well, actually,when using a bulk system is pretty easy, i print 24 hrs for 7 straight days for example,(300 mts x 1.6 witdht per day ,around 8, 830 hours each), i always keep bulksystem full.
Im using Inktec's 600ml per color (CCMMYYKK) so its 1,2 liters per color while using dual slot.
If you have top print several jobs in same roll, this wont help but if you need to print just 1 job it worked for me.
Talking about the damn chips, when you start printing, just take the chip out,(if able to) from the catridge that is beeing used. and jv33 wont realize this until it stops(cleaning procedure, new jobs,etc). so, if you can make your production stopless, you just dont need chips no more, also, this will increase your printing hours in case the chip is not at 100%.
For example:
You need to print 1 job(1file).
You have a bulk system with this config :
CCMMYYKK
You only have 1 100% cyan chip. You can put this chip in the first Cyan catridge so machine can start working, take it out, (DONT STOP BEYOND THIS POINT, IF NEEDED TO CONNECT A PICK UP(MOST PROBABLY), LEAVE THE CHIP UNTIL PICK UP IS WORKING). and then put it in the other.. so you can have 200% "chip ink" of cyan, with only 1 100% chip..
Any questions just ask.