Epson 7900 Carts - how long are they good for?

[highway0691]

After owning a 7900 for 4 years and replacing the head myself (thanks to Eric) only to have the second printhead go after 18 months. I have just purchased a brand new 7900 (was tempted to put a 3rd printhead in it but it had done a bit of work) now I have just run through most of the 300ml carts that come with a new printer I'm putting in the old ones from the 1st printer.

I have no problems with them as they are all under 1 year old. But I'm wary of the Orange and Green which are old, it seems I don't use much of them. They are dated 01 2013 and 07 2013. Thinking they might be a bit old. Also the PB which I never use as I've had bad clog issues when switching in the early days is also old and dated 06 2013.

Thinking of tossing them and buying new. What do you think? do these inks loose their consistency and are prone to more clogging because they're old?

[highway0691]

What? You mean no-one has anything to say about this??

[Paul2660]

I wouldn't worry about them, if you are going to run the ink through in a short period of time.  I you are gong to let the carts sit there over the next 6 months, might not be a good idea.

I have used 2 year old carts on my 7800, no issues.  The ink lasts a long time as long as it's been kept from freezing or has gotten too hot. 

Your printer is out of warranty, so you don't have anything to lose and you already know how to replace your head.  I can't see the older ink creating a clog especially if it's 2013. 

Sure there is a risk, so is there everything you drive a car, but I think your risk level here is pretty low.

Just one opinion.

Paul

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I don't have a 7900, but I have a 3800 which is now six years old and going strong.

Just a couple of weeks ago I had my first ever serious nozzle clog, which didn't clear up with a couple of cleanings.
The "Information" tab on the Epson Status Monitor told me that four of my cartridges were manufactured in 2011. This included the two that would clean properly.

I took the old carts out and shook them a few times and tried another nozzle check. No change. Then I replaced all four of the elderly carts and tried again. Now everything is printing just fine again.

This is the first time in six years that I have had any problem with old carts, and yes, the old ones were colors that I seem to use very little of, but I have never had problems with carts only one or two years old.

I expect that the same is true of the 7900, so I would give the old carts a reasonable shake and try them in the new printer, but also invest in some spares for those ones in case you have problems.