Epson B 500DN User Manual

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2. Remove the duplex unit by pulling it while holding down the buttons on both sides of the 
duplex unit.
3. Attach the upper rear printer cover.
 
						

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Chapter 7 
Replacing Consumables
Ink Cartridges
Checking the Ink Cartridge Status
Using the Control Panel (B-500DN)
To check the ink cartridge status, see “Icons on the LCD” on page 106.
Using the Printer Lights (B-300)
To check the ink cartridge status, see the BInk status light for each color. The BInk status 
lights let you know the status of the ink cartridge.
Using the Printer Utility for Windows
Note:
Epson cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-genuine ink. If non-genuine ink cartridges 
are installed, the ink cartridge status will not be displayed.
To check the ink cartridge status, do one of the following:
❏Double-click the printer shortcut icon on your Windows taskbar. To add a shortcut icon 
to the taskbar, refer to the following section.
&See “From the Shortcut Icon on the Taskbar” on page 15.
Ink status light Status
Off The ink cartridge has enough ink for printing.
Flashing The ink cartridge is nearly expended.
On The ink cartridge is expended.
 
						

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❏Open the printer driver, click the Maintenance tab, then click the EPSON Status 
Monitor 3 button.
A graphic displays the ink cartridge status.
Note:
If any of the ink cartridges installed in the printer is broken, incompatible with the printer model, 
or improperly installed, EPSON Status Monitor 3 will not display an accurate calculation of the 
ink cartridge status. Be sure to replace or reinstall any ink cartridges indicated by EPSON 
Status Monitor 3.
❏The progress meter appears automatically when you start a print job. Click the Check 
Ink Levels button, and then you can check the ink cartridge status from this window.
 
						

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Note:
To display the progress meter automatically, click the Maintenance tab in the printer driver 
window, click Speed & Progress, and then select the Show Progress Meter check box.
 
						

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Using the Printer Utility for Mac OS X
Note for Mac OS X 10.5:
When an ink cartridge is running low, the Low Ink Reminder window automatically appears. You 
can also check the ink cartridge status from this window. If you do not want to display this window, 
select the Preferences menu from the Application menu when the Low Ink Reminder window is 
displayed, and then clear the Enable Low Ink Reminder check box.
You can check the ink cartridge status using EPSON StatusMonitor. Follow the steps 
below.
1. Access the EPSON Printer Utility3 dialog.
&See “Accessing the Printer Driver for Mac OS X” on page 15.
2. Click the EPSON StatusMonitor button. The EPSON StatusMonitor appears.
Note:
❏The graphic displays the ink cartridge status when EPSON StatusMonitor was first opened. To 
update the ink cartridge status, click Update.
❏Epson cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-genuine ink. If non-genuine ink 
cartridges are installed, the ink cartridge status may not be displayed.
 
						

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❏If any of the ink cartridges installed in the printer is broken, incompatible with the printer model, 
or improperly installed, EPSON StatusMonitor will not display an accurate status of the ink 
cartridge. Be sure to replace or reinstall any ink cartridge indicated by the EPSON 
StatusMonitor.
Note for Mac OS X 10.5:
The printer monitor window appears automatically when you start a print job. You can check the ink 
cartridge status from this window.
Purchasing Epson Cartridges
You can purchase genuine Epson ink and paper at Epson Supplies Central at 
www.epson.com/ink3 (U.S. sales) or www.epson.ca (Canadian sales). You can also 
purchase supplies from an Epson authorized reseller. To find the nearest one, call 
800-GO-EPSON (800-463-7766).
Purchase genuine Epson Cartridges and use them within six months of installing them and 
before the expiration date on the cartridge box. When you purchase new ink, use the 
following Epson ink cartridge numbers:
Note:
❏We recommend that you use genuine Epson cartridges and do not refill them. The use of other 
products may affect your print quality and could result in printer damage.
❏The printer ships with full cartridges and part of the ink from this first set of cartridges is used for 
charging the printer.
❏Yields vary considerably based on images printed, print settings, paper type, frequency of use 
and temperature. For print quality, a small amount of ink remains in the cartridge after the 
replace cartridge indicator comes on.
❏Store ink cartridges in a cool, dark place. If cartridges have been exposed to cold temperatures, 
allow them to warm up to room temperature for at least 3 hours before using them.
Handling Precautions
Read all of the instructions in this section before replacing the ink cartridges.
Ink color Standard 
capacityHigh Capacity (B-500DN 
only)Extra High Capacity (B-500DN 
only)
Black T6161 T6171 T6181
Cyan T6162 T6172 —
Magenta T6163 T6173 —
Yellow T6164 T6174 —
 
						

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❏This printer uses ink cartridges equipped with an IC chip that monitors the amount of ink 
used by each cartridge. Cartridges are usable even if they are removed and reinserted.
❏If you need to remove an ink cartridge temporarily, be sure to protect the ink supply 
area from dirt and dust. Store the ink cartridge in the same environment as the printer. 
When storing the cartridge, be sure that its label identifying the color of the ink cartridge 
is facing upward. Do not store ink cartridges upside down.
❏The valve in the ink supply port is designed to contain any excess ink that may be 
released. However, careful handling is recommended. Do not touch the supply port of 
the ink cartridge or its surrounding area.
❏Ink is consumed during the following operations: print head cleaning, initial ink 
charging, and nozzle maintaining.
❏Never turn off the printer during initial ink charging. The ink may fail to be filled up and 
the printer may become unavailable to print.
❏If you change the ink cartridge to Extra High Capacity Ink Cartridge, retain the default 
ink cartridge or Standard Capacity Ink Cartridge, or High Capacity Ink Cartridge. One of 
these cartridges is needed when you transport the printer.
❏The use of other products not manufactured by Epson may affect your print quality and 
could result in printer damage that is not covered by Epson’s warranties.
❏Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. Do not allow children to drink the ink or 
handle the cartridges.
❏Be careful when you handle used ink cartridges, as there may be some ink around the 
ink supply port or surrounding area. If ink gets on your skin, wash the area thoroughly 
with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water. If 
discomfort or vision problems continue after a thorough flushing, see a doctor 
immediately.
❏We recommend that you use genuine Epson cartridges and do not refill them. The use 
of other products may affect your print quality and could result in printer damage. Epson 
cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-genuine ink. The ink cartridge status is 
not displayed when non-genuine ink is used.
❏Leave the old cartridge installed in the printer until you have obtained a replacement; 
otherwise, ink remaining in the print head nozzles may dry out.
❏You cannot continue printing with one ink cartridge expended, even if the other 
cartridges still contain ink. Before printing, replace the expended cartridge.
❏Never turn off the printer while replacing the ink cartridge. Doing so may damage the IC 
chip on the ink cartridge and the printer may not print properly.
 
						

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Replacing an Ink Cartridge
To replace the ink cartridge, follow the steps below.
1. Open the cartridge cover.
2. Move the cartridge lever to the unlocked position.
3. Remove the expended ink cartridge.
Note:
Hold the printer with your hand when you remove the ink cartridge.
 
						

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4. Remove the new ink cartridge from the package.
c
Caution:
❏Do not touch the green IC chip on the side of the cartridge. This can damage the ink 
cartridge.
❏Always install an ink cartridge immediately after removing the old cartridge. If the 
cartridge is not installed promptly, the print head may dry out and be unable to print.
5. For best results, shake the ink cartridge for about five seconds.
 
						

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6. Hold the ink cartridge with the arrow mark facing up and pointing to the rear of the 
printer, and then insert it into the slot.
Note:
Hold the printer with your hand when you install the ink cartridge.
c
Caution:
Do not remove and reinsert cartridges more often than necessary. Doing so can 
compromise the needle valve seal and allow air to enter the ink tubes, causing nozzle 
loss.
7. Move the cartridge lever to the locked position.