[AdamW]

Hey folks--
Used to be, when the red low ink light on my C84 was blinking, I could open the Epson Print Center utility and find out which color needed replacing. I could also clean and align the heads, etc. Not anymore.
Now, I've got the printer connected via USB to an Airport Extreme. I share the printer with a Powerbook via Airport and a Quicksilver connected via Ethernet to the base station. Printing works great. BUT--the red low ink light on the printer is flashing and when I open Epson Print Center there are no printers listed.
So how can I tell which ink tank needs replacing?
Thanks--
Adam

[AdamW]

Well, I heard from Epson. The answer is that the printer has to be connected directly to the computer for the Epson Print Utility to function. This is a minor pain, but doable. It is however, a decidedly inelgant and un-Mac-like workaround. Oh well....
Adam

[Scoot65]

Thanks for giving an update. It might help others who are having the same problem

[ANDREWMIGLIORE]

The message is not staying on the topic but it 'll save your guys some $$$.
When the ink level reach to 0, the system will ask you to change the ink cartridge but in fact, it still contain around 38% of the ink.
Please check the following link
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,113112,00.asp
If I can bypass the Epson software, I can use 100% of the ink instead of 62%
Does anyone knows if there is a solution for it?
I am using R200 but the ink cost is killing me.

[jaloopa]

You can get kits to flash the chip in the ink cartridge so the printer thinks its full. With one of those you can save money by refilling the cartridge from bottled ink

[ANDREWMIGLIORE]

Just done my reserach on the reset kit.
I found few websites that provide the refill solution with auto reset chip.
Few questions:
1) Does anyone ever try to use the refill kit?
My friend had bad experience about the needle type refill ink and suggest me to stay away from it.
2) Will the kit void my warranty or break my printer head? I know the printer is not expensive but if I have a job to complete, I would not take any chance.
3) What about the ink quality? It may save me few dollars here but to trade few dollasr with quality is not a good idea.

[nnager]

I had re-filled ink cartridges for a couple years until my previous Epson printer broke down immediately following a re-fill operation. The running of the Epson utilities did not help, nor did the insertion of a new Epson-brand ink cartridge to replace the one that went sour.
I did not re-fill cartridges until after the warranty on that Epson expired because it would have voided the warranty.
With my new C-84, I discovered another reason not to use re-fills: the ink used by the C-84 keeps my photos from fading as fast as they did before Epson switched to DuraBrite inks for the newer models. It also seems to resist smearing.
But I would love to be able to use the DuraBrite cartidges until they are really empty.
Respectfully, Norm

[Philbert]

On refilling, it's a risky business.
First, with droplet size getting smaller and smaller, the viscosity of the ink becomes even more vital. Stick some ink in there that's slightly too thick, and your printer is hosed. Second, if image quality is important, you're not going to have a clue of what you'll get with third party ink - and I've yet to see no-name ink give equal (let alone better), quality than the manufacturers ink. Third, you can throw any hope of print longevity out the window.
On trying to wring every ounce of ink out of a cartridge, it's a risky business.
If you go too far and run out of ink, you'll suck air into the system ... and your printer is hosed. Can you really estimate accurate enough to stop just short of "empty"?
Ink is expensive but it's cheaper than a new printer. (the good printers anyway) Personally, I change cartridges when the printer tells me to.

[ANDREWMIGLIORE]

This is what I've found about the refill ink and bulk ink system
http://www.dyesub.or...=2065.21&searchstring=inkrepublic
http://www.ink-etc.com/refilltips.html#Epson
Needle Refill:
It clogg the printer head if air got into the printer head.
The original cartridge sponge will colgg after few refill
Refill whenever the 12ml cartridge run oout of ink. That means I have to refill it every week.
It will cross-contaminate the color because the sponge contains ink.
A Chipset resetter is required.
No hardware modification is required.
Bulk Ink System:
Initial cost more than needle refill.
Only refill when external ink bottle run out of ink.
The initial set up takes more time and may need some tech background.
Reset Chipset is included.
*No hardware modification is required.

Regarding to warranty, how does Epson that I modified the caridge or use a bulk ink system since there is no hardware modification is required?
I am sick and tired of the cost of the ink and maybe a lot of you guys has the same feeling. I will try to find out more info and hopefully I can come out with a more professional report.

[Earthling7]

Great info, ANDREWMIGLIORE. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Keep it coming... /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[ANDREWMIGLIORE]

I think I shall open a new topic.
Epson refill ink comparison.

[PBNJ]

ANDREWMIGLIORE, thanks for your post! very informative.

Can you also research on the R800 with sublimation ink?
I am paying very expensive sublimation ink cartridge for Epson 1280.
I've heard that Epson is going to launch out the A3 format of R800 which is R1800.
I am looking for some bulk inkking or refill solution for R1800

[PBNJ]

Hi, I have found a system that can get rid of the ink level problem and can avoid the
ink wasted in clean cycle.
http://www.InkRepublic.com

and it's review:
http://www.inkrepubl...estimonials.asp
http://forums.dprevi...essage=12757983
http://www.brandonst...tem-review.html

I bet your can save tons of money by using their system.

[sspl05]

There is only printers who only estimate as best they can how much ink is
left by estimating how much ink has been used since the supply was first
installed, that is inkjet printer. Because consumers use ink differently, there is naturally some variability in the
estimate of how much ink has been used.On the other way we always should be used Hp ink , it's is the one of best ink in the market and produce a picture very sharply and clearly.



dorkey

<a href="http://www.concordsupplies.com/epson-t048-ink-cartidges-6-pack/43479.html">Epson T048</a>