Minolta DI551 printer - not dark enough on print

J

John Robertson

Guest
I was hoping there was someone here with experience on these
scanner/printers.

The basic symptom is the image does not go to black, rather it is a
blotchy dark grey. Used to do black just fine, then about a month ago it
changed to this off-black output.

The scanner function works fine - images have good grey scale up to
black so it is likely in the PC Unit or its controller.

There is ample toner (really, lots), and the toner feed appears to work
fine - plus there is no Toner error message.

The grid voltage is 740VDC - not sure if this is low or not, as even
thought the service manual says the value is marked there I can't find
it. Perhaps I should play with that, but reluctant to change settings on
this sort of thing - so I played with the density settings on function
25 - no improvement.

It would be nice if there was a Minolta forum somewhere...but haven't
found it (will look again after posting this) so far.

My photocopy folks are trying to sell me an OKI CX1145MFP for $1500
which sounds like a good deal, but I would rather not upgrade unless
this (DI551) is really toast.

Thanks in advance!

John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
 
John Robertson <spam@flippers.com> wrote in message
news:6MidndZlc-dJO5fTnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d@giganews.com...
I was hoping there was someone here with experience on these
scanner/printers.

The basic symptom is the image does not go to black, rather it is a
blotchy dark grey. Used to do black just fine, then about a month ago it
changed to this off-black output.

The scanner function works fine - images have good grey scale up to
black so it is likely in the PC Unit or its controller.

There is ample toner (really, lots), and the toner feed appears to work
fine - plus there is no Toner error message.

The grid voltage is 740VDC - not sure if this is low or not, as even
thought the service manual says the value is marked there I can't find
it. Perhaps I should play with that, but reluctant to change settings on
this sort of thing - so I played with the density settings on function
25 - no improvement.

It would be nice if there was a Minolta forum somewhere...but haven't
found it (will look again after posting this) so far.

My photocopy folks are trying to sell me an OKI CX1145MFP for $1500
which sounds like a good deal, but I would rather not upgrade unless
this (DI551) is really toast.

Thanks in advance!

John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
Click to expand...

Try a sheet through then invert it and pass through again. If a marked
improvement second time put the ream of paper in a very low oven for a few
hours
 
N_Cook wrote:
John Robertson <spam@flippers.com> wrote in message
news:6MidndZlc-dJO5fTnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d@giganews.com...
I was hoping there was someone here with experience on these
scanner/printers.

The basic symptom is the image does not go to black, rather it is a
blotchy dark grey. Used to do black just fine, then about a month ago it
changed to this off-black output.

The scanner function works fine - images have good grey scale up to
black so it is likely in the PC Unit or its controller.

There is ample toner (really, lots), and the toner feed appears to work
fine - plus there is no Toner error message.

The grid voltage is 740VDC - not sure if this is low or not, as even
thought the service manual says the value is marked there I can't find
it. Perhaps I should play with that, but reluctant to change settings on
this sort of thing - so I played with the density settings on function
25 - no improvement.

It would be nice if there was a Minolta forum somewhere...but haven't
found it (will look again after posting this) so far.

My photocopy folks are trying to sell me an OKI CX1145MFP for $1500
which sounds like a good deal, but I would rather not upgrade unless
this (DI551) is really toast.

Thanks in advance!

John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."


Try a sheet through then invert it and pass through again. If a marked
improvement second time put the ream of paper in a very low oven for a few
hours
Click to expand...
Humidity or damp paper is not the problem...plus the machine has three
stacks of different sized paper to draw on and all behave the same.

It is quite consistent in the print quality - grey instead of black. I'm
going to dig in the developer section next, I understand there is a gear
that gets stripped and may lead to this sort of result.

John :-#(#

--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
 
On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:09:58 +0000 (UTC), jerry <jhotemw@hotmail.com>
wrote:

From my days (15 years ago) as a copier repair dispatcher I would say
that you need to clean the corona wire. I have no idea whether your
modern printer even has a corona wire anymore, but if it does, then there
will usually be a little sliding button on the side of the toner/drum
cartridge. You slide that back and forth a few times to clean the wire.
Click to expand...
Copiers and laser printers haven't used corona wires for about 15
years. The problem is that the air gap and high voltage between the
corona wire and the drum would produce ozone, which is deemed
hazardous to humans and rubber parts in sufficient concentrations.
These daze, there is a "charge roller" inside the cartridge that
servers the same purpose (scrape off residual charge from the drum).

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
On Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:15:15 -0700, John Robertson <spam@flippers.com>
wrote:

I was hoping there was someone here with experience on these
scanner/printers.

The basic symptom is the image does not go to black, rather it is a
blotchy dark grey. Used to do black just fine, then about a month ago it
changed to this off-black output.

The scanner function works fine - images have good grey scale up to
black so it is likely in the PC Unit or its controller.

There is ample toner (really, lots), and the toner feed appears to work
fine - plus there is no Toner error message.

The grid voltage is 740VDC - not sure if this is low or not, as even
thought the service manual says the value is marked there I can't find
it. Perhaps I should play with that, but reluctant to change settings on
this sort of thing - so I played with the density settings on function
25 - no improvement.

It would be nice if there was a Minolta forum somewhere...but haven't
found it (will look again after posting this) so far.

My photocopy folks are trying to sell me an OKI CX1145MFP for $1500
which sounds like a good deal, but I would rather not upgrade unless
this (DI551) is really toast.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Thank you mentioning the model number. That's always helpful. It
would also helpful if you would do a better job of describing the
symtoms in terms of whether you're using it as a printer, copier, B&W
only, color copier, etc. For example, when you say that the scanner
function works fine, does that mean it works to an image on a computer
screen, or a printed paper image reproduced on copier?

The DI551 is a color copier. What do the other colors produce? Each
color has its own drum. If only black is printing badly, then look
around the black toner bin or drum for oddities. If all the colors
are printing equally dim, then I would suspect the high voltage power
supply is either misadjusted, or fried, since they all share the same
power supply. You might also check the optics. Crud or evaporated
volatiles splattered on the lenses or rotating prismatic mirror can
produce light output.

Also, having plenty of toner is quite different from having the toner
actually delivered to the drum. It doesn't take much to clog the feed
mechanism. You'll find plenty of toner in the reservoir, but because
the flow is obstructed, little of it makes it to the drum and printed
page. If you suspect this might be the problem (especially if ONLY
black is printing too lightly), then keep your fingers out of the
toner bin. The slightest amount of sweat or hand oil will cause the
toner to stick, clot, and eventually clog the mechanism. Rubber
gloves are a good idea, but you also don't want to be eating potatoe
chips while wearing them.

Another forum where you might get some more specific answers:
<http://www.copytechnet.com>

Good luck.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
 
On Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:15:15 -0700, John Robertson wrote:

I was hoping there was someone here with experience on these
scanner/printers.

The basic symptom is the image does not go to black, rather it is a
blotchy dark grey. Used to do black just fine, then about a month ago it
changed to this off-black output.

The scanner function works fine - images have good grey scale up to
black so it is likely in the PC Unit or its controller.

There is ample toner (really, lots), and the toner feed appears to work
fine - plus there is no Toner error message.

The grid voltage is 740VDC - not sure if this is low or not, as even
thought the service manual says the value is marked there I can't find
it. Perhaps I should play with that, but reluctant to change settings on
this sort of thing - so I played with the density settings on function
25 - no improvement.

It would be nice if there was a Minolta forum somewhere...but haven't
found it (will look again after posting this) so far.

My photocopy folks are trying to sell me an OKI CX1145MFP for $1500
which sounds like a good deal, but I would rather not upgrade unless
this (DI551) is really toast.

Thanks in advance!

John :-#)#
Click to expand...
From my days (15 years ago) as a copier repair dispatcher I would say
that you need to clean the corona wire. I have no idea whether your
modern printer even has a corona wire anymore, but if it does, then there
will usually be a little sliding button on the side of the toner/drum
cartridge. You slide that back and forth a few times to clean the wire.
Good luck!
 
John Robertson Inscribed thus:

N_Cook wrote:
John Robertson <spam@flippers.com> wrote in message
news:6MidndZlc-dJO5fTnZ2dnUVZ_vSdnZ2d@giganews.com...
I was hoping there was someone here with experience on these
scanner/printers.

The basic symptom is the image does not go to black, rather it is a
blotchy dark grey. Used to do black just fine, then about a month
ago it changed to this off-black output.

The scanner function works fine - images have good grey scale up to
black so it is likely in the PC Unit or its controller.

There is ample toner (really, lots), and the toner feed appears to
work fine - plus there is no Toner error message.

The grid voltage is 740VDC - not sure if this is low or not, as even
thought the service manual says the value is marked there I can't
find it. Perhaps I should play with that, but reluctant to change
settings on
this sort of thing - so I played with the density settings on
function
25 - no improvement.

It would be nice if there was a Minolta forum somewhere...but
haven't found it (will look again after posting this) so far.

My photocopy folks are trying to sell me an OKI CX1145MFP for $1500
which sounds like a good deal, but I would rather not upgrade unless
this (DI551) is really toast.

Thanks in advance!

John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."


Try a sheet through then invert it and pass through again. If a
marked
improvement second time put the ream of paper in a very low oven for
a few hours



Humidity or damp paper is not the problem...plus the machine has three
stacks of different sized paper to draw on and all behave the same.

It is quite consistent in the print quality - grey instead of black.
I'm going to dig in the developer section next, I understand there is
a gear that gets stripped and may lead to this sort of result.

John :-#(#
Click to expand...
Could be dirty corona wires !

--
Best Regards:
Baron.
 
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:15:15 -0700, John Robertson <spam@flippers.com
wrote:

I was hoping there was someone here with experience on these
scanner/printers.

The basic symptom is the image does not go to black, rather it is a
blotchy dark grey. Used to do black just fine, then about a month ago it
changed to this off-black output.

The scanner function works fine - images have good grey scale up to
black so it is likely in the PC Unit or its controller.

There is ample toner (really, lots), and the toner feed appears to work
fine - plus there is no Toner error message.

The grid voltage is 740VDC - not sure if this is low or not, as even
thought the service manual says the value is marked there I can't find
it. Perhaps I should play with that, but reluctant to change settings on
this sort of thing - so I played with the density settings on function
25 - no improvement.

It would be nice if there was a Minolta forum somewhere...but haven't
found it (will look again after posting this) so far.

My photocopy folks are trying to sell me an OKI CX1145MFP for $1500
which sounds like a good deal, but I would rather not upgrade unless
this (DI551) is really toast.

Thanks in advance!

Thank you mentioning the model number. That's always helpful. It
would also helpful if you would do a better job of describing the
symtoms in terms of whether you're using it as a printer, copier, B&W
only, color copier, etc. For example, when you say that the scanner
function works fine, does that mean it works to an image on a computer
screen, or a printed paper image reproduced on copier?
Click to expand...
The scan (B&W) has good density, and prints out just fine through
another of my printers.

The DI551 is a color copier. What do the other colors produce? Each
color has its own drum. If only black is printing badly, then look
around the black toner bin or drum for oddities. If all the colors
are printing equally dim, then I would suspect the high voltage power
supply is either misadjusted, or fried, since they all share the same
power supply. You might also check the optics. Crud or evaporated
volatiles splattered on the lenses or rotating prismatic mirror can
produce light output.
Click to expand...
Actually the Di551 is B&W only, no colours - if it was colour I'd be
more willing to sink some $$ into it.


Also, having plenty of toner is quite different from having the toner
actually delivered to the drum. It doesn't take much to clog the feed
mechanism. You'll find plenty of toner in the reservoir, but because
the flow is obstructed, little of it makes it to the drum and printed
page. If you suspect this might be the problem (especially if ONLY
black is printing too lightly), then keep your fingers out of the
toner bin. The slightest amount of sweat or hand oil will cause the
toner to stick, clot, and eventually clog the mechanism. Rubber
gloves are a good idea, but you also don't want to be eating potatoe
chips while wearing them.

Another forum where you might get some more specific answers:
http://www.copytechnet.com
Click to expand...
Joined them last night, but - see below.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Hi Jeff,

Turns out he machine hasn't had the 'kit' installed for perhaps 300K+
copies and so I can either sink $795 into an old B&W printer/copier or
get a much newer machine for $1500 that does colour and will even do
banners (up to 17" X 49").

I've decided to replace the machine...

Thanks for the suggestions though!

John :-#)#

--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
 
On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:45:51 -0700, John Robertson <spam@flippers.com>
wrote:

The scan (B&W) has good density, and prints out just fine through
another of my printers.
Click to expand...
How does it print on the DI551 when you use the *COPY* button?

Actually the Di551 is B&W only, no colours - if it was colour I'd be
more willing to sink some $$ into it.
Click to expand...
Sorry. I thought is was a color copier.

Turns out he machine hasn't had the 'kit' installed for perhaps 300K+
copies and so I can either sink $795 into an old B&W printer/copier or
get a much newer machine for $1500 that does colour and will even do
banners (up to 17" X 49").
Click to expand...
The $800 kit is probably a new drum, some rubber parts, a tech visit,
and LOTS of cleaning. Did you shop around for the rebuild kit? Here's
one for $390.
<http://www.gmsupplies.com/Konica_Minolta_Maintenance_Kit__56AA-PM25/detail_3190.aspx>
Here's one marginal kit for $175
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260807562475>
Several more found with Google around $300-$400.

Such copiers should run for well over 1 million copies. 300K pages is
not old. If the overpriced $800 kit is your only option, I agree with
getting the Oki printer. $1500 is cheap for color. You might want to
calculate your operating costs per page as a sanity check. I smell
something fishy, but I can't tell what is odd.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
 
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:45:51 -0700, John Robertson <spam@flippers.com
wrote:

The scan (B&W) has good density, and prints out just fine through
another of my printers.

How does it print on the DI551 when you use the *COPY* button?
Click to expand...
As I said, the print on the DI551 is poor quality, but the scan works fine.

Actually the Di551 is B&W only, no colours - if it was colour I'd be
more willing to sink some $$ into it.

Sorry. I thought is was a color copier.

Turns out he machine hasn't had the 'kit' installed for perhaps 300K+
copies and so I can either sink $795 into an old B&W printer/copier or
get a much newer machine for $1500 that does colour and will even do
banners (up to 17" X 49").

The $800 kit is probably a new drum, some rubber parts, a tech visit,
and LOTS of cleaning. Did you shop around for the rebuild kit? Here's
one for $390.
http://www.gmsupplies.com/Konica_Minolta_Maintenance_Kit__56AA-PM25/detail_3190.aspx
Here's one marginal kit for $175
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260807562475
Several more found with Google around $300-$400.

Such copiers should run for well over 1 million copies. 300K pages is
not old. If the overpriced $800 kit is your only option, I agree with
getting the Oki printer. $1500 is cheap for color. You might want to
calculate your operating costs per page as a sanity check. I smell
something fishy, but I can't tell what is odd.
Click to expand...
My printer had something like 1M5 copies over its' lifetime...one of the
main reasons to retire it after all.

John :-#)#

--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top