Theory
The ink in this cartridge is retained because the cartridge has an internal sponge. However, the sponge only fills the lower half of the cartridge. The upper half is an open ink reservoir.
This cartridge does not have a printhead -- only an ink reservoir.
There are now two types of these cartridges on the market. The original cartridge (Figure 1) and the new style cartridge (Figure 2).
Modifying the Cartridge:
STEP 1
1. It is recommended that you refill your cartridge over the sink for easy clean up of any over spill.
2. Remove the label from your cartridge.
3. Locate the round indentation(s) on the top of the cartridge. (as shown in diagrams)
4. Using a 1/16 inch drill bit, drill a hole through the center of the
indentation if your cartridge looks like the one in FIGURE 1.
-OR-
Push plastic or steel ball into the cartridge if you have the new cartridges. FIGURE 2.
Using the a small screwdriver (or pen), push the plastic or steel ball into the cartridge. This will not effect the cartridge's performance. Place a small piece of tape over the ink exit hole.
5. You are now ready to inject the ink.
Refilling Black or Color Cartridges
1. Attach the needle to the syringe and fill with the correct color ink.
2. Inject approximately 5 cc of ink slowly into the filling hole until the chamber is almost full. Approximately 12cc of ink for the High Capacity Black cartridge.
DO NOT fill the cartridge right to the top leave a little air space.
Unused ink may be returned to the bottle.
3. Seal the hole with hot glue, hot wax, silicone rubber. You need to get a good air-tight seal or you will develop a leak. You also need to get the seal flush with the surface.
4. Remove tape from exit hole.
5. Set the cartridge on a paper towel for an hour as a drip precaution. Expect a few drips -- the ink must drip for the sponge to be full.
6. Replace the cartridge and run 1 cleaning cycle as per printer instructions.
Additional Note: In some cases the sponge is deteriorated and it cannot hold the ink which will cause ink to leak out the outlet hole. If this happens an alternate method of refilling is to drip ink on to the sponge until it is soaked. (Your total page output will be less than a complete fill.)
IMPORTANT:
MAKE SURE THAT THE SEAL HOLE IS AIRTIGHT, OR ELSE THE INK WILL LEAK INTO YOUR PRINTER. YOU CAN CUT SOME ALUMINUM TAPE AND PUT IT OVER THE HOLE AND RUB WITH YOUR FINGER TO GET IT AIRTIGHT.
If it Leaks
The most likely problem is that the seal over the fill hole is not air-tight.
Check this seal. Also check for small cracks in the plastic.
If it Won't Print
The most likly cause is an air bubble trapped in the sponge, or between
the sponge and the printhead. Remove the air bubble and you'll probably
fix the problem.
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