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Refilling Ink Jet Cartridges

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oldbutdumb

Member
:| I just tried to tefill the cartridges on my Lexmark Z52 with an IMS Refill System I purchased at Costco. The black worked fine, but the colors won't even try to print after refilling. They were not completely dry when I refilled them and a pad of paper napkins sops up copious ink from the jets. I washed the outside and the connection block with distilled water but no color comes out at all. I looks like I broke the electric connection inside to the jets somehow. I'm against spending $37 for a refill when I can often find new/old stock printers for nearly that. Anyone tried this or have an idea what happened.
 
Originally posted by: bendixG15
There's one ink expert that roams around here.
Give it some time and he'll respond...
Click to expand...

Until he does, my take is that refilling carts with generic ink is a waste of time and money. With maybe one exception, the bargain basement inks that come in most kits either looks bad, screws up your printer, or both.

There *are* good 3rd party inks, but they cost as much or more than the OEM's unless your building an outboard tank system. AFAIK, nobody makes such equipment for Lexmark.
 
I don't know if I'm this "expert" they are taliking about, but here's my 2 cents... Don't buy Lexmark inkjet printers (including the Dell made by Lexmark) as their TCO is too high - no matter how low the purchase price is. Even if you refill them yourself, you will likely still have to buy a new set of OEM cartridges every 5 - 10 refills.
. I have never owned a Lexmark, but you should have no problem refilling their cartridges as long as you follow the refill kit maker's instructions exactly. Did they give specific instructions for the exact model of cartridge that you use? Does the refill kit maker offer any indemnity as part of their warranty?
. You might also want to compare your refill instructions to the ones in this manual: http://207.106.179.182/universalkits/refillinstructions.htm

Epson makes good printers, and clone ink tanks are cheap but they clog too easily, so those are out.

HP makes good printers and using the thermal nozzle system, they don't clog overmuch but you are pretty much stuck with the Lexmark ritual in order to really save on ink, as you will either have to refill them yourself or buy "remanufactured" carts (which are mainly just refilled by someone other than you. Some of the high-end HPs have separate ink tanks. And I don't care for the U-shaped paper path in the consumer-level printers - I have experienced paper jams on several HP models.

AFAIC, Canon is the way to go. Find one of last year's models (iP3000, 4000, 5000). A couple of sets of clone ink tanks down the road and it will have paid for itself. I have not experienced a paper jam on a Canon since the BJC-4000 ( when was that current - six or seven years ago?). I've located a small stash of new iP4000s. If interested, PM me.

.bh.
 
Zepper:
I don't know what PM is so I'm using this reply to enquire about the stash of Cannon P4000's you saw. Depending on price I might be interested in tossing my Lexmark.
Thanks
 
I've edited my earlier post somewhat.

PM me means send me Private Mail (click on the lock in the headline of any of my posts). I'll PM you.

..bh.
 
my take is that refilling carts with generic ink is a waste of time and money. With maybe one exception, the bargain basement inks that come in most kits either looks bad, screws up your printer, or both.
Click to expand...
This is my experience too... I've gone "cheap" and bought generic ink tanks in the past trying to save a buck, and only ended up having to buy a new printer shortly after my "money saving" generic ink tanks dorked-up my printer.

AFAIC, Canon is the way to go. Find one of last year's models (iP3000, 4000, 5000).
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more... Canon ink tanks in general are far cheaper then HP or Lexmark ink tanks, and the Canons have excellent output as well. You may get the occasional "blank page" once a blue moon, but nothing a good "head cleaning" doesn't fix. You save a ton of money on ink if you go Canon. Probably why it's so hard to find Canon printers sold anywhere since the money-making gimmick of selling overpriced ink tanks isn't as profitable at Wal*Mart as it is selling those ridiculously priced HP and LexMark tanks.

I own a Canon IP4000 printer. Fantastic printer and a great savings on ink.
 
Toss the Lexmark and buy last years Canon. ip3000, ip4000, ip5000....

Then get carts here

http://www.alotofthings.com arrowjet is good.

------------

As far as refilling...I've refilled hurdreds of BCI-3 and BCI-6 carts. Use Scencient ink (formulabs)
 
I'd say lexmark = crap and don't buy it.

Also, refilling is not a good idea unless you are sure you are getting good quality ink. Most of the refils have sub-par ink. I recommend new cartridges every time.
 
I tried the refill thing with my Canon, and maybe did about 5 refills before I became frustrated and decided I would never bother to refill again. Its easiest just to get a generic replacement ink carts.

Here is a place that has very good quality carts: www.swiftink.com

This place has good prices for Canon carts and they have worked well. The Lexmark carts are pretty expensive, though.
 
Wow! Looking up Lexmark carts, it appears the only cheap way is to refill, which is a bummer. I'm glad I ended up buying a Canon, with $3.50 replacement carts.
 
I've refilled the same bci-3 cart over 100 times and it still works....on the other have...easier to put in a good generic. Like you said.

Thing about refills is you get to pick good ink. As for generics you have to know what ink they are using and they do switch from time to time.
 
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