Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!SFAUSTIN.BITNET!Z4648252
From: Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET (Z4648252)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: DESKJET INK CARTRIDGES
Message-ID: <890401.11080568.033065@SFA.CP6>
Date: 1 Apr 89 17:08:06 GMT
References: <Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET>
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    Bounced mail returning from the REPLY TO area causes me to write
a public reply to Ray:

Ray writes:

"In your comments on the Deskjet you mentioned a technique to recharge
the Deskjet cartridges.  Could you please elaborate on the details for
those of us who haven't yet figured out the details?  This sounds like
a great solution to the water soluble ink problem (and the lack of
different ink colors for that matter) in addition to the cost savings!

Thanks,
                   Ray"

     'Recharging' the DeskJet cartridges is a simple matter.  Merely
ream out the airhole at the top to just enough size to allow penetration
with a machinest's hypodermic syringe (typically used for oiling).
     When the cartridge feels 'light' in weight (less than 1.5 oz), it
is a candidate for refilling.  If it is totally dry, it seems to have
some problem on clearing the nozzles or something--poor candidate.
     Currently, I've only been successful using Sheaffer's Skrip jet
black ink.  The bottle is really $$$$$.  About $1.50 local U.S.  GRIN.
You can typically recharge the cartridge five times with one bottle.
     Inject no more than two CC's into the cartridge.  More than two
CC's will cause gravity to induce a siphone effect and you will lose
all your ink overnight.  Inside the cartridge, you'll notice a sponge.
It prevents the siphon.  As long as there is no ink pooling on top of
the sponge, you are in good shape.  Actually, I inject no more than one
CC.  This one cartridge is several months and several reams of paper
old--it has probably gone through 1500 sheets of heavy printing (dark
pages, DTP work) and is still printing with no fuzzies.
     Ok, the obvious question:  can we get rid of water soluable ink and
use different colors?
     I've had some success on Sheaffer's red ink but it is just not
correct.  You get streaks.  Apparently, the balance of ink concentrate
is not as 'correct' for the cartridge as the jet black is.  I haven't
had the ability yet to find permanent ink for testing.  The problem
comes from not having any spent cartridges to play with!!!!
     India ink will not work.  That is an ink which uses suspended
solid particles.  No go...
     There you have it.  Experiment, save bucks, and ENJOY!  Oh, by the
way, make sure the air hole is much larger than the needle or injector.
You do not want pressurization to occur.  The nozzle area is very fragile
and pressure will destroy the integrity.


Larry Rymal <Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET>