Epson Stylus Photo PX730WD Installation guide

KB / FAQ
Epson PX700 - PX730WD
Note: This guide also covers the following Epson printer models:
PX700W, PX710W, PX720WD, PX730WD
PX800FW, PX810FW, PX820FWD, PX830FWD
TX700, TX710W, TX720WD
TX800FW, TX810FW, TX820FWD
Artisan 700, 710, 725, 735
Artisan 800, 810, 835, 837
This guide is primarily aimed at OctoInkjet customers who have purchased a Solo-X waste kit (released May
2011) although customers with the earlier Solo+ can still apply some of the steps to their kit (but without a
part to act as the strain relief).
Note: This guide is copyright of OctoInkjet. It required 12 hours, the purchase of three printers (to check it
was all correct) and hard work to produce.
Please, if you see my work reproduced elsewhere, please report it to me, eBay (if provided by one of the
sellers there) or the appropriate authority so it can be removed. Competitors do not do the hard work, barely
understand the product and will not provide this level of documentation or support themselves so please do
not reward them by buying their kits.
OK... here are the step by step instructions fitting a Solo-X waste kit to a compatible printer.
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Identify the Waste Pad Holder The waste pad in a PX700 is
located above the metal plate you can see in the base of the
printer (left).
Remove Retaining Screw & Release Clip/Tab To release
the waste pad holder, you need to remove the screw
(indicated left)... ..then gently push in the retaining tab using a
flat head screwdriver.
Note: Don't push in too far or hard as the tab is fragile and
can easily snap off. The location of the tab, and the hole to
access it, is shown in the picture (indicated left/below)
Normally the waste pad holder will drop down once the
retaining tab has released but if it needs any additional
encouragement, gently prise the holder down, as shown in
the image left. The holder should then drop down as shown in
the second image (left, below)
Release the Waste Tube As you remove the pad holder you
will normally find the tube pulls itself out of the grey plastic
box retainer that holds the open end in position. If not, gently
pull it out yourself. Tip: The correct end of the tube is the end
connected to the waste pads.
The Solo-X Tube Part (quick intro') The Solo-X tube part
consists of two sections A shorter internal section with two
tube connectors A longer external section with an open end,
clamp and green connector to hook it up to the waste tank.
You will need to take the two sections apart, ensuring the
shorter internal piece retains both the tube connectors.
Solo-X Internal tube section As noted above, the internal
tube section has two connectors, one at either end. It is
important to note that one connector is slightly larger than the
other. The larger sized connector will join with the printers
own waste tube The smaller sized connector will join with the
external Solo-X tubing section
(Note: don't join them yet - you'll see why later)
Connect Solo-X Inner Tube Section With Printer Waste
Tube Having identified the correct end to use, join the inner
tube section with the printers own waste tube as shown in the
two images left and below.
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Modifying the Case (not required) In order to get the tube
out of the printer you can either, allow the tubing to drop out
of, the open area and underneath the back of the printer or
widen the screw hole (the one you removed the screw from to
release the waste pad holder). If your printer is out of
warranty, I would recommend widening the hole to benefit
from the extra safety factor this Waste kit provides. The hole
needs to be widened to 4.5mm wide (as indicated in the
image, left)
Install the External Tube Part & Re-connect With the screw
hole widened you should now be able to insert the external
section of the Solo-X tube part and connect it to the internal
part as shown in the two images left and below.
Tubing connected... and an Explanation Now that you
have the tubing all connected you can gently pull the whole
extension back out until the connector joining the two
sections reaches the screw hole. The reason the connector is
there at all is to act as a safety strain relief. It provides a solid
stop point for the tubing so that the inner waste tube
(particularly the printers original waste tube) does not suffer
from an accidental pull, that could damage the whole waste
ink cleaning system. Only the outer tube part will be stretched
or yanked.
Install the Tube Guide The kit also comes with a tube guide
which you can use to ensure the Solo-X tube part does not
hang around or potentially catch in any of the gears exposed
within the Waste Pad area. The guide has two sticky pads
which you remove the backing paper from and then press into
position. It's best to put the guide on the tube, check position,
etc.. before removing the backing paper though. Note: To
ensure a good firm adhesion to the plastic, it's a good idea to
clean the area you intend to attach the guide using something
that doesn't leave a residue behind. Isopropyl Alcohol is best
but even a bit of tissue to remove any oils from your
hands/fingers is better than nothing.
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Finished With the tube guide installed you just need to put
the printer back in it's normal place and make sure the tank is
firmly connected, and the tube clamp open. It's also a good
idea to make sure there are not folds or kinks in the tubing so
that ink will be able to flow to the tank. Note: Unless you have
the technical knowledge to do so, do NOT reinstall the
original waste tray and pads as this will crimp the tubing and
stop waste ink flowing. It is possible to modify the tray to
allow for the tube but not necessary IMPORTANT: The
PX700 (and related printers) do have a secondary waste tube
that is rarely used. However to ensure you do not get caught
out, it is vitally important that you place your printer on some
form of lipped tray or protected surface. I would also
recommend placing some absorbant material (such as folded
kitchen towel/paper-roll) in the area under the exposed area
to catch any ink that might be expelled here. As I've pointed
out, this additional waste tube appears to rarely be used but if
you find your printer is affected please contact me as I have a
custom part that will take over. It is however, VERY fiddly to
install.
Resetting the Waste Ink Counter
The oldest PX/Artisan/TX models can be reset using an Adjustment utility for the TX700W / TX800FW.
If you are in North America there is also an IPR tool released by Epson for the older models but many
customers there have reported that it won't work after one reset (if at all).
The only option for the 710/725/810/835 models is the WICReset utility which requires the purchase of a
WICReset key to complete the reset.
Important:
Whichever utility you use you must be connected to your printer using a USB cable. None of the reset utilities
will work over a network connection
Remember: The most up to date information on reset utilities is available via the QuickFind tool.
https://www.octoink.co.uk/kb/questions/108/
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