Ink Collection Unit

[TonyM]

Hi all,
I have the Ricoh e3300 and i have the red light flashing and a message displaying prepare new ink collection unit.
Stupidly, I cannot find my installation discs which probably have the manual on them to show me where and what the ink collection unit is?
What is a n ink collection unit? I am only half way through my second set of carts, do I need to exchange this unit as often as the carts themselves? Apart from the cost of the carts I am very very happy with the printer and the power driver is a dream to work with. But now I discover there may be more expense with this collection unit. Or is it just clean out the existing one and where is it?

Many thanks

Tony

[TonyM]

PS.
I checked on BMS where I usually buy my supplies and i can only see cartridges, but no collection unit?

[Paul]

maight be some help for you...

[bms]

PS.
I checked on BMS where I usually buy my supplies and i can only see cartridges, but no collection unit?

It's here:
http://www.printerowners.co.uk/hardware ... n-unit.htm

[TonyM]

Thanks for the vid Paul and the link Martin.
I have only actually used the set of inks I had with the printer and am about halfway through my second set of carts.
Is it normal to have so much waste?
Basically I am looking at 5 carts if I count the collection unit, or almost £250 a pop.
That is a LOT!
Can the collection unit be cleaned?
Is the fill rate based on frequency of use?
I am about to do some orders and will add if I need to my order, but surely one can clean the old one and use the fix Paul gave?
Opinions please.

Tony

[bms]

but surely one can clean the old one and use the fix Paul gave?
Opinions please.

Tony

Nothing to loose in trying is there. Give it a go...

[TonyM]

Is that a rhetorical question? Do you think it may actually be ok to clean the unit and reset?
I do not want to damge my printer, but as I see it the unit is almost like another cart that eats into any money made and one that i never realised. Has anyone else using the same printer cleaned the old unit? How many changes of cartridge coincide with having to renew the unit. I am almost 1 unit per set of cartridge change. That is like having 5 carts in retrospect?
Like i said I am very happy with the printer and the software, but the cost is restrictive for the running of it.
I would do bigger run offs so I didnt have to repime all the time , but I a only just starting and only really get one offs.
Plus reading between the lines on the Vid there must be an awful ammount of waste if I need to change after 1.5 cartridge change? Maybe it is how I use the printer.
Thanks for all help thus far.

Tony

[bms]

Is that a rhetorical question? Do you think it may actually be ok to clean the unit and reset?
I do not want to damge my printer, but as I see it the unit is almost like another cart that eats into any money made and one that i never realised. Has anyone else using the same printer cleaned the old unit? How many changes of cartridge coincide with having to renew the unit. I am almost 1 unit per set of cartridge change. That is like having 5 carts in retrospect?
Like i said I am very happy with the printer and the software, but the cost is restrictive for the running of it.
I would do bigger run offs so I didnt have to repime all the time , but I a only just starting and only really get one offs.
Plus reading between the lines on the Vid there must be an awful ammount of waste if I need to change after 1.5 cartridge change? Maybe it is how I use the printer.
Thanks for all help thus far.

Tony

If the printer is telling you that this needs replacing then your choice is to buy a new one and replace or try to clean the existing and if it doesn't work then you can buy a new one. There's nothing to loose is there.

I'm not sure how easy they are to get into, but they are a self contained unit. Like with most things you can buy genuine replacements or have a go at some DIY.

[TonyM]

Thank you for that advice Martin
Has anyone had any experience of emptying and re setting the unit?
Am i unusual in having the message displaying after only one full set of carts?
Would a drill in the side and then empty the unit and reseal using a sealant, then re setting using the cheat seem plausable?
Why is there so much waste that it would need replacing so soon?
I never factored this cost into my printing and considering it is practically a fifth cartridge it needs knowing about.
Any advice on frequency of change and DIY emptying very much appreciated.

Tony

[John G]

Have you been doing excessive head cleans or flushes?