Fill Brother Cartridges with Promax Plug Valves

Promax Imaging Ltd

14-16 Uttoxeter Rd
UPPER TEAN
Staffs
ST10 4LG UK

Tel:
+44 (0) 1538
722121

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724327




			Brother LC-900BK – LC-900C – LC-900M – LC-900Y

LC900 DATA TABLE

Cartridge number

Colour

OEM full weight

Empty weight from printer

True empty weight

Ink delivered

Recommended fill

OCP Ink ref

LC-900Bk

Black

41.20g

22.80g

n\a

18.40g

22ml

BKP45

LC-900

Cyan

31.45g

20.25g

n\a

11.20g

12ml

C92

LC-900

Magenta

30.45g

21.25g

n\a

9.20g

12ml

M88

LC-900

Yellow

31.20g

21.20g

n\a

10.00g

12ml

Y77

Brother’s LC-900 series cartridge is easily refilled using Promax Plug Valves*.

The construction of this cartridge is fairly simple. But it is difficult to refill due to the construction of the seals on both the venting point and the delivery point. These seals, which have a soft thin silicon rubber body, are very sensitive to pressure, and will break if any more than the slightest pressure is applied to them.

One of the major causes of failure in this group of cartridges is ink blocking the venting valve, yet it is impossible to see this without first disassembling the cartridge, which will also render the cartridge useless.

This ink usually gets into the venting upstand after the customer has removed it from the printer so he can bring it to you for refilling.

The Professor can hear you saying “Well why doesn’t it happen to new OEM cartridges then?” Simple – it’s due to air pressure, surface tension, ullage and orifice. No, this is not going to be the subject of another lecture. If you really want to know why, then email the Professor at: professorpromax@professorpromax.com.

There are other causes of ink getting into the valve. These include under-filling, ink foaming during refilling, over-filling and extreme variances of temperature if the cartridge is not stored in an upright position.

Therefore care must be taken by you not to overfill these cartridges, otherwise THEY WILL FAIL to function in the printer due to blockage of the venting valve, rendering the cartridge unable to aspirate.

This same problem may also damage the print head if back suction is created, which causes air to ingress into the printhead through the jets. Result, one unhappy customer, and one huge repair bill for you, SO BE WARNED.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS. Using the Promax Plug Valve* to refill this group of cartridges will ensure consistently good results.

The plug valve* prevents ink foaming during refilling, and most importantly, it clears the venting valve of any ink liable to cause problems later while the cartridge is being refilled, by expelling the ink from the valve.

This is the venting valve, and is very delicate. If depressed the shaft will displace into the cartridge.

This is the delivery valve, it is also delicate and will displace into the cartridge if pressed down too hard.

The indicator flag shown here is attached to a float inside the cartridge. In this position it interrupts the sensor beam indicating to the printer that the cartridge is full.

The upstand shown here is the vent from the valve below. Note the conical shape and sloping end at the top. These features prevent ink in the fully filled cartridge being allowed to egress into the venting valve.

Note that the indicator flag is not in view. In this position the sensor beam is uninterrupted and informs the printer that the cartridge is empty.

This view shows the indicator flag attached to the internal float.

The venting valve chamber is shown here. It is quite large in proportion to the rest of the cartridge, you can see the potential it has to cause trouble. It must be clear of ink.

From this picture you can clearly see the OEM ink level.

It is important not to exceed these levels by much. In practice, no less than the lower mark, no higher than the upper mark.

Filling the Cartridge

Drill a hole in the lid of the cartridge to take the plug valve in the position shown in the picture.

When drilling, hold the cartridge firmly to prevent the drill from snatching. Better still, use a drill vice.

Insert the plug valve pushing fully home.

Fill the syringe with the required amount of ink, and insert firmly into the plug valve as shown.

Hold the cartridge tight against the work surface to open the vent valve. Keep the pressure on the cartridge throughout the filling process.

This ensures that any ink that might cause problems with the valve is expelled, together with the displaced air from the cartridge.

This is the fully filled cartridge, note the level of the ink.

The cartridge displayed is the LC-900M.

It is filled with the recommended 12ml of ink.

Wipe any ink drops from the cartridge vent valve.

Also wipe clean the plug valve.

RE-LABEL THE CARTRIDGE TO MAKE IT CLEAR IT IS A REMANUFACTURED CARTRIDGE, PREFERABLY COVERING THE OEM LABEL.

Job done.


	11th March 2007


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