2 Apr
2019
2 Apr
'19
5:28 p.m.
Hello Guy,
Or the drum isn't getting charged in the first
place, before light
exposure then toner dusting.
A way to check this: while the machine is in mid-copy, cut the power
then open it up and look at the drum.
Is there a toner image adhered to the drum section between where the
surface is image-exposed then dusted, and where it rolls against the
paper?
As I alluded to in my OP I did do this test. When I looked at the drum after
I start getting normal prints there is an image. However, at Grant's
suggestion I also looked at it when the printer was first turned on. At this
point there is very minimal toner adhering to the drum. As I print more and
more an appropriate amount of toner seems to adhere to the drum explaining
the improving picture. What I am trying to determine is now if this is a
problem with a component in the cartridge (drum, corona wire, etc.) or is it
with the HV supply board.
Btw, if the fuser roller isn't heated enough, the
symptom is that the
paper comes out with a normal image, except
the toner wipes off with finger swipe. Since it's just sitting on the
paper not stuck to it.
It is definitely not doing that. The toner is stuck on nice and tight - once
it eventually gets there.
Old toner cartridges should be given a strong end-to-end shaking before
being put into use. Toner can settle in
lumps and block the path to the duster.
I have done this multiple times. However, the problem reappears.
While you have the machine apart, always clean all the
optical path
lens surfaces. Dust greatly reduces the print contrast. And because
most machines use fan-blown air, dust gets everywhere that isn't
absolutely airtight sealed.
I have done that as well. However, given that the quality improves with
repeated printing and then falls back to none after 5 to 10 minutes of
cooling I don't think dust is an issue.
One other tip that might be useful. Very commonly with
old photocopiers
and laser printers the rubber pick-up and paper feed rollers lose their
'tack' and slip on the paper. I found that briefly soaking them in
teatree oil restores the 'tack' quite well. It soaks in and seems to
have the right spread of rubber-soluble oils to keep the surface a
little tacky.
Anyone else found other solvent/oils with similar effect?
I have never tried the oil/solvent trick. However, I did replace all the
rollers on this printer due to a paper jam issue so I don't think that is
the problem.
Thanks for the input and the suggestions.
-Ali
-Ali