CISS Question

[Starfront]

Hi Everyone,

What is actually involved with installing a CISS? Is it as simple as filling the system with Sub ink and away you go? I currently use refillable carts without the added continuous system, and its becoming very annoying having to re-fill manually all the time, getting ink everywhere, getting pressure right, at the moment some colours dont even print.. Therefore I'm assuming with ciss you set this up once, then re-fill inks in the external tubes?

Thanks

[Justin]

Installing a CIS is pretty straight forward. Personally having used them for years I now prefer to opt for refil carts, far less air blocking problems. I find it quick and easy to whip them out and refil.....what pressure can't you get right? If colours aren't printing you've either a blockage or air trapped.

If you're having to refil regularly then a CIS is a good option though.

[Starfront]

Justin,

Well... Here's the whole story.

I brought a printer epson sx445w then some empty carts - filled them with sub ink but couldn't get them to print until someone said try sucking air out of the exit holes - which I did with the syringes that came with the cartridges. However after the inks get to about 2/3's full they seem to lose pressure and stop printing ink, after refilling to the top they will print normally again! But I think my refilling method is wrong - do I refill via the ink exit hole or straight into the top? Once ink is filled ive been having to suck excess air out like a mad man! Tonight I had so many issues with air pockets I've had to leave them alone and go again tomorrow with a fresh head.

I just don't understand where I'm going wrong...

[Justin]

Ink fills in the top not the exit hole. I've never had any issues with my refil carts so I'm not sure why this would be happening, I guess they could be faulty.

[Starfront]

Hmm your carts use sublimation ink?

Im unsure too mate, its really weird... When it works the quality is fantastic but when I have these small issues its a nightmare.

I wish there were places I could take my printer for someone to advise me and physically show me where I'm going wrong.

[Justin]

Well, you're in the best place for advice! lol. Have you tried standard carts with the printer to see if any problems persist? If these are ok then it no doubt points to the refil carts. if it's a 4 colour printer you shouldn't need to pay more than around £10 for a decent set of carts. Other possible problem is the ink of course.

[Starfront]

I can't put normal ink through a printer that's used for sublimation?

[Justin]

Yes you can swap over, best to run a couple of pages with decent amount of coverage on all colours to make sure it's through.

[JSR]

best to run a couple of pages with decent amount of coverage on all colours to make sure it's through.

This depends on the printer being used. Epson printers typically go through a "charging cycle" when the cartridges are replaced, which should clean out any old ink from the printhead automatically. It's only printers that have their inks remote from the printhead that need the old inks flushing out.

I've swapped between OEM inks and dye-syb refills on my B40W a couple of times and never "flush" the old ink by printing a couple of pages of decent coverage. You print a couple of pages with decent coverage using Epson's thimble-sized cartridges, and they'll be empty before you start printing something you actually want.

[Starfront]

Where is a reputable company who I can purchase decent carts from who will prove support should it be required?

Thanks