UNIVERSAL
CARTRIDGES - Tips and tricks
Applicable to the 3000, 7000, 7500, 9000, 9500 Epson printers
110ml
CARTRIDGES
Normally
Epson Cartridges are manufactured with plastic key tabs on the
bottom and top of the cartridge to prevent the user from inserting
the cartridges from one printer model into other printer models.
We have removed all but the top tab that is necessary to open
the inner door when inserting the cartridge so that the cartridges
may be used interchangably in the 3000, 7000, 7500 printer families.
220ml
CARTRIDGES
For
better economy and for longer printing runs between cartridge
changes, the Epson Stylus Color 3000 and the Epson Stylus Pro
7000 and 7500 printers can use the larger 220ml cartridges of
the 9000 / 9500 family. We have designed the "Universal
Cartridges" to fit in all the above printer models by
removing the key tabs on the bottom and top of the cartridge that
prevented the user from inserting the larger cartridges into the
other printer models. We have removed all but the top tab that
is necessary to open the inner door when inserting the cartridge.
CAUTION!
It is VERY IMPORTANT with the UNIVERSAL cartridges that you make
sure to insert the cartridge into the correct position in the
printer. The cartridges have a "COLOR" printed on the
label that matches the COLOR DECAL on the printer.
Example: The lightest grey ink has the word "YELLOW"
printed on the cartridge label. This must be installed in the
slot with the "YELLOW" decal on the printer.
It is easy - just double check as you insert the cartridges.
EPSON
Printers - Instructions per Printer
Model / Type
1 - Epson Stylus
Color 3000
2 - Epson Stylus Pro 7000 / 7500
3
- Epson Stylus Pro 9000 / 9500
EPSON
STYLUS COLOR 3000 - INSTRUCTIONS
EPSON STYLUS COLOR 3000 - using the standard 110 ml
cartridges.
Insert the cartridge and use as a normal Epson Cartridge. Make
sure that the cartridge is in the correct color position as shown
on the printer decal and the cartridge label.
EPSON
STYLUS COLOR 3000 - using the larger 220 ml cartridges.
The
Epson 3000 is not as sophisticated as the later model printers.
It assumes that you are using the standard 110 ml size cartridges.
1 - When the
cartridge is approximately half empty, the red "ink out"
lights will indicate that the cartridge is empty.
2 -
Simply pull out the cartridge and then reinsert it as if it is
a new cartridge. The printer will assume this is a new cartridge
and the Ink level will be reset to FULL.
3 - After the cartridge is used twice in this manner, it should
be discarded as normal.
EPSON
STYLUS PRO 7000, 7500 - INSTRUCTIONS
EPSON STYLUS PRO 7000 and 7500 - using the normal 110
ml cartridges.
Insert the cartridge and use as a normal Epson Cartridge. Make
sure that the cartridge is in the correct color position as shown
on the printer decal and the cartridge label.
EPSON
STYLUS PRO 7000 and 7500 - using the larger 220 ml
cartridges.
These
printers have a secret hidden menu that will switch the printers
settings, so the ink quantity system knows it is using the larger
size cartridge. The printer will change its internal settings
that it uses to estimate when a cartridge is empty.
Note:
If you are using a mix of larger and smaller cartridge sizes,
it is probably best to leave the printer set to the 110ml size
cartridge.
PROCEDURE
1
- Ensure that the printer is off.
2 - At the control panel, press and hold the "SelecType"
button, and turn ON the printer.
3 - Release the button, the LCD panel displays "CARTRIDGE
SIZ=100ML*"
4 - Toggle through the two choices by hitting the "Paper
feed +" ( Paper feed plus)"
or "Paper feed -" ( Paper feed minus) buttons.
The two choices are:
a) LCD panel displays "CARTRIDGE SIZ=100ML*"
b) LCD panel displays "CARTRIDGE SIZ=200ML"
In the above example, the 7000 / 7500 cartridge is the current
selected size because it has the "*" (asterisk)
as the last character. To switch the 7000 / 7500 printer to use
the larger 9000 cartridges, press the "+" or "-"
button as above until the LCD panel displays "CARTRIDGE
SIZ=200ML"
5 - Press "Enter" to register your selection.
6 - The printer will display "WAIT" on the LCD
Panel Display for about 30 seconds, and then the "Paper
Out" message if you do not have paper loaded, or "Ready"
if paper was previously loaded.
EPSON
STYLUS PRO 9000, 9500 - INSTRUCTIONS
EPSON STYLUS PRO 9000 and 9500 - using the
wrong 110 ml cartridges.
Absolutely NEVER use the shorter
incorrect 110 ml cartridges in the larger printers. The cartridges
fall down inside and in our attempt to pull them out, a small
part fell loose. We had to call Epson repair. Embarrassing but
true.
EPSON STYLUS
COLOR 9000 / 9500 - using the standard 220 ml cartridges.
Make
sure that the cartridge is in the correct color position as shown
on the printer decal and the cartridge label.
EPSON
9000 - Universal cartridge without all the tabs
We
have removed the plastic tabs on the carts so they can be used
in smaller printers, leaving only has the top plastic tab on the
cartridge required for opening the internal door in the printer's
ink bay. When we first inserted the cartridges in the 9000, the
LCD control panel promptly alerted us that we had the wrong cartridge
installed and refused to let us continue. After some experimenting
- it appears that the 9000 knows if the second tab on the top
of the cartridge is missing and then promptly displays this message.
Fortunately the same trick that we used to disable the patch reader
on the 9500, works to disable this warning on the 9000. See Procedure
below.
EPSON
9500 - Universal Cartridge without the label patch
The Epson 9500
printer is equipped with a sensor for each cartridge that detects
a black square on the label. This feature was intended for future
use and currently does nothing useful. Eventually on future
printers, the printer will know if the inkset is pigment or dye
etc. based on the position of the black square patch on the cartridge.
Fortunately Epson equipped the printer with a secret menu that
allows us to turn off the cartridge patch reader. Then, normal
9000 cartridges may be used in the printer.
PROCEDURE to disable the detectors - 9000 / 9500 PRINTERS
1 - Ensure that the printer is OFF.
2 -
At the control panel, hold 3 buttons down and turn ON
machine.
The three (3) buttons =
a) "Paper source"
b) "Paper feed -" ( Paper feed minus)
c) "Cut/Eject"
3 -
Release the three buttons when the LCD panel displays "Init
All = EXEC."
NOTE - DO NOT HIT THE ENTER BUTTON!!
That would reset everything and you do not want to reset parameters
relating to the head life etc.
4 -
Toggle through the "Init" menu by pressing the
"Paper Source" button until you see "DETECT
INK LABEL = ON" displayed
on the LCD panel of the printer..
5 -
Toggle through the two choices by hitting the "Paper feed
+" ( Paper feed plus)"
or "Paper feed -" ( Paper feed minus) buttons.
The LCD should show "DETECT INK LABEL = OFF"
6 -
Press "Enter" to confirm this change.
7 -
Exit the "Init" menu by turning the printer OFF.
You're visitor #