Hello brothers and sisters, it's been a while. Sorry
Never being one to embrace (admit) defeat, it's been more comfortable for me to consider the ever ambitious clog clearing journey of my genius buddy and mine, in a state of re-grouping rather than abandonment. But really these heads destroyed us. Ironically it was that last head which I truly think I cleared - but also damaged - which killed it for me. Something in the message that flashed across this 9900's screen "FATAL ERROR" really sank my heart. So much money, so much time, I was destroyed. But I also learned from that experience that we can indeed affect an un-clearable clog, just not safely.
...At least not yet.
Walking past my dismantled 9900 reminds me each morning of my unfinished work. And it reminds me to think. Which I do. As a result here is where I am at:
1 - don't apply pressure manually to these heads. Too hard to regulate, too sensitive, too dangerous.
2 - don't force your way past the machine's automated safety warning-stops by operating in maintenance mode. Without warning-stops, you instantly die.
3 - don't just keep doing power-cleanings (which after two or so most likely won't work anyway). Print in-between cleanings.
4 - when you feel like you are pouring very expensive ink down a very expensive drain, you most likely are.
Typically people contact me through myx900.com now. Most are questions or requests, some are thank you's, a few are donations, and every once in a rare blue moon (not that Blue Moon) I get a very helpful suggestion. One of these suggestions has had me thinking now, for quite a while, about a new approach..
John Schwaller, an Epson 4900 owner who found himself cornered by un-clearable clogs one unfortunate month, went back and forth with me for a while about what he should do next. We talked about lots of stuff, some of which was not appropriate because apparently the 4900 has a different menu system/options/functions which I cannot relate to because I've never had my hands on one. I offered to send John my cleaning carts (I only have four) if they would help him. Maybe some cleaning fluid too. But rather than listen to my suggestions John tried something on his own. What a fool? After way too many power cleanings, standard cleanings, pairs cleanings and so on, John performed a few ink charges. Talk about flushing ink down the drain, my lord I commend his enthusiasm. But check this out - this revived his 4900 back up to 100%. And check this out on top of that - this ink charging process does not fire the nozzles, therefore it does not heat the heads, and therefore I am left to assume that it is the safest process left to pursue.
My idea is to remove our Epson Ink carts all together, and our maintenance tanks. Purchase a complete set of cleaning carts and a resettable maintenance tank. Fill the carts with Epson's RED cleaning fluid and do a few initialize ink charges. Follow this by firing a nozzle pattern. Since the solution is red, it will be readable. Once the machine fires 100%, replace the RED with WHITE and do one last ink charge. Maybe two for good measure. Reinstall our original Epson ink carts and do one last ink charge. Back to printing.
...at least that's the idea
One last detail which I have not solved yet is how to get a 79/9900 to do an ink charge through the menu system (or any system). John tells me it's an option on the 4900 in the menu system. I don't find that option on the big machines. Yet. If I can solve this last hurdle I am prepared to buy the carts, I already have the cleaning fluid. If this works I am willing to put this together as a kit, we can ship it all over the planet. I have been burned a few times by now with people requesting things, promising things, offering things - and then disappearing. Whatever, plenty of $hit heads in this world, it's not gonna get me down. If this works we can come up with a system to cover potential losses. What we first need to do is get it to work. Like I said I'll buy the carts, what I need now is a head. If you've used my video to replace your head (which thankfully a good number of people from different parts of this planet successfully have by now), and you have an old (potentially repairable) head sitting in your drawer, mail it to me. If I clean it I'll mail it back to you. $hit heads need not apply.
It's just clogged ink after all. Be nice to finally beat this. ...batter up