Extended Waste Ink Tank Epson Stylus Pro R1800.

Extended Waste Ink Tanks prevents the waste pads inside the printer from filling up when changing inks. The majority of waste ink enters the pads through the capping station but it is not the only way ink gets in the pads. The sponge along the print bed absorbs also ink that misses the edges of the paper especially while printing borderless and drips down on to the pads below.

Check Valves

Note: I found R1800 has more waste ink than my other Epson printers, which is an important reason more to install a waste ink solution AND to use the alternate, cheaper inks such as the FabricFast water based pigments.

•  What you need.

Installation of a bottle is not the only thing to do. Since the bottle sits as high or higher than the print head, we will install a check valve to prevent ink backing up into the pump, which may cause problems.

• Procedure:

1. Unscrew the 5 screws at the back of the printer, 2 screws at the left, 2 at the right and 1 screw in the middle.
2. Now that the screws are removed, gently pull the back side of the bottom case toward you to remove.
3. Be very gentle while taking apart the right side cover of the R1800, the cover should pop free with little force and should be easy to remove.
   Once removed, you'll see two tubes coming from the pumps (and cap station) going back inside the printer to the waste ink pads.
4. Carefully pull the metal clambs to the left and remove the main tubes from the little tubes that diverts the ink into the waste pads on the inside of the machine.
   Take as much time as it needs, the clambs are sitting very tight, be very gentle, you do not want to damage these tubes and you want to reuse them in full length.
5. We are using same tube as the main tube to diverts the ink outside the printer. For the connection we take a ¼ Inch long small pipe, ideal is the same small size as used in the printer and push the tubing on for half the length available. Push the other tube as far as it goes and place the metal clamb exact in the middle.
6. Drill a hole in the far right of the bottom case where there is a free room without wires or tubings in the way and make it large enough for the two tubes or if possible drill two holes.
   Re-route the tubing to the right and to the bottom of the channel and clamb it so it can not easily be moved.
7. Using a small tool makes it easy to divert the tube through the hole(s).
   Check the tube once again that it's route is smooth, no obstructions and stick to prevent moving around before closing the side cover.
   Now you can place the back cover again.
   
8. Before the waste ink goes into the tank we install check valves to prevent ink backing up into the pumps. Cut the tubes to a few inches outside the printer. Make sure to attach the right side of the check valve or find the right direction with a seringe and clear water. An additional benefit is that the check valves easily can be disconnect in case maintenance has to be done and the the pumps need to be primed with a flush solution.
   Note: If you install the system on your own and decide not to use check valves we recommend to install the external waste ink tank or bottle somewhere below the surface as that will prevent the ink backing up to the pumps.
   Clogging problems in the pump will automatically result in clogging problems in the print head as well.
   
9. The waste ink tank or bottle itself can basically being costumized from any bottle as long as is ensured that air can escape when the bottle fills up. We designed our waste ink tanks same as our CISS (Continuous Ink Supply System) taking both; functionallity as well as design in account.