Epson SC-P900: almost DOA (Dead On Arrival)

[Dutch_Capture]

Here is my P900 experience so far. Printer arrived, initialization went smoothly (after which ink levels were reduced to approximately 30%).
Installation of software (via https://epson.sn) was straightforward. Everything seemed fine, my iMac 2017 (OS Catalina) communicates
without problems with the printer. The only problem: when printing, not a single droplet of ink gets onto the paper, which remains as white as it was.
Also the nozzle check print remained empty.

DOA or not?

After consulting Epson NL, the problem seemed to be air in the ink tubes, and the solution consisted of executing many cleaning-  and two power-cleaning-cycles. After which my initial maintenance box was filled up, which
I replaced then by the spare copy. And the ink levels were reduced to only a few percent. But the nozzle check prints gradually started to have more and more printed lines.
And in the end, it was alright.

Just about enough ink left to make a couple of test prints, more about which in a separate message.

[I.T. Supplies]

Could be a few things, but best to contact your Epson support to confirm details.  If you've gone thru the cleaning process a few times and still no ink, it "may" be something inside (hopefully not a bad head).

Good luck!

[nirpat89]

I would send it right back and ask for a replacement. Brand new printer shouldn't have to be fussed with trying to clean and flush etc.  Too bad...

:Niranjan.

[mearussi]

Epson should at least replace all the ink and the cartridge you used.

[Dutch_Capture]

Thanks for your comments. In the end, I decided to return the printer as a DOA. Epson did not want to supply
an additional free set of ink, and having run out of ink, I was not able to perform enough test prints
to have sufficient confidence in the machine. A new printer has been ordered, it is presently out of stock.

In the end, not all was negative. I really liked the whole new set up of the printer, including paper feeding
and lcd screen, both of which are much better than the P600 (or P800).
Also my first P600 went back as a DOA (leaving very visible pizza wheel marks on many prints).
The second P600 I got, however, was flawless and has been (and still is) producing excellent quality prints,
no flaws whatsoever (other than the ones I put myself into my photography).

So I remain very optimistic and am looking forward very much to my new P900.

[Jeremy Roussak]

FWIW, I think you've done the right thing in rejecting the printer.

Your story is similar to mine, with an SC-P7500 (7570 in the USA). It was hauled up two flights of stairs and set up. Only PK and MK lines worked. Epson engineer came out the next day and recommended removal and replacement. Dealer objected (it had taken over an hour to get it up the stairs in my house, which are narrow and have a right-angle turn), and persuaded Epson to try to repair it. Epson engineer came out, with loads of parts, and after a whole day had it almost working. Returned the next day to replace the print head but after a quick clean, all nozzles were fine so I agreed there was no point.

All was then well for a couple of weeks, after which nozzle checks started to fail repeatedly. Another Epson engineer came out, replaced the head and couldn't get it to function, so I rejected the printer. I gave the dealer the choice between refund and replacement: he chose refund and the thing was duly taken away.

I was then away for a couple of months but ordered a replacement when I returned (and was out of quarantine), from a different dealer (of course). They broke a couple of plastic parts getting it up the stairs, which didn't affect function and were replaced within a few days, but otherwise the new printer has worked perfectly from the outset.

The whole experience was very irritating, and if I'd been relying on it for my business I'd have been furious. However, I have ended up with a printer for which I paid £240 less (the price had dropped) and has a 3-year rather than a 1-year warranty (change in standard practice by Epson in the interim); and the first engineer brought a complete set of 350ml cartridges, worth over £1,000, which of course I retained. So, swings and roundabouts.

Jeremy

[IPDOUGLAS]

Thanks for your comments. In the end, I decided to return the printer as a DOA. Epson did not want to supply
an additional free set of ink

I suspect Epson does not have any ink.  It seems in short supply.  This printer should have been replaced immediately and without question.  For any support to request additional cleaning cycles is at YOUR expense and not theirs.   Personally I never trust any product that has teething problems.   Hearing this is really disappointing on two levels as I was considering this as a replacement for a dead Canon Imageprofgraf Pro 1000 (which for well documented reasons in this forum I would NEVER buy again).   Firstly, I am hearing some dissatisfaction with it from some respected sources and secondly since it appears 'flimsy' to me and perhaps inadequate for the job?  I do not want a printer that produces superb prints for 2 years then no longer works - I had that with the Canon Pro 1000.   Reported ink shortages are a problem also - back here in the UK virtually no one on the photographic club circuit is printing due to the Covid lockdown and no club print competitions yet there is still little ink available?   Odd as I feel ink is an industrial and chemical process and involves few humans and then not densely working together (so in effect not so effected by Covid 19)?