Power on or off

[Mark_Martin]

Hi,

we are using HP DesignJet t1100 ploter every two weeks. So, would it be wise to leave it in stand by mode, off mode or unplugged?

It is not a question of power saving but it's a question of printheads longevity and ink consuming....

Any suggestion would be highly appreciated!

Best regards!

[skuks]

Hi

In standby printheads are purging from time to time to stay healthy.

If the printer remains off for a long period of time, the printheads may become unusable because of dried ink.  It's ink consuming but better than replacing printheads every month ...

[Mark_Martin]

Thank you!

is it the same with newer hp plotters too? 

Regards!

PS: ...I read a lot of times "If the printer remains off for a long period of time...."! What would be this long period of time? Is it one week, one month, couple of months?

[skuks]

If ink is not flowing - it's drying (if environment is hot - drying is faster) even in tubes, not only in printheads. That's why no one can tell exact period. Consider 1 month for a critical period but needs observation 🙂

Also you may observe spilled ink in maintenance area - how long it takes to dry... but once dried it's hard to make it flow again...

Water based inks are fast drying that's why printer are purging when in sleeping mode...

[Mark_Martin]

Thank you a lot!

I'll leave the priner in standby mode than.....and try to print even smaller paper formats (A4, A3) that I used to print on laser printer in order to keep it running....

[Mark_Martin]

Hi,

one more thing.

When in sleep mode (it's when I see red power button!) printers fan is still running and there's also the sound of hdd working!

Is this normal!? I thought, maybe, it will go in sleep mode and from time to time wake up to run maintanance!? I'm not sure if this is "healthy" for power supply!?

Regards!

[skuks]

In sleep mode printer isn't like laptop 🙂 it's normal to hear sounds from it - it's ment that way and not to worry. But if you hear strong metalic or like old air conditioner  souns - then you have to worry 🙂

[Mark_Martin]

Thank you!

Do you think printer is consuming more ink if powerd on and off every 2-3 days or when left in standby mode?

Regards!

[skuks]

Honestly you have to test it that way for 1 or 2 weks for example and observe ink usage after every checking  to get exact results...

I think less ink will be thrown when printer is off for a long time, but it's up to you to deside after all 🙂 

[Repairatrooper]

Leave it on in standby as this allows it to run periodic maintenance to maintain print quality. Yes it will use a little bit of ink but  alot less than having to run 2 or 3 printhhead cleanings.