Inkjet Printer Forum / Ink Jet Refill Forum / Should you tape the German refill hole?

Inkjet Printer Forum / Ink Jet Refill Forum

Everything you need to know about inkjet printers, ink jet refills, and inkjet cartridges!

You are not logged in.

#1 11/03/2009 2:00:28 pm

ghwellsjr
InkJet Master
From: La Verne, California
Registered: 06/15/2006
Posts: 2292

Should you tape the German refill hole?

A couple months ago, I refilled two Canon BCI-6 cartridges using the German method. I covered the outlet ports on the bottoms of both of them with tape and left the air vents on the top uncovered. I then covered the refill hole on one of them and left the other one uncovered. I left them sitting in an upright position on a shelf.

After two months, the ink level in the cartridge with the covered refill hole has not gone down at all but the ink level in the cartridge with the uncovered refill hole has gone down about an eighth of an inch. This means there is a slight amount of evaporation through the refill hole if you don't cover it.

Also, if you do not cover the refill hole, you run the risk of providing an air path from the refill hole to the outlet port which can result in an ink flow problem.

So in my opinion, you should seal the German refill hole with tape after each refill.


Canon MX700, MP760, MP780, iP4000, iP4000R, iP6000D, i9100, i860 printers.
I used to vacuum fill Canon cartridges with Inktec ink but I have converted to the German method. It's so much quicker, easier and cleaner.

Offline

 

#2 11/03/2009 2:26:45 pm

pharmacist
InkJet Master
From: Ghent, Belgium
Registered: 05/29/2007
Posts: 1185

Re: Should you tape the German refill hole?

One thing: the cartridges are normally installed into the printer where the printhead is parked away above a area with high humidity (purging pads) and the opening of the refill hole is almost pressing agains the back of the printhead cover.

One can always put a dot of hot glue on the refill hole when keeping the cartridges for a while, like I do. But when the cartridges are in my printer I never seal the refill hole and never experience any problems with evaporation.

I did not used my Canon i9950 during summer times for about 2 months (hot and dry here in Europe) and just before period I refilled the LM cartridge until full. After this period I did not see any drop in ink levels and especially looking on the LM cartridge (maybe 2 tiny extra air bubbles ?). I hope this will clear things, but you are right you have to seal the refill hole storing the cartridges outside the printer: I too do this to prevent evaporation.


Using Hobbicolors UW-8 ink + KMP-PMT pigment ink. Printers: Epson 1400 A3+ with Inkrepublic.com IRK4-nano pigment CISS, Canon MX850 AIO and now my latest purchase: an Epson Pro 3800 A2 large format printer + refillable T580x cartridges refilled with pigment ink from Precisioncolors.com.

Online

 

#3 11/03/2009 8:40:39 pm

websnail
InkJet Master
From: South Yorks, UK
Registered: 10/27/2005
Posts: 1715
Website

Re: Should you tape the German refill hole?

Just as a note... I've found that aluminium tape is about the best temporary solution to any hole sealing. It's usually available from trade DIY stores.


OctoInkjet: Waste ink kits, SquEasyFill refill kits, Image Specialists/KMP inks, etc.. | Waste Ink-lings - articles, resources, etc..
Printers: C84/6/8, D92, D120, R285/800/1900, iP4200/4300/4500/5200, MP500/830, HP-K550/850/5400/8600, L7780 Ink: Image Specialists, KMP

Online

 

#4 11/04/2009 4:48:09 pm

nanosec
InkJet Guru
Registered: 12/15/2007
Posts: 87

Re: Should you tape the German refill hole?

I've considered taping mine, all i know is I hate handling tape with latex gloves on!

Offline

 

#5 11/05/2009 12:51:37 am

ghwellsjr
InkJet Master
From: La Verne, California
Registered: 06/15/2006
Posts: 2292

Re: Should you tape the German refill hole?

Take off the gloves. I don't use gloves when refilling with the German method. That's one of its advantages. Have you really found it necessary?


Canon MX700, MP760, MP780, iP4000, iP4000R, iP6000D, i9100, i860 printers.
I used to vacuum fill Canon cartridges with Inktec ink but I have converted to the German method. It's so much quicker, easier and cleaner.

Offline

 

#6 11/05/2009 8:59:57 am

nanosec
InkJet Guru
Registered: 12/15/2007
Posts: 87

Re: Should you tape the German refill hole?

ghwellsjr wrote:

Take off the gloves. I don't use gloves when refilling with the German method. That's one of its advantages. Have you really found it necessary?

I am messy by nature. If there's a way to get ink on my hands, I will find it!

Offline

 

#7 11/05/2009 10:43:33 am

websnail
InkJet Master
From: South Yorks, UK
Registered: 10/27/2005
Posts: 1715
Website

Re: Should you tape the German refill hole?

nanosec wrote:

ghwellsjr wrote:

Take off the gloves. I don't use gloves when refilling with the German method. That's one of its advantages. Have you really found it necessary?

I am messy by nature. If there's a way to get ink on my hands, I will find it!

Sounds awfully familiar... with any tape though, I've found that the gloves have got to come off or you just end up with latex adhered tape and holes in your gloves.


OctoInkjet: Waste ink kits, SquEasyFill refill kits, Image Specialists/KMP inks, etc.. | Waste Ink-lings - articles, resources, etc..
Printers: C84/6/8, D92, D120, R285/800/1900, iP4200/4300/4500/5200, MP500/830, HP-K550/850/5400/8600, L7780 Ink: Image Specialists, KMP

Online

 

Board footer

Powered by PunBB
© Copyright 2002–2005 Rickard Andersson