Question: I recently installed a waterproof print head kit on my Epson ET-8550 and also use a CISS kit. After reassembling, the printer won’t print ink, despite cleaning the dampers and attempting power cleans. What can I do to get the ink flowing again?

Answer: Thank you for reaching out, and we at BCH Technologies appreciate your involvement and support, especially concerning our YouTube channel. Your engagement is essential for enhancing our technical expertise.

Dealing with the Epson ET-8550, especially after installing upgrades like a CISS or a waterproof print head kit, can be challenging. The ET-8550's damper differs from others due to its larger ink reservoir, which can complicate things when empty. Normally, the printer's initiation function should refill the damper upon startup. However, this function only triggers upon installation, not during subsequent startups.

If the damper reservoir is empty and the initiation function won’t trigger, here's a manual method you can try, assuming your print head isn’t clogged: Park the print head at the capping station to ensure it's sealed by the rubber surroundings. Then, at the waste tube, gently draw air using a syringe. This action should pull ink through the nozzle, filling up the dampers. Alternatively, filling the damper directly through its ink intake with a syringe filled with ink is possible but more invasive and not generally recommended.

Moreover, I strongly recommend joining two Facebook groups that could further assist you in your DTF conversion journey:

• Transparent DTF (DTF Printing) XP-15000 Expert Support Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429627040804979). Despite its name, this group hosts a wealth of discussions not just about XP-15000, but also ET-8550 and ET-15000 printers. Their 'Featured' section is packed with insightful content on DTF conversion, cartridge modification, and much more.
• DTF And Crafting with IronDesigns813 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftingwithirondesigns813). Though smaller in size, this group's owner, Veronica Hernandez, is dedicated to solving technical issues. Its members use a range of printers, including the XP-15000, ET-15000, and ET-8550. Veronica also runs a helpful YouTube channel which I recommend subscribing to for additional guidance.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For instance, resolving a simple clog might involve advice on unclogging procedures. However, if the printer remained inactive during downtime, a comprehensive service for the ink system could be necessary. Situations like a "paper jam" can arise from hundreds of potential causes, and solving such an issue has become something of an in-office jest. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off or mail it to us. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed if you opt for mail-in or local drop-off services. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage. Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for your question and continued support. We’re here to help you make the most of your printing equipment.