Cleaning Epson r2400 after long storage?

[sam_m]

Hoping for some advice. My Epson r2400 has been sitting unused for at least 18 months. I haven't fired it up yet but I am assuming the ink cartridges in it have dried up, can I just put in a new set of cartridges and run a cleaning cycle? Is there something I can do before starting it up, like cleaning the nozzles/heads (is that what they're called? I really have no idea)? I don't know how but I guess I could just take out the old ink cartridges and use a syringe with isopropyl alcohol in it o flush them clean? Does anyone have any experience?

Thanks!

 

[sam_m]

no one...?

 

[Lou Iaquinto]

Hi Sam,

My R2400 is about 5 to 6 years old and tends to sit for long periods as well. I just run a cleaning cycle and do a couple of prints and it comes good everytime. My ink cartridges are usally way out of date as well.

Good luck with it,

Lou

 

[Godfrey]

Hoping for some advice. My Epson r2400 has been sitting unused for at least 18 months. I haven't fired it up yet but I am assuming the ink cartridges in it have dried up, can I just put in a new set of cartridges and run a cleaning cycle? Is there something I can do before starting it up, like cleaning the nozzles/heads (is that what they're called? I really have no idea)? I don't know how but I guess I could just take out the old ink cartridges and use a syringe with isopropyl alcohol in it o flush them clean? Does anyone have any experience?

My R2400 sat for about a half year and then i had a run of prints to make for an event. First test showed a couple of clogs. I replaced three ink carts that were too low to support cleaning, then ran several cleaning cycles. Cleared right up and now prints perfectly.

It's so old that if it had died I wouldn't have been too upset. I've had it since 2005 and it's made well over 6000 prints ... ! I'd almost rather it died to excuse my replacing it with an R3880.

 

[kuzano]

My R2200 has gone through this....numerous time

My R2200 has gone through this....numerous time

My R2400 sat for about a half year and then i had a run of prints to make for an event. First test showed a couple of clogs. I replaced three ink carts that were too low to support cleaning, then ran several cleaning cycles. Cleared right up and now prints perfectly.

It's so old that if it had died I wouldn't have been too upset. I've had it since 2005 and it's made well over 6000 prints ... ! I'd almost rather it died to excuse my replacing it with an R3880.

I'd say my R2200 has been through periods this long a number of times. Fire it up, run 2 or 3 clean cycle, print a couple of prints... sort of magical. Always works. However, the R2200 is pigment ink cartridges...... and I think the R2400 is as well????

Most of the times I have done this, new cartridges have not been necessary. One or two low ones perhaps

Lars

 

[I.G.I.]

I had mine in storage for over two and half years. I ought to add that the air in the storage was relatively humid with more or less constant moderate to low temperature; in addition, knowing I am storing the printer for long I sealed it in a plastic bag to minimise the inks' evaporation.

Well, after unpacking it had some clogs, but the important thing was it worked with the expired cartridges (some the higher tech printers may refuse in such a situation), and I used this expired ink for continuous printing and two cleaning cycles. After that it worked flawlessly.

 

[Calzone]

Piezography makes some cleaning/storage fluid. I have not used this product, but some of the reviews suggest that it revived dead printers. Not inexpensive.

Save some old carts.

Cal

 

[Piezography Goddess]

Regular use and proper maintenance will help you get many years of beautiful prints from your Epson printer. I still have an old R2400 that has printed countless images, and is still working very well due to being taken care of. Letting a printer sit for several months or longer with ink installed can cause ink to dry and clog in the print head micro channels, as well as in the cartridges and on the capping station.

I recommend familiarizing yourself with proper maintenance and use techniques, and safely store your printer by flushing ink and installing a flush/storage fluid such as PiezoFlush to prevent drying/clogging and other problems that can occur from lack of use. You can check out this link for detailed information on how to maintain your printer, including helpful cleaning instructions and a video demonstrating various cleaning procedures: http://www.inkjetmall.com/tech/content.php?133-Printer-Cleaning-and-Preventative-Maintenance

I hope this helps!

 

[mdarnton]

I don't know if the mechanics have changed, but when I had Epsons a child's ear syringe would fit perfectly over the nipple that fit into the bottom of the cartridge. Fill the syringe with windex, and squirt it through the jets, leaving the syringe in place over night for really tough clogs. That would blow out just about anything, if you were willing to wait for it to soak.

 

[Piezography Goddess]

Windex and other ammonia cleaners are great at breaking up and cleaning dried ink, but are not good for the print head and can actually cause problems by "quick drying" the print head. Warm distilled water is better to use on your print head than ammonia cleaners, and PiezoFlush is excellent because it's carefully formulated to be tough on clearing stubborn clogs, but also safe to use as long term storage fluid, and does not dry out, which is the main reason for clogging and print head problems.