, or else clean it out.

However you fill, make sure the sponge is not dripping!!! Don't overfill.

To answer some more of your questions, some people penetrate the sponge with the needle, but some go under it. Careful, don't mangle the sponge, and if you go under it, be sure not to leave it pushed away from the bottom. If you think you did, tap it back into place by gently rapping the bottom (but not the outlet) against a surface.

All this is easier done than said, so just dive in.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

P.S. There's no reason why you can't refill the small cartridges, but you probably want to buy a set of XL cartridges for convenience. I'm sure you know by now that the two types should be refilled by different procedures.

 

[nsf4873]

Can the setup cartridges that come with the printer be refilled or does the printer detect setup cartridges?

Is there a guide with pictures for the best method of refilling a HP 364 standard cartridge? (I have searched and read a few posts but there does not appear to be a method specific to HP 364 and detailing where everything is and whether to cover air vent or not etc)

What happens if you overfill on a 1) HP 364 standard cartridge, 2) HP 364 XL cartridge?

Regardless of what method I use what is the suggested all round needle gauge? Will a 20gauge allow for german refilling, top filling...?

Thanks everyone for help.

 

[barfl2]

nsf4873 The only reasonably satisfactory method I found of refilling the standard OEM carts was with the Intec system of refilling clips and HP compatible inks which are of good quality but not very cheap. However the instructions STATE SLOWLY insert 3mm. These standard carts have no ink in the resevoir side and there is no connection between the resevoir and sponge (as confirmed by Pharmicist.

Whilst this works 3mm is not much and you will find yourself coninually topping up carts, because every time you refill a cart the printer then does a head clean which uses quite a bit of ink. As you said it is about 60 for a XL set but check HPprices I believe they have come down a bit. Nevertheless these Printers are pretty useless without the XL Carts.

You can refill the XL vis the German method but I had variable results particularly with the Pigment black, but perhaps I did not persist long enough. I tried transparant carts and changed chips over which is not difficult but I Do not recommend it. Started off alright, but then got banding due to ink starvation. The printer then gave an error message. I followed all the steps requested which eventually said head was faulty.

I was lucky they sent me another Printhead and set of standard carts under warranty. I then sold the Printer on and bought an older Canon MP760 which is easy to refill.

I think ThrillaMozilla idea of topfill with silicon plugs probably as good as any. much easier to gauge how much ink is in cart. You can look on E-bay and locate some s/h empty XL carts, but purge throughly before use. The Canon Users are only now getting to receive these opaque carts to refill with their various problems. But they are very good at solving problems and a lot of techniques suggested for opaque Canon will be applicable to the 364/564. Also there is NO resetter available yet for the 364. In answer to your frst question printer will detect other carts refilled/compatible and warn you. You ignore and press the yes button. Question 2 No pictorial guide I know off. Question 3 carefully blot surplus ink until stops dripping. Question 4 2" 20G fine for bottom fill about 1.5x18G for topfill.

barfl2

barfl2

 

[nsf4873]

Thanks for suggestions everyone.

I am going to go with the transparent refillable cartridges first (I know I may regret it) but I am concerned I can't see how much ink is needed when refilling HP cartridges and whether the cartridges need flushing first for best results.

I am going to buy decent ink (Image Specialists brand?) and hope for the best.

Someone posted a review of a CISS that used transparent refillables and they seemed to be reasonably pleased. I do not print much so being able to see the ink level is important keeping track and guessing what has been printed and guess what colours have been used on each page just would not work.

I will remember to print something with a lot of colour to ensure the printer gets a work out regularly hopefully that will stop any print head problems.

Just in case things do not work do you need to do a complete refill or can you just so the sponge is full with no additional ink in the chamber?

Thanks again.

 

[barfl2]

nsf4783If going for these try to get sponge filled ones. Good idea the ink is most important to reliable resultsThis was a member called Vickers which fitted a CISS to a HP309 I believe. CISS work better with HP than Canon but time you have the capital cost and there is still a learning curve to overcome. You might as well get some XL carts and learn how to fill them. and CISS are really for volume users. Regular nozzle checks will give an accurate idea of the condition of your printhead. You do not want to print large blocks of solid colours unless your nozzle check is OK.Generally you try to refill completely, however THE HAT suggests 75% which gives a reasonable print run without the risk of over-filling. The Intec system I originally mentioned does just saturate the sponge but is only applicable to the standard Cart. The HP M/C prints very well and I'm sure when you practise a bit you will get there but be patient.

barfl2