My Epson 1900 Ink Jet died yesterday: The Epson Sylus 1900 ink jet prints great photos up to 13" wide. It started acting out yesterday after 5 years of great service. The question is...

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

The Epson Sylus 1900 ink jet prints great photos up to 13" wide. It started acting out yesterday after 5 years of great service. The question is do I buy another comparable or try to get it repaired. New comparable is $500. The 1900 cost $360 new.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

hamtrack wrote:

The Epson Sylus 1900 ink jet prints great photos up to 13" wide. It started acting out yesterday after 5 years of great service. The question is do I buy another comparable or try to get it repaired. New comparable is $500. The 1900 cost $360 new.

What is it doing?
Are the heads integral with the ink or separate?
Has it ever been cleaned?
Can YOU fix it?

Lots of questions to ask before you make a decision.

Most likely, though, labor on just CLA will run more than ½ the cost of a new printer.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

If you have carried out all nozzle cleaning and heading cleaning and it is still not working, it could be the actual print head that is defective.
My Epson 2400 started printing defective. I tried all the usual methods to sort it out. Eventually I took the printer to an Epson dealer for examination, turned out to be the printer head, which was half the price of a new replacement printer of equal spec, given its age, I purchased a replacement New printer.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Thanks for the info. I think I am coming to the conclusion that a new printer is probably the solution.

This is the problem

Kentee Loc: Southern California

hamtrack wrote:

Thanks for the info. I think I am coming to the conclusion that a new printer is probably the solution.

Horizontal lines may be the result of clogged printheads in the machine or in the Ink cartridge. This looks like a black or grey ink problem. Try cleaning in the usual manner. If no improvement, clean again, 24 hours later.

Try changing the black and grey cartridges for new ones.

Make sure you are not printing in draft mode. Use the best quality setting available.

Pray!

braindamage Loc: Appley Bridge, Lancs, U.K.

I have used Epson for a long time and have had similar problems from time to time. One thing that I have noticed that on quite a few occasions when running the nozzle cleaning software that I have had to run it numerous times before the heads are performing again. One time it was 6 or 7 times! Hope this helps?

Cotondog Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada

hamtrack wrote:

The Epson Sylus 1900 ink jet prints great photos up to 13" wide. It started acting out yesterday after 5 years of great service. The question is do I buy another comparable or try to get it repaired. New comparable is $500. The 1900 cost $360 new.

You got 5 years from your Epson. I would call that lucky. Over the past 3 1/2 years, I have had 2 Epson "quality" photo printers. The heads went in the first on in about one year, and in the second, they were shot in less than 2 years. Seems to be a common problem. Thats why I went back to Canon photo printers. In my opinion, much better printers.

Roger D Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

Hamtrack, Go to Epson's site and check out the refurbished printers. They are usually new printers that were sold and had some type of defect or perceived defect. They get sent back to Epson and completely checked out then are sold as refurbed with a one year guarantee. I have purchased this way for several years and been completely satisfied. You haven't said what your volume of printing is but things do wearout. I presume you're using Epson Inks. Non manuf inks are often the downfall of printers nevermind the brand.

hamtrack wrote:

The Epson Sylus 1900 ink jet prints great photos up to 13" wide. It started acting out yesterday after 5 years of great service. The question is do I buy another comparable or try to get it repaired. New comparable is $500. The 1900 cost $360 new.

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I had the R1900 Epson printer for several years, and of the three Epson printers I've owned, this one made the best looking prints!! I loved that printer. Needless to say, it eventually came to life's end, but during that time, from the picture you posted, I would suggest that you might continue to try cleaning the head. I know it's wasted ink, but the print looks like mine did sometimes when I needed to clean it.

budrakey

I have had three Epson printers oven the years and every one of then failed early with head problems. On the other hand, my Canon i9900 has been chugging along just fine since 2002. I'll never buy an Epson again.

stableflame

Try this, it worked for me.

http://www.specialistinks.com/cleaning-heads.php#.UT90-tan3Eg

stableflame

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

First, I want to thank all who contributed advice. Second, I took it all to heart. The local authorized repair for Epson, was helpful and explained that they would charge $45. to look at it. If they found a problem that was solvable it would be $70 per hour with a minimum of $120 on top of the look at it fee. I checked the price on a comparable with Epson and it was $500. So, I began trying your suggestions. Cleaned with home made tools like cotton swabs and kleenex. Took out all the old ink and replaced with new. It worked. I am back in business. Thanks again.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That looks like banding, caused by the print heads needing cleaning. At least that's been my experience with printers. If running a cleaning cycle - or several - does not solve the problem, I would go for a new printer. It will be totally unused and have newer technology.

WNC Ralf Loc: Candler NC, in the mountains!

I have used Epsons since the 1200 came out, can't remember when that was, many years of service. Was still working when I bought my 2200, and used that one for eight years before I converted it to B&W with seven shades of black/grey, still using it. I bought my 3880 a little over two years ago and switched it over to larger refillable carts and Cone inks, I never had a problem that a few cleanings wouldn't clear, BUT, I control heat and humidity in my "darkroom" and I print often. Low humidity and non use will most likely clog any pigment printer. The less expensive printers running dye inks will clog much less, since I sell prints occasionally I will not use dye inks. I bought my 3880 refurbed from the Epson store for less than 1000 and it came with a full set of inks worth almost half of that. Good luck, stick with Epson.

shutterbum

I have had my Epson 2200 foreleven years and have never had a problem. Granted I don't pring too many pictures, maybe 500 per year. Yes,I will probably clean the heads or nzzles some day. ery satisfied.