UPDATE:
I called Epson. Asked them for a wiper cleaning assembly. They gave me the part number, and three telephone numbers to the only (3) official Epson parts distributors in the US. I called every one of them. Are you ready for this?
NO ONE STOCKS EPSON 7900 WIPER CLEANER ASSEMBLIES
Here are the three numbers they gave me:
1 - Oregon -
Compass microno automated menu nonsense - human answers the call. Horrible website, call instead.
2 - New York -
National Parts Depot annoying automated menu nonsense, just press
5 to get where you want. Crap website, just call instead. *NOTE: if you are lucky like I was, the hottest telephone operator on the east coast simply melts you into submission. You will order every part they have.
3 - Georgia -
Vance Baldwin best website of the bunch. Don't order the wiper from them, they have a $15 minimum order - the wiper cleaner assembly is less than that.
Of the three Epson parts distributors, I went with Compassmirco.com. They sell the wiper cleaner assembly for $13. The price I quoted in a previous post, $16, was from my Pemla contact, Anthony. Now I understand where he gets his parts from - he had told me direct from Epson, which I now understand is impossible. While I had Compassmicro on the phone I told them about this thread on Luminous Landscape, and how important the wiper cleaner assembly is to the 79/9900's successful use. They said they might stock them in the future.
I ordered FIVE wiper cleaner assemblies - part # 1504179. Why five? Just in case any of you guys want one now. If so send me $13 plus $5 shipping, I will mail it to you in a $5 usps flat rate box. It'll get anywhere in two days for that amount. I will have them Friday, 2/3/12
Eric