Locking the 9900 printhead for moving?

[Mike Guilbault]

Ok... I'm all set to move the 9900 but can't for the life of me, figure out how to re-install the blue plastic head-locking 'thingy' with the string attached. The diagram in the manual is no help at all and I can't find anything online, youtube, etc. 

If anyone knows how it fits in, could you post a photo or quick video on to reinstall it?  I've got a crew coming in on Monday to move it so need it ready to go by then.

TIA

[Chris233]

I can send you a picture on Monday but it might be too late for you. Another option that works is to roll a ball of bubble wrap and tape it up snug next to the printhead carriage. You don't want the bubblewrap applying pressure to the printhead but you do want it to prevent the printhead from moving. Have used this method several times with no problems shipping cross country. Apply the tape to the back wall (platen) of the printer over the bubblewrap and then secure it just outside the door.

[Chris233]

and make sure the bubblewrap is dust free if you do

[Mike Guilbault]

Chris... if you can send the photo before 10:30ish.... that should be good. Send it to [email protected], if you don't mind. 

Is the blue thing (or bubble wrap that came with the printer there to stop the head from moving side to side, or bumping against the platen? Seems to me that the head would be locked from moving laterally anyway.

We're loading the printer on a utility van (Sprinter) and taking it about a block to it's new home - no stairs at all - so it's not going far.  Still, I'd rather not take any chances. I have printing to do on Tuesday!

[Chris233]

The printhead is locked with a plastic peg and the pump cap seals seated on the head, but can take only so many jolts before those components fail in shipping. You're only going down the road, so the biggest scare would be dropping the printer.

[Mike Guilbault]

Just to be safe, I'd really like to get the original blue thing back to where it's supposed to be. So if anyone can send me a photo in the meantime, I'd really appreciate it.

[davidh202]

If I remember correctly the head lifts up slightly away from the platen at the bottom and the blue locking block slides under it into the gap in the platten to keep the head from sliding off the capping station, and  tape holds the piece in place. I tried to pay attention to that when I got mine, but it's been 3 years now  

YouTube is your friend...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76-t-4Jf-QA

[Mike Guilbault]

I watched that video but the piece he pulled out is different from the one I have.  I did manage to get it in well enough to stop the head from moving. I don't know if it was the exact same or correct place, but it seems to have worked.  I called Epson the morning of the move and their answer was that most people take it out and throw it away, so they have no instructions anywhere on where/how to put it back other than the very poor diagram in the manual.  No help.

Here's a photo of the piece installed, my way.  There's a long flat piece, about 6-7" long, that is attached to the bottom half of what is shown in this photo. It's flat against the back panel and runs back behind the head. By unfolding the top half of what's shown, where the string is attached, it will fit snugly up at the top. As I said, I'm not sure if that's the official way, but it worked.  9900 is back in business!