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Has anyone changed a head on a Versacamm SP300V
Hello Everybody,
Although I’ve not posted before, I joined the forum some months ago but never felt I had anything to contribute. I’ve been in the sign business over 20 years but mostly as an ‘add on’ to my joinery firm which made interpretative maps, noticeboards and signage that generally required some woodworking element. I tried to retire last October but have been inundated with so many "Can you just" that it’s hard to actually stop.
However, the reason for the post is to ask if anybody has had any experience of changing the head on a Versacamm SP300V. I bought the machine new 10 years ago and always had the Roland ‘Bronze care package’. That has now stopped and I’m led to believe that the tiny whiskers that show on anything printed black is the sure sign that I need a new head. I’ve cleaned the heads manually and it’s made no difference. I sent Roland the print test and they say it needs a new black head. The engineer who worked for Roland has quoted over £1000 for a new head. The machine which really ought to go – so that I can say "No" to requests – is otherwise in good condition and I’d hoped worth around £3k ish. However with the head needing replacing it’s only worth £1500 or thereabouts.
The big question then is how easy is it to fit a £383 head myself ? I’ve a reasonable skill at mending things and the ‘You Tube’ videos make it look straight forward. Digiprint are the firm offering the genuine Epson heads for £383, so I just wondered if anyone had had a go ?
Sorry to waffle but would be grateful for your thoughts. Thanks in anticipation, Harry
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15 Replies
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Changing the head is relatively straightforward but you do need an engineers manual in order to access the service menu and carry out calibration procedures on the newly installed head. While you’re at it you may as well change the manifold at the same time as this is a relatively inexpensive item and it saves you having to transfer it over from the old head and risk cracking it.
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Thanks Phill, good advice. I’ve seen a downloadable service manual on ebay for 99p. Worth a punt I’d say !
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Hi Harry
Done a few on my SP540i quite simple to do once you have the manual, the heads I got from Digiprint came with the manifolds but spare ones are only about £5 handy to have if you are going to service the machine yourself as they can break when changing dampers.
Remember to change the head rank number when you change the head (each head has its own rank number)
Youtube has all the answers.
Best of luck
Joe -
Hi Joe, even more good advice, thanks for that. Can’t wait to buy the bits !! Don’t you just love You Tube ?
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Hi Harry, I have the same problem.
I was even thinking of buying a new larger, faster printer.I’ve just bought the service manual of eBay.
Can you keep us all updated on your progress?
And any advice along the way….Looking forward to hearing your success story.
Philip
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Hi Philip,
Will do. I’ll probably wait until nearer the end on the month before I send for the bits though. The clip on You Tube is really very helpful and worth a look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME5_wd2LWQo Not sure if I’ve done the link correctly !
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Thanks Harry!
The only tricky bit for me will be the details of the new head that needs entered at the beginning.
LOl.Good luck with yours.
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OK, so where am I going wrong ? I can’t find spare ‘manifolds’ in either Digiprint Supplies or F H Union’s web sites !! Is it called something else ?
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It looks like the head comes complete with the manifold already fitted on the digiprints site:-
http://www.digiprint-supplies.com/en/ep … ategory=43 -
Hi Harry
They are under Connectors.
Part number PADEP10MAS
Digiprint supplies
Joe -
OK found it now. Just thought if was a bit fragile when changing heads, for the money, it was worth having a spare. It says it can be used to turn a water based print head into a solvent based head ? I’m confused. I need a solvent based head for my eco-sol inks don’t I ?
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Hi Harry
Your new print head will come with the manifold.
The reason I keep spare manifold is I had an engineer tell me a head was gone and he replaced it, I asked could he leave the old one and had a good look at it when I had time and seen a crack at the bottom of the tube the damper fits onto, so got a new manifold and when the next head went I tried the head with the new manifold and it worked perfect.
You are right the head you should get is a solvent one.Joe
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Thanks again Joe. Wished I’d known about that scenario before. I know the black head has been changed a number of times over the past 9 years with the Roland Service Deal but never thought to ask for the old ones. Hey ho.
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Well Harry, any luck with the head exchange?
Before I dive in…….. -
HI Philip,
Sorry for the delay in replying but now that I’m sort of retired my list of priorities seems to change daily and I’ve been ‘making do’ with machine as it is. I fully intend to replace the head, so if you’ve got any more pointers, please feel free to advise. Thanks.
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