Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!bu.edu!snorkelwacker!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bgsuvax!denbeste
From: denbeste@bgsuvax.UUCP (William C. DenBesten)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: Refilling DeskWriter ink cartridges--a failure.
Message-ID: <6245@bgsuvax.UUCP>
Date: 12 Sep 90 21:32:57 GMT
References: <12343@arisia.Xerox.COM>
Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh.
Lines: 59

From article <12343@arisia.Xerox.COM>, by ebert@arisia.Xerox.COM (Robert Ebert):

I created a green cartridge, and have used it for about 500-1000 pages.

> The reason red was a bad choice is that the inside of the cartridges
> appears to be filled with a foam of some sort.  This is probably good in
> that it lets the ink wick into the sprayers and filters out junk, but in
> my case it was bad because it meant that there was a lot of black residue
> in the pad.  Because of this, the bright red ink came out a sort of dull
> red color.  It wasn't very pretty, but it defintely wasn't black.

When I put my green ink in, it started out black, and got lighter as
time went by.  After about 200 pages or so, it was the color of the
ink that I used.

> While I was filling it, ink was leaking out
> through the jet holes at a pretty good rate.  I was doing my work on top of
> some paper towels, which (I thought) were helping the ink wick out.

I ran into the same problem.  As soon as this started happening, I
stopped filling.  I have since discovered that you can put about 10ml
in at a time.

I suspect that the ink that HP uses is marginally thicker than Skrip
ink (which both of use used). This causes the weight of the ink in the
cartridge to force ink through the closed jets.  If we found a mildly
thicker ink, it may work better.  My solution was to only fill the
cartridge about 50% (by weight).

> I ended up with little puddles of ink at the start of each pass of the
> print head, with no actual printing.

I suspect that what happened to you was that the ink that drained out
caused damage to the jets.  Mine prints fine.  I do find that if I
don't use the cartridge for about a week, I have to 'prime' the
cartridge with a wet kleenex.

> When the next cartridge runs out, I'm definitely going to try it again,
> with a darker ink.  For the next attempt, can anyone recommend ink brands
> or improved re-fill methods?  Actually, if HP's waterproof ink is out soon,
> maybe I won't try the refill.

I use Shaffert Skrip ink, like you do.  I used green, and I am going
to try blue next.  Both appear to have the same consistency, which
appears to be about the same as water.

I found a individual that is diabetic.  I convinced her to give me a
syringe, which I intend to use to try and fill my cartridge next time,
rather than drilling a hole.  (BTW, it turns out that syringes are a
PRESCRIPTION item in the wonderful state of Ohio.  Surpised me.  No
wonder there are problems with drug users sharing needles.)

> Does anyone (even HP) make cartridges in colors other than black?

I have seen an ad in the back of {macweek,macuser,macworld} for a
place that fills carts (about $15.00 - too expensive, IMHO).  They
also fill with colors.

-- 
William C. DenBesten   is   denbeste@bgsu.edu  or   denbesten@bgsuopie.bitnet