Fix 3880 or Buy used R2880?

[Pindy]

I've had a trusty 3880 for around 8 years (maybe longer?) that has finally succumbed to the dreaded black ink valve switcher problem; all the black ink (both) has drained into the maintenance cartridge and I've read the fix is around $450. I have also read the handy person can do the repair using the service manual and a $150 cost for the part. My friend, who bought an R2880 in 2013 and used it twice offered me his, with a request to "give me something for it". I'm not a pro, or even a busy hobbyist, and I realize the 3880 is a better long-term value in terms of ink, but the repair plus the new ink required to re prime it is almost the cost of a P800 after rebate. The R2880 has cheaper inksets, but I would replace them more often. BUT—I don't print often and don't usually print above 13x19. What would you do?

[digitaldog]

If you're a bit mechanically inclined, the switch itself cost about $25 to replace. Can provide URL's for video's on doing so, again if you want to try that route. The $150 is if you replace the entire 'assembly' which may or may not be necessarily.
I'd not go R2880 (I had one, have a 3880, and P800), I'd go the later.
https://epson.com/Clearance-Center/Inkjet-Printers/Epson-SureColor-P800-Wide-Format-Inkjet-Printer---Refurbished/p/SCP800SE-N

[Pindy]

Thanks Andrew, I think I might be able to pull off the service myself. I'm a bit of a tinkerer in any case.

[Alan Goldhammer]

I faced the exact same issue several months ago.  The switch valve failed and I could only print with MK inks.  I spent a considerable amount of time looking at approaches to fixing it and even called the local Epson service center to see what they would charge (approximately $800 when including the new ink cartridges I would need to buy).  I think the repair is pretty straight forward but you should not only replace the switch valve but also the ink delivery system as that can become problematic with age.  That's what drives the price of parts up to $150.  I estimated that job would take about a day considering all the parts that had to be taken out and labeled so there would not be any re-assembly issues.  However, given how much use this printer had, I was not confident about the condition of the print head and replacing that is expensive.  Ultimately, I decided against DIY repair and purchased a Canon Pro-1000.  I'm very happy with the Canon and it is a much better constructed machine than the comparable Epsons.  It has a vacuum system to keep paper flat and the paper feed is so smooth you never have to worry about skews.  It won't do panoramas but I don't do much of that anyway.

As Andrew noted, I would not get a 2880.  I had one of those and the ink cartridges are very small.  However, if you only print on 13 inch paper and don't do much printing perhaps it is worth considering.

[I.T. Supplies]

If you're not going to be printing over 13x19, the other option is the P600 which is less expensive (and yes, smaller inks than P800), but you will still have the same technology in the printer that is better than the R2880.  It's actually the replacement for the R2880.  It really depends on your budget.

Also, I would probably steer away from refurb models since they will most likely have a used print head in it (if it was replaced).  The warranty docs don't guarantee a new head if it needs one, so there's a good chance you may get one that may fail you soon.  Not saying this will happen, but I had a customer that went thru 3 replacements (P800) and each had an issue.  If you get a new one, it's a brand new unit and head with the 1-year warranty, so you know it's new.

If you decide to repair an older (discontinued model), there will be a time when the parts will be discontinued as well so to us, it's not worth it if you'd be replacing it in a time frame anyway.  Get a newer model so it has the part readily available and you don't have to wait for something to come in.  Not that we want customers to buy a new printer, but just think of how old a model is and what parts "may" be available in case of a repair comes up.

Hope that helps.

[Pindy]

Appreciate the advice. Still mulling it over.

[Pindy]

https://epson.com/Clearance-Center/Inkjet-Printers/Epson-SureColor-P800-Wide-Format-Inkjet-Printer---Refurbished/p/SCP800SE-N

$639.99 for the refurbed P800 (assuming ink comes with) is tempting, despite the warnings!

[digitaldog]

$639.99 for the refurbed P800 (assuming ink comes with) is tempting, despite the warnings!

It comes with a warranty, and as someone who's purchased a good deal of such refurb's (from reputable companies), I wouldn’t be overly concerned.
Take the money you saved on a new unit, put it in the bank for.....
It's a lot like extended warranties, makes sense for just a few items (I usually consider this for devices like a freezer that's on 24/7). For most other stuff, I just put some money away for repair/replacement should, note should that be a need.

[dgberg]

If anyone knows? Are the lines of the refurbished printers charged with ink?
Or are they flushed out with a cleaning fluid?
I am assuming they also come with a full set of starter carts.
Want to buy an extra one for a backup and to put one of the chip boards in it so I can use refillables.
I purchased a new P8000 and converted it to dye sublimation so I have the 1000 ml of new ink to refill the second new P800. (Same Ink)

[digitaldog]

Epson states on the page:
Nine UltraChrome HD 64 ml initial ink cartridges
See also:
https://epson.com/certified-refurbished-products

[Pindy]

Epson states on the page:
Nine UltraChrome HD 64 ml initial ink cartridges
See also:
https://epson.com/certified-refurbished-products

Are the "regular" carts the 80ml ones? To be honest, my first cart set on the 3880 lasted me a lot longer than anticipated.

[digitaldog]

Yes, 'regular' cartridges are 80 ml:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1152551-REG/epson_t850_ultrachrome_hd_8_ink.html/specs