Step 1) Put the cartridge on some paper towels or newspapers in an area where you can tolerate a spill.
Step 2) Remove the label from the top of the cartridge. You will notice 5 holes.
Step 3) The colors are as illustrated in
the photo on the right. If you are in doubt, to be sure of which color is in each chamber,
insert a toothpick and check the color of the ink on the toothpick when it is withdrawn. .
Step 4) Be sure to remove the protective snout from the syringe before attaching needle. Fill one syringe full of ink and insert the needle fully into the appropriate hole, angling toward the print head on the bottom of the cartridge. We suggest that you tape over the other two holes while filling to avoid accidental color contamination. Go slowly or you will develop air bubbles in the lower part of the sponge which will block ink flow.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OVERFILL, since over-filling can cause leakage and cross-contamination. Don’t put in more than the recommended amount of ink – 5-6 ml (one syringe full) in each chamber. As you put the ink in hold the cartridge up so you can watch the print head. When the ink starts to come out the print head blot immediately with a paper towel to prevent the ink from "wicking" upward into a neighboring chamber and causing cross-color contamination. Then tilt the cartridge slightly backwards and start pulling the needle out as you slowly inject the remainder of the ink, watching the print head as you go. If ink starts to come out again pull the needle out and reinsert at a different angle, so as to disperse the ink throughout the internal sponge. If ink still tries to come out the print head the chamber is full of ink. Do not add additional ink!Step 5) You may replace the label over the holes on top of the cartridge after refilling. However, the holes on top must not be sealed. You may tape them over for storage, or to keep the ink from evaporating, but you must pierce a tiny hole over each one or the cartridge will print a few pages and then "airlock." If you notice, there are tiny channels under the label to allow the air to come into the holes.
Step 6) Set on a paper towel lying on its side for an hour as a drip precaution, and to allow the ink to disperse throughout the internal sponge. Do not allow the print head to touch the paper, as it will "wick" the ink.
Troubleshooting
If you get poor quality print or no print at all you probably have clogged, or partially clogged jets. Dried out cartridges are the cause. The following is the best way to deal with this.
Take the cartridge out of the printer and cover the print head (that's the thing on the bottom of the cartridge where the ink comes out) with a wad of toilet paper. While standing, hold the cartridge in your hand, with the print head toward the floor and swing it hard, sort of like a softball pitcher winding up for the pitch. On the down swing really put some force into it. The force of gravity on the ink will force it through the clogged jet and clean it out. Swing two or three good swings and look at your tissue. When you see all three colors coming out and leaving good rectangular "tracks" you have gotten it unclogged. Re-insert the cartridge into the printer and run the normal cleaning routine. If the ink comes out well by swinging the cartridge, but it still won’t print correctly, it is very likely you have a defective cartridge. Some of the resistors may be burnt out. There is nothing to do in this case but replace the cartridge. Burnt-out resistors are caused most often by trying to continue printing after one or more colors have gone dry. The ink is the cooling agent for the resistors and when it is gone they overheat very quickly.
To reset the ink level to full cover the green contact with cellophane tape and insert in printer. Printer will print test page. Then uncover green contact and cover red contact. Again insert in printer and wait for test page to print. Remove tape from red contact and ink level will read full. This one works the same as the 56 cartridge.
For more help go to our Troubleshooting FAQ at http://www.vamex.com/troubleshooting_faq.htm.
Have a question? Give us a call at 1-573-223-3308
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