3800 Advice

[na goodman]

So, after 5 years of printing flawlessly my 3800 has gone from printing to nothing. Since it is all channels - I'm thinking it is a sensor on the print head. Does anyone know can just the sensor be
replaced or would it be a head replacement. Has anyone had one repaired that was not printing at all or is it time to look at a 3880 replacement.

[grepmat]

I don't have an answer to your specific question, except to suggest that it could be almost anything really. Regardless, as you are likely thinking, this sounds like it may well be an inconvenient and/or costly repair.

Five years into its life, my 3800 developed an extremely recalcitrant clog that blew through $100 in wasted ink, and ultimately caused me to buy a 3880. With a rebate and a full supply of fresh ink, the pain wasn't too bad. The results are essentially the same, by the way, but that's fine by me since it's a great printer.

The anecdotal life-span of these printers seems to be about 5 years of typical use, so a replacement may indeed be a good idea. If you do replace it, remember that you can transfer over any unused ink except for vivid magenta, plus the dump tank.

Good luck.

[dgberg]

My 3800 started having issues at 5 years almost to the day.
My inks were all over 50% full  so I ordered in the 3880. I believe all but 2 of the inks can be used in the 3880.
The new 3880 had an issue so they sent me another and I got to keep the ink from the one I sent back.
Sitting here with almost 2 full sets of ink plus what is in the printer. For the $850  or whatever i spent I have more then that in ink,what a deal. My problem will be using that ink up as all I print with it is proofs. Couple of prints a week.
Do not have any help for your printer issue but agree it sounds like a good time for you to order a new one.

[na goodman]

Thanks. I have an extra maintenance tank, do you know if those are interchangeable between the 3800
and the 3880. I know all the inks are except for the 2 magenta's. I really wish I could just get it fixed,
it's been a great machine but in the long run I don't think it will be worth it. Dan, I can always help you out
in using up that ink.

[martin archer-shee]

Correct me if I amwrong. I believe you can use  the 3800 inks onthe 3880 but just don't,then get the benefit of the new range in the newer inks. I have been using the older set of magenta I my 2880 with no problems. True , I have been using Lyson pigment inks but same thing. Worth
double checking before throwing out the old magenta.

[na goodman]

I think the vivid magenta and light vivid magenta are chipped differently to work only in the 3880 so I don't think the 3800's magenta's would work.
Besides I would have to make new profiles for all my papers and it would best to do it with the newer magenta's.

[martin archer-shee]

Again I can not say for sure, but...
It is quite possible and likely that there is a one way street with the vivid magentas. The chip on the 3800 might work on the 3880 but not the reverse. As for the profiles it would be a cheap test to put the 3800 carts in the 3880 and if it took a bit of adjustment you would save a bunch of ink. if it was no good you just replace the carts and run through the ink in the lines.

Worth a shot??

[Oldfox]

My 3800 started having issues at 5 years almost to the day.

So, after 5 years of printing flawlessly my 3800 has gone from printing to nothing

Five years into its life, my 3800 developed an extremely recalcitrant clog

My 3800 died last year (bought it 2007). The black channel (photo/matte) did not print anything. After several head cleanings and power cleanings I finally gave up. I also tried "Windex" tricks, no luck.

Five years? Maybe I should find my tin foil hat...

[Sal Baker]

From the Epson UK website...

"You can use the same cartridges of Stylus Pro 3800 in the Stylus Pro 3880 with the exception of the Magenta and Light Magenta cartridges, as these are only suitable for the Pro 3800. For the Stylus Pro 3880, these have been replaced by Vivid Magenta and Vivid Light Magenta.

You cannot physically insert the wrong type of magenta ink cartridge into the printer as it will not fit. This is to prevent the use of the wrong magenta ink type which could damage the printer due to the ink specification change."

Sal

[Wayne Fox]

Since it comes with a full set of inks worth about $400 and you can use your current 3800 inks (other than the magentas) so you won't waste them, a new 3880's net price is about $600.

[na goodman]

Since it comes with a full set of inks worth about $400 and you can use your current 3800 inks (other than the magentas) so you won't waste them, a new 3880's net price is about $600.

I know, you're right - I've run the numbers. It just bugs me it went from printing 22 prints for a client's show to nothing.

[Wayne Fox]

I know, you're right - I've run the numbers. It just bugs me it went from printing 22 prints for a client's show to nothing.

Of course nothing ever dies at a convenient time.   

[na goodman]

Oh, so true.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Now I'm getting worried. My 3800 is about 4.5 years old, and so far it's been flawless.
I guess I'd better do a lot of printing for the next six months. 

[mfryd]

According to Epson's service manual, the operating life of the 3800 is until one of the following:

• 12,000 pages (A2 plain paper fine mode)
• 1,600,000 paths (carriage movement)
• 5 years



If your 3800 is 5 years old, then it has reached the end of its rated service life.

Epson does not expect these printers to last longer than 5 years, even with light usage.

[na goodman]

I have seen that in the service manual but I can't believe it is chipped to time out at 5 years. Actually I'm a few months shy of 5 years. I checked the 3880 manual and it I can not find the same information. So, it looks like they took it out of the 3880 manual.

[huguito]

I am using a 9600, got it used
Will this explode soon?     



Sorry I couldn't help myself


Hugo

[na goodman]

Ha, ha, don't jinx yourself! We're putting a new cap/assembly in and see if she'll be as good as new. I'm not one to give up easy. I'll keep you posted.