Hey everyone,
A few months ago Martin recommended that I get an hp Officejet Pro K8600 and I did. Really nice wide format printer with crisp readable text. I purchased some ink from MIS and refilled the black last night after it letting it get low enough for the low ink light to come on.

The chip on the cartridge didn't reset, ie. the ink level still shows it to be low when its full. How do I get it to reset? I'm guessing that a new cartridge or auto reset chip is needed. Any recommendations?

Thanks - JackRazz

JackRazz wrote:

Hey everyone,
A few months ago Martin recommended that I get an hp Officejet Pro K8600 and I did. Really nice wide format printer with crisp readable text. I purchased some ink from MIS and refilled the black last night after it letting it get low enough for the low ink light to come on.

Nice to know they're a good purchase as I've finally got two on order for myself and a school

Quote:

The chip on the cartridge didn't reset, ie. the ink level still shows it to be low when its full. How do I get it to reset? I'm guessing that a new cartridge or auto reset chip is needed. Any recommendations?

Right now you may be having problems because the K8600 is so new and the autoreset chip manufacturers are generally playing catchup. One in particular that I've been communicating with haven't had a K8600 for testing yet and I'm pretty sure they supply a lot of the chips you get in HP CIS kits.. And yes, I'm pretty dismayed they haven't bothered yet too.

Anyway... you may not be completely without hope... In my experiments with four different chip sets I've found that the reset routine is not always as simple as suggested and frankly some of the suppliers haven't a clue when it comes to specific models.

The data I have so far on the L7680 (I'm still working on the K5400) is that the chips will not reset when "ink low" is shown.. Instead you have to wait until the printer recognises the cartridge is empty, should be empty or has some kind of error. When you reach that point I've found that you have to open the cartridge door, pull the "empty" cartridge so the chip is no longer connected to the printer, wait 10 seconds or so and then plug the cartridge back in. This resets the chip and it starts working again.

I have heard of other users who have found chip sets that declare the cartriges non-HP, disable ink monitoring and keep printing although the status printout will show the printheads and/or printer as having "refilled ink" detected which obviously affects your warranty (or could).

Hope that helps...


_________________
Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

Quote:

Nice to know they're a good purchase as I've finally got two on order for myself and a school Smile

I'm impressed with the overall quality of the software and hardware. With that wide format that can do Super B (330 x 483 mm; 13 x 19 inches) straight thru sheets, the possibilities are endless. Duplexer works fine too. I think I'm going to really happy with this printer.

Quote:

Anyway... you may not be completely without hope... In my experiments with four different (autoreset) chip sets I've found that the reset routine is not always as simple as suggested and frankly some of the suppliers haven't a clue when it comes to specific models.

I'm a bit new to this. Assuming that I don't have autoreset chips, does this mean that when the monitor level shows it to be dry, it will quit printing. Anotherwords, do I have to have autoreset chips very soon?

Quote:

The data I have so far on the L7680 (I'm still working on the K5400) is that the chips will not reset when "ink low" is shown.. Instead you have to wait until the printer recognises the cartridge is empty, should be empty or has some kind of error. When you reach that point I've found that you have to open the cartridge door, pull the "empty" cartridge so the chip is no longer connected to the printer, wait 10 seconds or so and then plug the cartridge back in. This resets the chip and it starts working again.

I think I know the answer to this based on your reply, but will this work without the auto-reset chips? Another words, will I be able to continue printing and reset as you describe above. Or should I start looking for a autoreset chip now????? Also if I had refilled it before it indicated low ink, would it have made any difference.

As an temporary solution, could I simply purchase some refilled XL cartridges and then use my two sets of cartridges and switch between them thus getting my ink levels and working cartridges each time I refill?

Also, do you know if those HP 88 cartridges have a filter in the cartridge between the internal ink bag and the inlet chamber to the pump or somewhere in the catridge? I'm worried about dust contamination during refills. Should I be?

If it does have a filter, I would feel more comfortable DIYing a CIS based on your experiences. I could
1) Use the cartridge with the bag in place
2) Drill a hole in the end facing the front of the printer and run the tubing from that point to my external mariotte tanks.

There would be no internal fluid resistance and the pump would still be in place. The biggest hurdle is contamination when drilling the hole (plastic inside that won't wash out), and air coming in my external tanks with dust, thus requiring reasonably priced air filters for the tank.

Thanks for the reply. The ink situation is my last hurdle.

JackRazz

Hey Jack,

Quote:

Quote:

Anyway... you may not be completely without hope... In my experiments with four different (autoreset) chip sets I've found that the reset routine is not always as simple as suggested and frankly some of the suppliers haven't a clue when it comes to specific models.

I'm a bit new to this. Assuming that I don't have autoreset chips, does this mean that when the monitor level shows it to be dry, it will quit printing. Anotherwords, do I have to have autoreset chips very soon?

Ok... I assumed that you were using a CIS from MIS which in turn mean't I assumed you had autoreset chips (ARC's).. Apparently you don't. Now in this situation it seems you're using a kit to refill your existing cartridges and you have no other chips so really you have a couple of options.

1. To buy or build a CIS kit and ensure you have the relevant autoreset chips.
2. To find a chip resetter that's compatible with the HP88 chips and can reset them.

Quote:

I think I know the answer to this based on your reply, but will this work without the auto-reset chips?

One other user has suggested you may be able to continue using the cartridges without resetting the chips or ARC's but my ink supplier indicated that it's unlikely. You're going to find out I guess.

Quote:

will I be able to continue printing and reset as you describe above. Or should I start looking for a autoreset chip now????? Also if I had refilled it before it indicated low ink, would it have made any difference.

You could start looking for autoreset chips now but I can probably save you the job as I'm already looking for them myself. I have two sets that I'm going to be testing when the printers finally arrive so I should be able to tell you if there's problems then or not.

Quote:

As an temporary solution, could I simply purchase some refilled XL cartridges and then use my two sets of cartridges and switch between them thus getting my ink levels and working cartridges each time I refill?

Given the time they XL carts will probably last you should be ok with that until I can give you a bit more info'.

Quote:

Also, do you know if those HP 88 cartridges have a filter in the cartridge between the internal ink bag and the inlet chamber to the pump or somewhere in the catridge? I'm worried about dust contamination during refills. Should I be?

There's no filter in the cartridges but in truth I don't worry about dust myself as there's very little opportunity for dust to enter the cartridge unless you're trying to refill in a workworking shop or a student house

Quote:

If it does have a filter, I would feel more comfortable DIYing a CIS based on your experiences. I could
1) Use the cartridge with the bag in place
2) Drill a hole in the end facing the front of the printer and run the tubing from that point to my external mariotte tanks.

It's pretty simple to build a DIY system but right now, as I said, the big question is that of the chips..

Quote:

There would be no internal fluid resistance and the pump would still be in place. The biggest hurdle is contamination when drilling the hole (plastic inside that won't wash out), and air coming in my external tanks with dust, thus requiring reasonably priced air filters for the tank.

Dust contamination, in my experience is rarely an issue.. I don't use balanced pressure reservoirs because they are so small in terms of capacity. Instead I use standard bottles which are kept above the height of the cartridges, the caps are drilled with a small .5mm hole for venting so dust has to be pretty darned lucky to get in and add to that the bottles are held in a box container anyway so it's doubly secure in that sense.

Quote:

Thanks for the reply. The ink situation is my last hurdle.

Ink is easy... Just look around for the relevant resellers for good quality inks and you're away... MIS resell Image Specialists ink so if you're not based in the USA there are other options.


As I said the big question right now is the ARC's... Once that's resolved the K8600 will be a known entity and with luck that should be about 2 - 3 weeks from now, assuming all goes well

Cheers


_________________
Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

Quote:

Now in this situation it seems you're using a kit to refill your existing cartridges and you have no other chips.

Yes this correct. I purchased a pint of each color from them. I have two years to use it up before it goes bad.

Quote:

You could start looking for autoreset chips now but I can probably save you the job as I'm already looking for them myself. I have two sets that I'm going to be testing when the printers finally arrive so I should be able to tell you if there's problems then or not.

That would be great if you find good autoreset chips. I was going to try refilling to see if it went well and then progress toward a tank. I guess it didn't go so well after all (full cartridge with only 200 pages left). I'll check back with you in 3 weeks or so and see how your chips worked out.

Quote:

There's no filter in the cartridges but in truth I don't worry about dust myself

My concern was derived from seeing that all the CIS systems I seen on the internet using an air filter. I could just see that particle of dust floating into my print heads and wrecking all kind of havoc. I know, vivid imagination! Anyhow thanks for the dust info.

Quote:

MIS resell Image Specialists ink so if you're not based in the USA there are other options.

I live in the USA. I had read from http://www.ripitgolf.com/ink_comparison.htm that MIS sold Image Specialist. Besides, I didn't find any source for Lyson ink, but I didn't look real hard.

Quote:

As I said the big question right now is the ARC's... Once that's resolved the K8600 will be a known entity and with luck that should be about 2 - 3 weeks from now, assuming all goes well.

I look forward to hearing your results. Hopefully your supplier can handle customers in the USA.

Thanks for your help - Jack

JackRazz wrote:

Quote:

You could start looking for autoreset chips now but I can probably save you the job as I'm already looking for them myself. I have two sets that I'm going to be testing when the printers finally arrive so I should be able to tell you if there's problems then or not.

That would be great if you find good autoreset chips. I was going to try refilling to see if it went well and then progress toward a tank. I guess it didn't go so well after all (full cartridge with only 200 pages left). I'll check back with you in 3 weeks or so and see how your chips worked out.

Well my printers are apparently on route today so I may be getting them sooner than expected, which is nice

Quote:

Quote:

There's no filter in the cartridges but in truth I don't worry about dust myself

My concern was derived from seeing that all the CIS systems I seen on the internet using an air filter. I could just see that particle of dust floating into my print heads and wrecking all kind of havoc. I know, vivid imagination! Anyhow thanks for the dust info.

Those air-filters often seem to be non-return valves that let air in but not back out again. I could be wrong but they aren't essential unless of course you have a massive hole in the top of the reservoir and then frankly I'd be more worried about someone redecorating when they knocked it all flying . As I said I have a container with a lid to protect my bottles so you could easily do the same.

Quote:

Quote:

MIS resell Image Specialists ink so if you're not based in the USA there are other options.

I live in the USA. I had read from http://www.ripitgolf.com/ink_comparison.htm that MIS sold Image Specialist. Besides, I didn't find any source for Lyson ink, but I didn't look real hard.

MIS are fine and yes they do resell Image Specialists ink... The more you buy the cheaper it gets... it's definitely good quality ink though.

Quote:

Quote:

As I said the big question right now is the ARC's... Once that's resolved the K8600 will be a known entity and with luck that should be about 2 - 3 weeks from now, assuming all goes well.

I look forward to hearing your results. Hopefully your supplier can handle customers in the USA.

Me too... The printers get here today or tomorrow so I'll start testing immediately. Got the K5400 to do as well... Oooh fun!

In terms of the supplier they sell in bulk from China but I've decided to resell spare chips along with the other bits and bobs I've accumulated for refilling, CIS building, etc... on http://www.octoink.co.uk/. Postage will hardly kill anyone as the chips are rather light But first we have to test them for compatibility... Walk before running?.. Yes mother I did listen


_________________
Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

Ok... good news.. I've been able to play with my new K8600 and test one of the chip sets I've had in for the K5400 and L7000 series printers.

It worked.. I had to play about a bit to get it to accept the chips and reset properly (talk about wild assed guessing) but I have the formula. My order is now in with the suppliers and I'm waiting on a pro-forma so I can get that paid off and wait for them to arrive.

A word of warning though, I have a UK printer and I've learned the hard way that printers in different countries can function differently so don't count your chickens just yet.


_________________
Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

So, the old ARC chips that you already have work. Great news! I gather it didn't quite work the same as the K5400. Hopefully it won't take too long to get them from Taiwan, China or wherever they are coming from. Hopefully the reset procedure isn't as crazy as the guessing process you went through.

I looked at your octoink site. And I thought I had purchased a lot of ink! Thats a legitimate short run digital book production system. When I think about it, schools would need a lot of pages.

I see you used the original HP cartridges for your CIS. The reason I decided to do my own is the missing cartridge pumps on all the others. Even the refillable cartridges don't have them.

Where are you feeding the tube into the cartridge? Did you have to wash out the cartridge after to remove any loose bits of plastic?

I see you elevated the CIS a little higher than the cartridges just like you mentioned earlier. That's the advantage of that pump on the cartridge. I was thinking that could be a problem when the printer is off and the one-way valve in the pump is relaxed. Good to know its not. Your not using a constant pressure, so the positive pressure is even higher and its still good.

This printer is made for a CIS like no other printer. Doesn't get any better. Look forward to your final results and the details on how well they work.

[Edit: I started looking your site and now see that you use tube clips to prevent the positive pressure I mentioned before. I have some reading to do(:]

Jack

JackRazz wrote:

So, the old ARC chips that you already have work. Great news! I gather it didn't quite work the same as the K5400. Hopefully it won't take too long to get them from Taiwan, China or wherever they are coming from. Hopefully the reset procedure isn't as crazy as the guessing process you went through.

Heh... OK, yes, that's the good news, yes there is a way to reset them. The bad news is that the sales team are on holiday till next week and then I have to pay the pro-forma before the order gets shipped. We could be looking at about 2 to 3 weeks here.

Quote:

I looked at your octoink site. And I thought I had purchased a lot of ink! Thats a legitimate short run digital book production system. When I think about it, schools would need a lot of pages.

You have no idea... Most of my schools get through about 2 litres of black and about 3 litres of all the colours combined. Quite a saving though

Quote:

I see you used the original HP cartridges for your CIS. The reason I decided to do my own is the missing cartridge pumps on all the others. Even the refillable cartridges don't have them.

Where are you feeding the tube into the cartridge? Did you have to wash out the cartridge after to remove any loose bits of plastic?

Tsk... I could end up giving away trade secrets here

Ok, ok... basically I found a tube fitting that was low profile enough for me to glue it on and provide a tight seal to the cartridge port. I didn't wash them out so much as just use a Q-tip/cotton-bud to clean out any ink.. as I was careful not to push plastic or the plastic ball material in.

I may opt to provide a "DIY" kit as a separate package but I've got to be careful not to give away the farm if you know what I mean.

Quote:

I see you elevated the CIS a little higher than the cartridges just like you mentioned earlier. That's the advantage of that pump on the cartridge. I was thinking that could be a problem when the printer is off and the one-way valve in the pump is relaxed. Good to know its not. Your not using a constant pressure, so the positive pressure is even higher and its still good.

Yeah... that pressure is all important... I'm looking at what happens when I go up to about 10cm higher with the black ink as it has repercussions for capacity. Too much positive pressure will have consequences but it's knowing where that is and what the symptoms will be... At the moment it's anyones guess.

Quote:

This printer is made for a CIS like no other printer. Doesn't get any better. Look forward to your final results and the details on how well they work.

Aye... Well my CIS are now working perfectly in all but one particular printer model and that seems to have been a printhead failure more than anything. Still tracking it at the moment.

Quote:

[Edit: I started looking your site and now see that you use tube clips to prevent the positive pressure I mentioned before. I have some reading to do(:]

As to the tube clips/clamps... Those are actually open so they aren't controlling pressure at all. I only use them to ensure the ink doesn't swill around during disassembly or when moved around. The main reason I put them on is to ensure the cartridges don't drain back into the bottles and thus leave air bubbles over the intake valve in the cartridge.

I haven't looked into using anything like a non-return valve on the tubing to the cartridges, mainly because you could create an overpressure situation if they filled when cold and then the temperature spiked when full of ink!... Can you say "messy"?





Anyways, as to the K8600... I have to say I'm impressed... I'll be writing a review when I've had a chance to do more work and testing with them but overall. I have to say "I like!"


_________________
Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

Hey Martin,
Thanks for the info. I guess I misunderstood the purpose of those clamps. I thought you were filling the cartridges, re-clamping the feed lines and isolating the cartridges, resetting the chips. Then they should behave as normal cartridge. That would work unless I'm not understanding the process clearly.

Anyhow, looking forward to your final results - Jack