How to put a printer on vacation?

[Smokin Joe]

I have a Canon S520 that works like a champ. I plan to retire it for use later, if needed. What do you guys recommend? Thinking, do a good head cleaning 2/3 times with the Canon program, remove ink cartridges and store in attic (is hot but power ventilated). All suggestions are welcome. I do want it to work if needed.

Smoke

 

[xXgambitXx]

I get the feeling that unless the carts are vacuum sealed taht they're eventually going to dry up

 

[Mesix]

Drop it off in Rio

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Definately remove the cartridges. Do a good cleaning first to clean the jets.

If it's going to sit more than a few months throw the carts away. NEVER stockpile carts - even new ones. They have a limited shelf life, and you never know how long they've been sitting in a warehouse or store shelf.

The ink deteriorates over time and clots. It'll clog your jets. Since Canon printers do not use disposable jets that would be bad. (HPs do which is why I recommend HP Inkjet printers to my clients. Clog a jet? Throw away the cartrige and you're good to go on an HP. Clog a jet on a Canon and you're screwed).

 

[Zepper]

On recent Canons, the print head is removable - looks like the one on the S520 is as well (it's the tub that the ink tanks set in - the big lever on the right of the head carriage releases it). So take the carts out and clean around the outside of their ink ports with rubbing alcohol and dry. If you can't find a way to seal the ink ports air-tight, throw them away - I have some film that's used to put over your windows in the winter (basically a heavy grade of shrink-wrap) that I use to seal mine for storage when I have to. Remove the print head and run rubbing alcohol thru it manually until no more color comes out. Touch the face of the head (where the nozzles are) to a piece of coffee filter (lint-free) to get the last bit of fluid out of the nozzles. Let it dry thoroughly, and then wrap tightly in plastic wrap - it's now ready for storage. IOW, you don't want to leave ANY ink or fluid in the nozzles for long-term storage.
. I would consider just leaving them together and just do a couple of passes of the self-test once a week or so - don't need to have it hooked to the computer for this. Anything to keep the ink flowing thru. Unless you plan for really long storage...
. One of those vacuum sealed storage bags (you know, the ones "Seen on TV" - Space Bags is one brand name) would be ideal to store the whole printer in - with just a light vacuum to keep the humidity out. But any heavy plastic bag would probably do - just press as much air out as possible and seal tightly.

.bh.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Thank you Zepper. That sounds like a good plan to me. Sure is nice to come here and get good directions when you have "brain fade" like I had. Guess I was too busy, getting my new ip4000 set up and working just right, to even think about what I should do with the 520.

Smoke

 

[Lemon law]

There is a thread on Canon printhead storage similar to this on the nifty stuff forums but as I recall, its pretty similar to what zepper detailed. Very recommended for any Canon user who is unlikely to be using their printer for many many months.

But that is one area where lasers are better than inkjets. Any inkjet printhead will clog after five months or more of disuse. With the printhead on the cartridge types, its fine to say replace the cartridges and you are good to go---except that can often cost $50-70 ish. And for that you could
buy a new Canon printhead at about $70.

But better yet, clean and store the Canon printhead correctly, and you are good to go for zero bucks.------well maybe not zero bucks--you have to use a little windex and a plastic bag.