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Author Topic: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?  (Read 13935 times)

manfred1

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New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« on: September 02, 2013, 01:08:04 pm »

Hi,

after using my Epson 3800 for some years, I would like to buy a new 3880.

Now, what to do with my current 3800 (compatible) ink cartridges containing still a lot of ink?

After unpacking the 3880, can I use the old  (compatible) 3800 inks instead of the new ink cartridges supplied with the printer? And if the old cartridges go empty, then use the new supplied cartridges.

Are there any drawbacks or issues with this approach? Or what is the best approach to avoid wasting the ink of the 3800 cartridges?

Thanks.

Manfred




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na goodman

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2013, 04:58:34 pm »

You can use the old inks from the 3800 except for the magenta's. That being said, you should use the ink that comes with the 3880 and when you need to replace an empty cartridge you can use the 3800's as long as they are not either of the magenta's. The 3800 and 3880 have the same ink codes except for the magenta's.
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Sal Baker

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2013, 05:04:14 pm »

You can use Epson 3800 ink in the 3880.  The only 3800 colors you can't use in the 3880 is the magenta and light magenta.  The 3880 replaces those with the Vivid Magenta and Vivid Light Magenta.  The other colors can be used in either printer.  Go to B&H and check out Epson K3 ink carts.  The same non-vivid color inks are sold for both the 3800 and 3880.

Sal
« Last Edit: September 02, 2013, 05:07:51 pm by Sal Baker »
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manfred1

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2013, 05:49:56 pm »

HI,

thanks for the hints. 

My main concern was not about the compatibility of the cartridges, but about the sequence when to use which cartridges (firstly new cartridges, then used cartridges OR firstly used cartridges then new cartridges).

- First approach would be: unpack the 3880, insert the new cartridges supplied with the 3880. But until some new cartridges go empty, what should I do with my old 3800 cartridges? Can I remove them from the 3800? Or should I keep them in the 3800? How can I avoid that the ink is drying?

- Second approach would be: unpack the 3880, insert the used/old 3800 cartridges,  insert the new 2 vivid ink cartridges (supplied with the 3880). Will this cause some issues because the new 3880 is initially used with used/old 3800 cartridges?

Manfred
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na goodman

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2013, 06:04:56 pm »

So, are you not going to use the 3800 any longer? If not, just removed the cartridges and put them in a plastic bag or tape over the holes and put them in a bag. The ink does not dry up.
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chez

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2013, 06:17:38 pm »

I would mover the 3800 ink to the 3880 and leave the 3880 ink in their sealed packages until the original 3800 ink runs out. Why would you want to open up sealed ink and put your used 3800 ink into zip locked bags?
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na goodman

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2013, 06:23:28 pm »

Some printers have to have the first set of inks used to initialize the printer. I'm not sure is that is the case with the 3880.
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MBrew

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2013, 07:59:46 pm »

My 3880 was happy using the 3800 ink to do initial fill.  I printed with them until empty and then put the supplied 3880 cartridges in.
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martin archer-shee

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2013, 08:24:43 pm »

You can use all the 3800 inks in the 3880 but you will not get all the benefits of the new magenta until you switch to them. I have been using the older set ( although it was the Lyson brand in my 2880.  Once my supply of old magenta was used up I  would switch to the new support,you. Might have to modify my profiles. Not a big deal.
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RachelleK

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2013, 09:22:30 pm »

Is there any actual difference between a 3800 and a 3880 other than the two magenta inks?
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Sal Baker

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2013, 10:01:28 pm »

Is there any actual difference between a 3800 and a 3880 other than the two magenta inks?
The 3880 has Teflon coated heads to reduce clogs and a more "advanced" dithering system.

Sal
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AFairley

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #11 on: September 02, 2013, 11:24:09 pm »

If you are using the 3800 carts to prime the 3880 ( which you can do except for the magenta) be sure they are at least 1/3 full, because of the ink level gets too low in a cart during the prime, the prime will fail, and when you rerun it, it will use the same amount of ink as a full prime, resulting in tha waste of a lot of ink.
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Manoli

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2013, 02:53:56 am »

You can use all the 3800 inks in the 3880 but you will not get all the benefits of the new magenta until you switch to them.

Epson EU confirmed this to me some time ago BUT NOT the magentas. Use the NEW 3880 Magentas.
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jhacesr

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2013, 12:44:19 am »

Sorry to bring back this old thread, but I am interested in buying old Epson 3800 cartridges, as long as there is at least 30% left in them.  PM if interested.
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martin0reg

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2015, 01:27:35 pm »

Excuse me for digging in old threads, but my question is very similar:
I have a 3880 and there is an offer to buy a set of 3800 carts.

All carts are the same - except that the M and LM changed to VM and LVM.
If I would try them anyway:
- Is it only a problem with color cast and could that be balanced / even out by profiling (colormunki)
- or would the M and LM cart NOT be recognized in my 3880?

Has anybody actually tried to use these two 3800 carts in a 3880?

The offer is very reasonable so I would like to know...
« Last Edit: August 24, 2015, 01:29:22 pm by martin0reg »
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howardm

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #15 on: August 24, 2015, 01:42:06 pm »

my hunch is that the 3880 will simply reject the cartridges when they are inserted (as it reads the chip on the cartridge and sees they are not 'appropriate').

Depending on the cost, you may be able to re-re-sell the 3800 M carts.

martin0reg

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #16 on: August 24, 2015, 02:53:20 pm »

my hunch is that ...
So is my suspicion - but you never know until you try...

Just have read that a set of refillables (with "transponder chips" on top of the original) seems to work in a 3880..
..with the chips of M and LM from 3800 carts:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3254192#forum-post-42286294

Nobody out there who have put M and LM (3800) into the slots for VM and LVM (3880)?
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martin archer-shee

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #17 on: August 24, 2015, 06:01:48 pm »

I too went for new cartridges (Chinese) and loaded them with ink from inkjet mall in Vermont. I sold my new Epson cartridges and got some used ones which I took the chips from and also sucked out with a syringe the remaining Epson ink. Put the Epson ink in the new carts and added Inkjet Mall ink to fill. ABSOLUTELY no problem with colour or clogging or profiles. HOWEVER one caveat, you have to change the magenta and light magenta. Do not use the 3800 magenta inks or carts or chips.

Toss the old magenta and light magenta away or find a happy 3800 user.

The 3880 and injetmall inks have been great for over two years on my 3880 system.

Best of luck

Martin :D
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BobShaw

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #18 on: August 25, 2015, 08:14:56 pm »

Assuming they are new and sealed, the ones which have the same part numbers you can use, those that don't you can't. It is as simple as that.
So discount the value of the offer by the ones you can't use and put them on ebay.
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martin0reg

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Re: New Epson 3880 - can I use my old 3800 ink cartridges?
« Reply #19 on: August 26, 2015, 09:53:06 am »

Thank you for suggestions. I have now bought 6 out of 12 as they were offered all as single items, have left the M and LM.
But I am curios anyway, what would really happen if you put these 3800 carts in a 3880...!?
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