JLWsales Epson R200 CIS Review

[dmagic1]

I guess it just the R200. My mistake, I thought I heard someone with a 300 say it did the same.

[Noahtuck]

I could not get the SSC Service Utility to do anything with my R200 so i just dumped it....

[dmagic1]

Only features I found to work were:
Head cleanings
Protection Counter

[nickelzy]

Jtoolman - thanks for your help, I appreciate the info! One follow up question though, regarding something that you stated...

1: Initial charge refers to the filling up of the wells in the print head as when new. That's why when you first install ink on a new machine the levels will drop to like 90% without even printing a test page. I can only guess that in the case of the SSC utility it used to perfrom a similar charge up in the case of an air pocket in the print head wells.

I think you have answered the question that I have asked numerous times but never really got a direct answer. I complained that immediately after installing the CIS System from JLW Sales, and using for only a day, the ink levels decreased significantly. Yeah, I did do a few cleanings and several 5x7 photos to test things out. However, to go through as much ink as it did just didn't make sense. I was wondering, and asked on this forum, whether when you initially install the system, do the cartridges take ink from the chamber to fill up which would result in a greater decrease in ink than what you would normally see. Based on what you wrote above, I assume that is correct? If not, then this baby is using WAY too much ink.

Not sure if I was very clear above - basically the bottom line is that I was thinking that the cartridges come empty, so when you install for the first time, they take ink from the chamber which results in a pretty significant loss of ink from the big chamber. Is this correct? And a follow up question to that is how often do the cartridges fill up - do they just continuously fill, or do they print until they get low and then fill back up at once?

[jtoolman2000]

The carts come full but the printer's head wells are empty are empty so during initial install of the CIS it will charge the wells as well as purge some ink through the nozzles as when performing a cleaning cycle but a lot more intense. I am not at all sure as to how much ink volume does in CCs does it take nor what it's normal on this system to lose during initial charge up. The norm for this CIS seems to be that for whatever reason, it tends to use ink at a faster rate than plain individual carts. I normally use carts from Magetoners.com and not knowing the actual volume in these when new, I can't really correlate what the CIS rate of comsumption is. If indeed, the ink is being used up faster, and it is not laying down any MORE ink in a given print job, the the ink has to be going somewhere right?? Some of users who have done the mod taking the drain tube that drains into the main ink pads and feeding it to a bottle out side the printer, have said that the bottle seems to fill at a fairly alarming rate. Going back to the carts, I remember that If I ever needed to do two -three consecutive cleaning cycles, the ink lever indicator would drop dramaticaly. Anyway, I hope this was of some help.

[seashadow]

"Don't forget..... DO NOT EVER use the "move cartridge to exchange position" with the SSC on the R200."


What happens?

[poolenglish]

This system has been awesome for me. I have printed about 400 - 500 disks and my resevoirs are ALL just above half. I rarely print documents or pictures.I never turn the printer off
(for ink savings). I have had the system about 3 mo. give or take. Never a problem .......but the routings of the ink tubes took some time to think of the best way. My method in previous post (link)pics seems to be the best..... at least for disk printing people.

[nickelzy]

Did you all notice a fairly significant loss of ink when you initially started using the CIS system, and then things evened out? I'm just still a little weary of the system since after only a couple of days, I lost so much ink. Maybe this is normal when you first get the system set up. Things this past week seem to be ok for the most part - I haven't noticed anymore significant loss of ink. I'm just trying to make sense of all of this. I probably lost about 20% of my ink over 3 days. I have to admit though, I did something that now I know not to do, and that is that I ran several head cleanings. I had some problems when I first set things up so that was the only thing at the time I knew to do. I probably ran 7 or 8 cleanings during that time.

Do you all ever do cleanings at all or is there a better way to fix clogged heads or decline in print quality? If the cleanings are what are responsible for my huge loss of ink, then I want to use them only as a last resort!

[Bodyslide]

This system has been awesome for me. I have printed about 400 - 500 disks and my resevoirs are ALL just above half. I rarely print documents or pictures.I never turn the printer off
(for ink savings). I have had the system about 3 mo. give or take. Never a problem .......but the routings of the ink tubes took some time to think of the best way. My method in previous post (link)pics seems to be the best..... at least for disk printing people.

Where's the link?

[poolenglish]

This system has been awesome for me. I have printed about 400 - 500 disks and my resevoirs are ALL just above half. I rarely print documents or pictures.I never turn the printer off
(for ink savings). I have had the system about 3 mo. give or take. Never a problem .......but the routings of the ink tubes took some time to think of the best way. My method in previous post (link)pics seems to be the best..... at least for disk printing people.

Where's the link?

2 pics below
http://members.cox.net/layhay/epson%20setup%202%20moving%20001.jpg

http://members.cox.net/layhay/epson%20setup%202%20007.jpg

[phelix]

Earlier in this thread, people have mentioned using ink from mediastreet to refill their CIS. How well does mediastreet ink match the ink that comes with the CIS from JLWsales? Also, will I have to purge out the old ink when switching to mediastreet ink, or can I just let the old ink mix with the new?



As for my experience so far, the CIS has performed well. 800 8.5x11 full color pages so far and no significant problems. Given my ink usage and prices at mediastreet, I'd estimate the ink cost will be 3.5 cents per page with 90% - 100% coverage. Compare that to 40 - 50 cents for color laser and Epson ink cartridges.

[dmagic1]

"Don't forget..... DO NOT EVER use the "move cartridge to exchange position" with the SSC on the R200."


What happens?

It will make a horrible grinding noise. It sounds like its forcing the cartridge across. Its enough to make your heart skip a beat or as someone else stated, "sh*t in your pants".

[RickTheRed]

Does anyone has tried bulk ink from this place?
http://www.atlanticinkjet.com

I have ordered 6x250ml. I should receive them later on this week. Will let you know.

[dmagic1]

Looks like a good price. Let us know how it turns out.

[johne]

For some reason my ink monitor is notifying me that my carts are running low, even though the bulk res. is over half, not sure what gives here, do i have to reset the ink carts or soemthing?

[dmagic1]

The epson monitor will do that. You carts should reset themselves when they read about 1/4 left. If not just push the ink button on the printer. Then push it again to return the carriage to the normal position. The next time you print the 1/4 empty carts should then reset.

[johne]

thanks alot dmagic, that did the trick perfect, duh :P

[poolenglish]

I never have had to use ssc or other programs....I have never turned the printer power off...i have seen the fluid levels go down and next time i use the printer they are back to the top.
I have not overanilized problems. A good suggestion FOR ALL.....BE PATIENT! Testing and cleaning COSTS! Ink! ...... Any questions on buying it for noobs....at least for CD/DVD labels - DO IT!

This printer is good with the system, WITHOUT THE Continuous Ink Supply; it SUCKS (ink and money for cartridges).

[Noahtuck]

I never have had to use ssc or other programs....I have never turned the printer power off...i have seen the fluid levels go down and next time i use the printer they are back to the top.
I have not overanilized problems. A good suggestion FOR ALL.....BE PATIENT! Testing and cleaning COSTS! Ink! ...... Any questions on buying it for noobs....at least for CD/DVD labels - DO IT!

This printer is good with the system, WITHOUT THE Continuous Ink Supply; it SUCKS (ink and money for cartridges).

I second all the above 8)
Except i do shut mine off, but that has been no issue for me either way i have printed Sooooo many dvd's & covers in the last week.... OMG!!!! i love this printer with the CIS!!!!

[jtoolman2000]

For some reason my ink monitor is notifying me that my carts are running low, even though the bulk res. is over half, not sure what gives here, do i have to reset the ink carts or soemthing?

It is assuming that you are running regular cartriges so it is counting down down as it normally does. EVen if you had 1 gallon ink tanks, it would still tell you it is running low. That's the point of the Auto Reset chips. Remember, the carts are constantly replenished and their volume NEVER actually drops.

[odinfire]

Dmagic1 --

I just wanted to mention that I too have been going through the clogged cart problem with light magenta. After writing I was able to get a replacement kit. When the replacement came, the black ink tube was disconnected and ink was everywhere inside the box. What I did was detach the light magenta cart, exchanged it and everything seems to work ok again. I think the light magenta carts are simply prone to clogging. NONE of the other carts have a problem and Ive had my kit since December. My only suggestion to you would be to replace the cartridge. I do a lot of printing and I like to be able to walk away from the printer and know its fine. Before I changed the cart, it would clog, I would do something to fix it and then walk away only to find I wasted 3 or 4 sheets of paper as it would then clog itself again after 10 or 20 prints. I might simply suggest you insist for a replacement cart. Its the only thing thats going to resolve the problem.

[dmagic1]

I've already contacted JLW for a new cart. It hasn't arrived yet though. I guess replacements dont ship as fast as the originals. I have managed to once again get the cart unclogged. I had to break out the syringe again and pull a ton of ink thur again. At first the ink wouldn't even come thur. The cart was caving in and still no ink passing thru the tube. Then finally the clog broke loose.
Funny thing is when it does clogg, its only when I have to turn it off or do a head cleaning. I've done that a few times since my last clogg and its still fine. Hopefully it will keep working and I won't have to go thru the trouble detaching the cart.

[bigwhite]

bought one of these for the canon i865, installed it today. Some experimentation to route the tubes as the canon chasis is different from the epson. However ink is flowing back from the cartridges to the ink tanks?? This has left the cartridges empty. The tubes are almost empty to?? Any ideas suggestions as what might be wrong and how to fix it? Have e mailed jlwsales, waiting for a reply

[bidefordboy]

To be honest I have no idea how this system is set up on the Canon. The cartridges should have been full of ink when you received it & there should have been some ink in the tubes.Check the following :-
1/ Have you taken of the sealing caps & replaced them with the filters ?
2/ Make sure the cis is at the same level as your printer.
3/ Run a few cleaning cycles.
Hope this helps.

[bigwhite]

sealing caps removed and air filters in place, the unit sits on the sam e shelf as the printer, so bothe level. The CIS is the same set up as the epson one. Have sent pics off to JLWSales as requested

[bigwhite]

Nothing back from JLWsales. Why isnt the ink flowing to the cartridges????? Beats the hell out of me

[bidefordboy]

Looks like there is too much ink in the small tanks. Take the filters off, slowly tip the tanks over to get all the ink back into the big tanks ( this will get rid of the air ). Stand tanks upright again, put filters back on & run a few cleaning cycles. See if this works.


p.s

You may have to let it stand overnight.

[bigwhite]

well tried that. The ink still runs back down the tubes to the ink tanks, its going the wrong way arrrggghhhh the oly thing I can think of is that air is getting in, possibly at the cartridge where it fits onto the printer head

[bidefordboy]

Looks like JLW sent you empty carts, they should have been full when you received them. They can be refilled but this means disconnecting tubing, drilling holes & using a syringe etc.. Can't advise you how to do this as I have never done it myself. Here is one link that may help http://www.marrutt.com/refillables-inst.php
Perhaps other readers can offer you more help.

[dmagic1]

the oly thing I can think of is that air is getting in, possibly at the cartridge where it fits onto the printer head

Thats what I think too. Thats the only way ink will leave the tubes and go back to the tanks. Air is getting into the carts some way. Either thru the bottom of the carts or a leak in the carts some where else.