Chapter 6

Maintenance

Cleaning the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Replacing the Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6-2

6-4

Transporting the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

Maintenance 6-1

Cleaning the Printer

To keep your printer operating at its best, you should clean it thoroughly several times a year. Follow the steps below:

1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the paper guide or the cut sheet feeder.

2. Using a soft brush, carefully remove all dust and dirt.

6-2 Maintenance

3. If the outer case or paper guide is dirty or dusty, clean it with a soft, clean cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution. Keep the printer cover in place to prevent water from getting inside the printer.

WARNINGS: l

Never use alcohols or thinners to clean the printer, since these chemicals can damage the components as well as the case.

l l l

Be careful not to get water on the printer mechanism or electronic components.

Do not use a hard or abrasive brush.

Do not spray the inside of the printer with lubricants; unsuitable oils can damage the mechanism. Contact your Epson dealer if you think lubrication is needed.

Maintenance 6-3

Replacing the Ribbon

Replace the ribbon when the printout becomes too faint. The #7753 standard ribbon cartridge or #7768 film ribbon cartridge are recommended for the LQ-510 printer. Do not use ribbons designed for nine-pin printers.

1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the printer cover.

6-4 Maintenance

2. Open the paper tension unit cover.

Replacing the Ribbon

3. To remove the ribbon cartridge, grip it by the black plastic tab and lift the cartridge straight up and out of the printer.

WARNING: If the printer has just been used, the print head may be hot. Let it cool before attempting to replace the ribbon.

Maintenance 6-5

Replacing the Ribbon

4.

Slide the print head to the middle of the printer.

5.

To remove slack in the new ribbon, turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow.

6-6 Maintenance

Replacing the Ribbon

6. Push the new ribbon cartridge firmly into position, making sure the plastic hooks fit into the slots, as shown below.

Note: Press lightly on both sides of the cartridge to make sure the hooks are properly inserted.

Maintenance 6-7

Replacing the Ribbon

7. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide while you turn the ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place. Be careful not to puncture the ribbon.

8. Slide the print head from side to side to make sure it moves smoothly. Also see that the ribbon is not twisted or creased.

6-8 Maintenance

9.

Close the paper tension unit cover.

Replacing the Ribbon

10. Insert the hooks on the printer cover unit into the printer, and then tilt the printer cover back into place.

Maintenance 6-9

Transporting the Printer

Before you transport your printer some distance, carefully repack it in the original box and packing materials according to the following instructions.

1. Make sure the printer is turned off. Then remove any installed options, as well as the paper guide and printer cover.

WARNING: Turn the printer off before unplugging the power cable from the AC outlet.

2. Unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet. Coil the cable and tie it; then disconnect the interface cable from the printer and the computer.

3. Remove the ribbon cartridge and platen knob.

4. Replace the packing materials and put the printer in its box.

6-10 Maintenance