Machine Storage While Under Repair

[MiRolandVP300]

I have a Roland VP-300 which is getting the main board refurbed. My question is this is not something that is instantaneous. While the machine has been being diagnosed, and while the board is being repaired the machine will have to be stored without being plugged in. How is the best way to store it?

 

[rjssigns]

Flush everything. There is a procedure using solvent cartridges. Can't remember the procedure but it should be outlined in the service manual.

 

[Joe House]

If you're using Roland inks in that model, I've had them sit for a couple of weeks torn apart and was able to recover the print heads 100% Longer than that and I would be sure to flush them out as RJ said.

 

[Sean@CedarHouse]

Use hose clamps to pinch off the cap top lines to the pumps so there is no fluid flow. Then fill the caps with flush to the top. Re home the print carriage and lock it in place. Don't take the ink cartridges out. That will cause back flow up the lines.

This will keep the heads moist. Check everything in a day or two to make sure the fluid hasn't drained out. If all is good then check once a week. Fill as needed.

Once the printer is back up and running, do cleans as needed to get things rolling again.

 

[MiRolandVP300]

Well I might be screwed. The previous owner did some tearing apart (removed panels, removed cartridges) and provided to me that way. The tubes leading to the heads are not full of ink. I have put cleaning solution in the head caps as if I am doing a head soak.

How long could I leave like this to at least make sure heads are moist?
Should I attach cartridges back? I imagine it wouldn't do much as the machine has no power so the pumps won't pull fluid.

Currently struggling to find a replacement board for this older machine. Hopefully I find one soon otherwise it seems like a lot of the other parts of the machine will be ruined.

 

[Sean@CedarHouse]

The only concern I have with the ink lines empty is having damper, manifold and head dry for the back side.

You can leave the heads in a soak state for a long time... how long? um... I don't know. But I've done it for a couple months before.

You can use cleaning cartridges instead of ink in the lines if the ink has been removed already. Just need some fluid in there.

 

[MiRolandVP300]

The only concern I have with the ink lines empty is having damper, manifold and head dry for the back side.

You can leave the heads in a soak state for a long time... how long? um... I don't know. But I've done it for a couple months before.

You can use cleaning cartridges instead of ink in the lines if the ink has been removed already. Just need some fluid in there.

Hopefully this doesn't take me months. But who knows.

If i get cleaning cartridges, how would it pull the fluid with no power?

 

[Sean@CedarHouse]

Do you have a farm supply store close by? I find baby animal feeding syringes to be the best because you can get larger ones. Something like a 12cc size or so.

Home the print carriage and remove the captop hose from the pump manifold. Use the syringe to draw ink through the line. It'll take some effort but it works.

Better yet, if you're comfortable, remove the hose from the damper and draw ink through that line bypassing the head all together. Once the fluid is through the line then do the above action to get it through the head as the last step.

The line into the dampers is plastic, so I use the hose from an old captop to connect to it.