Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (
More info?)
In article <3QGad.11575$qU.9001@clgrps13>, Arthur Entlich
<artistic@telus.net> wrote:
> As you probably know not all Epson printers use dye inks, some are
> designed for pigmented. However, many people have successfully run
> pigmented inks through the dye ink printers, and I suppose vice versa.
>
> However, I do believe the R300 is a dye ink printer.
>
> Dye ink formulations are all similar, BUT, they can be different in pH,
> charge, viscosity (thickness), boiling point, evaporation rate, drying
> factors, size of filtering for solids, color dye used, etc.
>
> Keep in mind that most HP printers use a thermal method of projecting
> the ink to the paper. That means a resistor/heater in the head warms up
> and boils the ink, and the liquid in the ink changes to vapor at the
> head and projects a drop of ink forward.
>
> Epson printers use a piezo-electric actuator which flexes when an
> electrical current is applied, and this causes a droplet of the ink to
> spray out the nozzle. The ink does not require any heating at all.
>
> So, will the ink work? It may and it may not. It may just make a mess.
> If may work, but run or bleed on the paper and it may require
> experimentation with paper and color management to get a similar color
> result to the Epson inks. It is unlikely to ruin the printer head,
> unless the pH is very different and it causes clots with the Epson ink
> when mixed. You may find it doesn't work very well and you have to go
> back to Epson inks.
>
> Epson inks are alkaline, and mix well with ammoniated window cleaner
> which is also quite alkaline. SOme Lyson inks, made as substitute inks
> for Epson printers, are acidic and cannot be mixed with the Epson inks.
>
> You may wish to test the HP inks to see if they mix with ammoniated
> window cleaner, as a check for pH.
>
> Art
> Flyboy wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> > I have a supply of large capacity (350 ml) HP ink carts from a wide
> > format printer that my company no longer has. The carts are out of date
> > but have never been opened. I am thinking of building a CFS system for
> > my new Epson R300 and I wonder if the ink from the HP carts (dye based)
> > can be used in the Epson printer. Epson inks are dye based also so I
> > have a feeling this will work. If my idea is correct all I will need to
> > find is a set of always full chips for my Epson carts and the time and
> > patience to try building the continuous flow system.
> > Anyone have any thoughts on this???
>
Wow,
You folks are great. Thanks for all the terrific info. After reading
your replies, I think I'll at least stick with compatible cartridges
for safety's sake. I surely don't want to screw up my new printer and
some of the compatibles that claim to be guaranteed seem the safest way
to go for now.