HP 5500 - Converting to UV and Media Questiosn

[rdm01]

Hey there 5500 experts, a few questions.

We have a 5500 dye, and a 5500 UV. The UV is currently down, and has been so for over a year (the printer isn't recognizing the print heads, even when replacing brand new ones).

The dye is starting to act up and it has me thinking, what would it take to convert the dye to UV, and is it an operation that one could manage to take on without having a tech come out. Has anybody done this. I have done some pretty technical stuff with solvent printers, just never touched this one.

Also, our clients love the HP PhotoSatin, but we are finding it hard to come by. We have had two vendors that regularly give us good pricing, but sometimes we will go to order a few rolls of the 50" and they can't get it in for weeks. Anyone know of a good place to buy, or perhaps a good alternative to the instant dry photo satin? Thanks!

 

[Billct2]

Converting to UV involves switching the ink tube assembly, installing UV ink and print heads (if they don't come with the ink tubes). It's a fairly simple process. There's a vendor here, Bigfish, who may be able to help with the media

 

[Bly]

You need the different inkset tube set, heads and ink.
It's a DIY job and takes about 45 minutes.

 

[BigfishDM]

Yeah you need a conversion kit with lines inks and heads, I can get all that for ya no problem. I also carry every type of media including 2 mil cast air release car wrap vinyl for inkjet machines like the 5500.

 

[knucklehead]

Thanks, I was just fixin' to ask the same dye, to UV question. And does each color have its own head?

 

[BigfishDM]

Thanks, I was just fixin' to ask the same dye, to UV question. And does each color have its own head?

Yes each color has its own head

 

[CS-SignSupply-TT]

@BigfishDM Thanks Josh, I was hoping you would chime in. @knucklehead CS Sign Supply can help you with the conversion.

 

[knucklehead]

Thanks Tim. I'm not but about forty miles from ya'll.

 

[CS-SignSupply-TT]

HP5500 conversion

Thanks Tim. I'm not but about forty miles from ya'll.

Just give me a holler when you want to discuss the steps.

 

[Billct2]

you can buy the real manual for this machine on ebay, downloadable. It has good step by step instructions.