N4646W

I live in a area where there are no large format repair tech's. So I am slowly, very slowly trying to keep my units running.

So far I have resurrect an Epson 9600 and it is doing quite well. I have 3 Epson 9000's. One was running, two I got for parts. The parts units were stated as having major service codes. One came with a complete set of new boards packed inside the unit.

Okay, so the 9000 that was initially working had a minor problem that bugged me. Now understand, this was before I had ever even thought about delving into the insides of a printer. So got the manual, and found that all I had to do was adjust the lever for the front cover. Did it, got rid of having to slam the cover to print. Buttt, now I have a major service code. Possible mother board, power supply board, ect. ect.. Epson was absolutely not willing to help. Suggested a service tech from my area that was certified. He comes out, starts removing panels and then nothing works, packs up his equipment, tells me it is unsalvageable and leaves. Ok, so I do some reading, oh, Epsons are soft power, unplug before removing panels. So I swapped main boards and power boards from other units. No luck, swap out control panel, it powers on. Went back to initial boards and it powers on. Now I have the code for the "platen gap gear backlash adjustment". I tried adjusting it, replacing the unit, even with a new one and the corresponding circuit board. Still cannot get it to work. I'm missing something. There has to be something else involved. I just have no idea where to look. I have the updated Epson manual and Erick's manual. Hope someone has a direction they can point me in.

My last hope is a certified tech, but they want a minimum of $400 travel time plus $250 to diagnose and $180 per hr. Then it is the travel time and $180 per hour for the repair visit.

Regards,
Ron

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

Those 9000s use 'dye based' ink. You can't get them to run pigments. I wouldn't put much time, or money, into trying to resurrect them, especially money. Just my 02.

N4646W

All three of the 9000s are running (were running) pigment ink. I understand that you can run dye, but I have loads of pigmented inks, and do not want to convert to dye.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

The printheads on the 7000/9000, were not made to run pigments. And although, you can run pigments, for a while, then you start running into other problems coming from the electrical feedback from the printhead, or something to that affect. This came from a Epson repair guy (neighbor), when I was trying to convert a 9000 over to pigment inks, years ago.

N4646W

This is interesting, Guess I had better research the cartridge numbers and find out just what I have. I never looked into it as I had a large supply of cartridges, and to this point doing CAD with it have not had to change out the cartridges that were in it.

Thanks for that info, would hate to ruin the heads, as one unit is set up to do B&W prints using variations of black and greys plus cyan, magenta, and yellow.

N4646W

Well did the research, the 9000 does use both types of inks. Called Epson and spoke with the tech's also. They confirmed this. One did say that yes, the printer was liable to give you less problems with dye inks as they do not have the pigment particle which can and often do clog the print heads if the printer is idle for long periods. Pigment particles will settle out in the cartridges, lines, and print head. When put back in use the larger particles caused by the settling move through the system and clog the head. Cleaning and Power cleaning use the ink to try to break up the particles to allow them to pass through the print head.
But this side discussion still does not resolve my problem.

Singing Swan

and I have nothing to add except that after you get this fixed ... you should offer your services as a repair person for these things and make beaucoup dollars. I do wish you good luck in your repair efforts :)

N4646W

I was offered the opportunity to become an Epson Certified Tech, but can't afford the time off from work or the expense. It is an interesting challenge, but after I get this 9000 working I have 2 more 9000's that I will try to salvage one more out of.

N4646W

Might as well dump this one, looks like there is no one into printer repairs or rebuilding

R

N4646W

Well I've made numerous calls to Epson since the last post trying to get Epson to sell me the set-up jigs and tech software for my printers. Apparently these items for these out dated/obsolete printers is top secret and requires a person to be a certified tech and a secret hand shake.

What a waste of good equipment. I understand they want to sell new printers, but not everyone has $6K to shell out for a new unit every couple of years. They would still get to sell the ink, which is their main money flow for the break even cost of the printers. A lot of these older units get passed on to others whom will purchase ink and paper, so it would seem that their business plan has a flaw. Too bad, great printers, just bad support for the older units.

Guess next step is to try to get in touch with Seiko and eliminate Epson USA from the loupe.

Ron

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

Good Luck! Keep us posted. Guy was going to give me a 9600 last week, said it ran, but wife had some medical troubles, and I couldn't go get it.

N4646W

That is too bad, they are a great printer. Hope you get a chance at it again.

N4646W

I now have two 9600s. Just picked one up that had less than 800 prints run through it, but was left setting in storage for the last 4 plus years. Needless to say, lines, dampers, and head were a mess. Have been purging the system with warm distilled water and isopropyl to clean them out. Will take some time. Not sure if I will be able to clean the head, but they are still available.

I like the 7 colors, makes quite a difference in photo work and sure adds some pop to my CAD. Over kill for CAD, but fun.

Was reading about an ink supplier that states that their photo black will produce the same as matte black on matte paper. If so, saves having to purge the line when changing over, and allows a greater paper selection and the ability to trick the printer. When this one is up and running, I'll give it a try.

Hope you are able to get the 9600, and that you wife is better.
Ron

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

Nope, it went to a different home.