Re: Computer in the Garage

Posted by John On 2010/2/12 10:04:27

PackardV8,
"I've refilled my Lexmark #16 black cartridge up to 3hree times before it becomes no longer receptive to refilling. How do i reset the sensor on the cartridge???? I was not aware that any sensor existed to reset.

I do a lot of dumpster diving so i have a good collection of used Lexmark #16 cartridges. But after about the 3-rd time of refilling thay just don't work good. Is that because i didn't know to reset a sensor???"

Earlier printers were not equipped with the necessary electronics to monitor the levels of the ink cartridges. Most printers made within the last several years have sensors built into the cartridges so the printer can monitor the ink levels and display them either on the printer itself, or on a "pop-up" when the user initiates a print job. When the cartridge reaches the empty state, the printer will stop printing until the empty cartridge is replaced with one containing ink. The sensors are not like a fuel gauge float, but are electronic in nature and are "locked" when the tank is empty. Most reliable remanufacturers have the capability to reset the sensor, and there are some devices available on the Internet that will do so as well. Some companies actually circumvented the sensors and counted the number of pages printed, in order to monitor ink levels. This practice resulted in at least one major class action suit which ended up costing that company several hundred million dollars. If you refill your own tanks, I recommend that you try to not let them get past the 1/2 mark before refilling. That way, you will never let the sensor lock out.
As far as your 3 refill problem, I surmise that the quality becomes unacceptable after the third refill. If your cartridge has the built in printhead (i.e. tiny rows of holes on what appears to be a brass or copper strip), the abrasive nature of the ink actually erodes away the precise size of the nozzles and you get a faulty spray pattern. Most respectable remanufacturers will quality test the cartridge before completely refilling it. The company that I have used in the past actually advises that 3 to 5 refills is the usuable life of the cartridge.
John