Review: Inside The HP 22 C9352A Ink Cartridge (Cracked Open)

A Look Inside The HP 22 Tri-Color Ink Cartridge

We cracked it open and looked around.

HP 22 Color Ink Cartridge (Retail Price):

Inside the HP 22 c9352a ink cartridge:

We tried a different bit with this cartridge, and it got pretty mangled – lid is a little easier to get off than the condition of the cartridge indicates.

Specifications:

• Color : Tri-Color (all three (3) colors are in the same cartridge)
• Part Number : c9352wn – HP 22+
• Ink Type : Dye based ink
• Page Yield : 165 pages*
• Storage temperature : 59 to 95° F
• Estimated Ink Volume : 5ml
• Retail Price : $14.99
• Street Price : $14.49

*that 220 page estimate is from HP and based on 5% coverage (see what 5% coverage looks like) – printer manufacturer estimates are not very realistic in our experience.

+often paired with HP tri-color (color) cartridge HP 21 C9351wn

Cartridge specifications here on HP’s website.

Page yield info here  – (had to dig)

Used in these printers:

• HP Deskjet 3910/3920 Printer series
• HP Deskjet 3930/3940 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D1300 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D1360 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D1400 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D1500 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D2300 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D2360 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D2400 Printer series
• HP Deskjet F2100 Printer series
• HP Deskjet F300 Printer series
• HP Deskjet F380 Printer series
• HP Deskjet F4100 Printer series
• HP Deskjet F2200 All-in-One series
• HP Officejet 4300 All-in-One series
• HP Officejet 5600 All-in-One series
• HP PSC 1400 All-in-One series

Cracked open – a look inside the HP 22 c9352a cartridge:

It looks like the HP 22 c9352a tri-color (color)  ink cartridge is completely full, but looks are deceiving in this case.  The HP 22 cartridge contains a measly 5ml of ink and is rated at 165 pages (figure half that).  The (beige) sponges contain the individual color inks (magenta, yellow, cyan) – puncture holes indicate where the cartridge was injected with ink.  Re-fillers should aim for these spots when refilling (see below).

The cartridge looks like it will take more ink (it will), but unfortunately the cartridge is programmed as a 22 low capacity cartridge so the cartridge will think it is out of ink at the 22 levels (5ml) of ink.

HP also markets a 22XL cartridge for the Deskjet D1500, and F2200 inkjet printers.  It is a full version of this exact cartridge. HP 22XL Tri-color Inkjet Print Cartridge (C9352C), rated at 415 pages.

Contact! – Contact!

These solder points, or contacts help make up the print head.  Printers that use these types of cartridges do not have an internal print head – rather the print head is located on the cartridges themselves.  If print quality declines to the point where the cartridge is no longer usable, simply try another cartridge (it’s like getting a new printer).  If your cartridge cannot be recognized, give the contacts a quick clean with a damp cloth, or other device and try again.  If the contacts are harmed, the cartridge may not function at all.

Refilling?

If refilling this cartridge, here is a picture of the top, with HP 92 sticker removed.  Notice the 4 “phantom” holes.  Refill in top hole – where sponge is located, the other part of the cartridge is empty space.

The HP 22 Print Head:

When in use, the print head on the HP 92 cartridge is cleaner.  Many refill attempts are foiled by a dirty or clogged print head.  When refilling cartridges, they should be refilled right before the ink is depleted, or immediately after they run out of ink.  The longer a cartridge sites, the more likely that ink will dry inside the print head and cause clogging.  If your print head becomes clogged, use a wet paper towel and gently clean off the print head surface.

This photo turned out great - can almost see the holes where the ink exits the cartridge. HP 22 c9352a color (tri-color) ink cartridge.

Conclusion:

As you can see from the above pictures, the HP 22 tri-color (color)  inkjet printer cartridge does not contain very much ink.  If printing more than 100 – 200 pages per quarter, it would be wise to avoid printers that use this cartridge.  Hewlett Packard tries to trick their own customers with a deceptively low cartridge price ($19.99) without also mentioning that more than half the cartridge is empty.  This cartridge contains a measly 5ml of ink, and will run out quickly – there are better options out there.  What is sad is that this cartridge could take a bunch more ink, but the electronics doom this cartridge to 5ml of ink performance.

If you are stuck with using this cartridge – look here for the best pricing.

Review: Inside the HP 93 C9361WN Ink Cartridge

A look inside the HP 93 tri-color (color) inkjet printer cartridge

We crack one open and have a look around.

HP 93 c9361wn retail price:

Inside the HP 93 c9361wn ink cartridge:

HP 93 tri-color (color) ink cartridge with lid on (c9361w)

Specifications:

• Color : Tri-Color (all 3 colors in one cartridge)
• Part Number : c9361wn – HP 93+
• Ink Type : Pigment ink
• Page Yield : 220 pages*
• Storage temperature : 59 to 95° F
• Estimated Ink Volume : 5ml
• Retail Price : $14.99
• Street Price : $14.49

*that 220 page estimate is from HP and based on 5% coverage (see what 5% coverage looks like) – printer manufacturer estimates are not very realistic in our experience – figure about half that for everyday printing.

+often paired with HP black cartridge HP 92 C9362wn

Cartridge specifications here on HP’s website.

Page yield info here  – (had to dig)

Used in these printers:

• HP Deskjet 5440 Printer series
• HP Deskjet 6500 Printer series
• HP Deskjet 6940/6980 Printer series
• HP Deskjet 6988 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D4100 Printer series
• HP Officejet 6300 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart 7800 Printer series
• HP Photosmart D5060 Printer series
• HP Photosmart D5100 Printer series
• HP Photosmart 2570 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart C3100 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart C4100 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart Pro B8350 Printer series
• HP PSC 1500 All-in-One series

HP 93 c9361w tri-color (color) ink cartridge – “cracked open.”

The HP 93 tri-color, or color, inkjet printer cartridge.  This cartridge has three (3) different chambers for cyan, magenta, and yellow inks.  Can be easily refilled once or twice, and maybe more (your mileage will vary), however compatibles and re-manufactured cartridges can be found – the issue is finding a good quality compatible or re-manufactured cartridge.

The top is glued on very tightly…

We used a dremel to get it off – there could could be an easier way.  If simply refilling the cartridge, there is no reason to crack open the physical cartridge – there are holes in the lid, which are covered by the cartridge label.  Looks like yellow in the top, magenta to the left, and cyan to the right.

Pay a discount price, get a half full cartridge…

Three shrunken chambers within chambers with matching tiny sponges.  Hewlett Packard (HP) really sticks it to customers with this cartridge.  Cannot ever be completely “full” due to smaller sponges, and chambers within chambers.

What about refilling?

Sure, or you can buy replacement carts for $10-$20 depending on your model.  Generics are cheap, but if you want really cheap, think about getting rid of the printer and upgrading to a CIS friendly printer from Epson.

Contact! – Contact!

These solder points, or contacts help make up the print head – cannot be reset without additional hardware.  Printers that use these types of cartridges do not have an internal print head – rather the print head is located on the cartridges themselves.  If print quality declines to the point where the cartridge is no longer usable, simply try another cartridge (it’s like getting a new printer).  If your cartridge cannot be recognized, try cleaning the contacts with a damp q-tip before tossing the cartridge – it may take a few attempts, so try 2-3 cleanings.

If any of the contacts become dirty or damaged, the cartridge will simply not function.

The Print Head:

The print head on the HP 93 tri-color ink cartridge.  Notice the three (3) individual nozzle trails.

This photo turned out great - can almost see the holes where the ink exits the cartridge. HP 93 c9361wn ink cartridge.

If your print head gets clogged (no matter the cartridge type), remember to try and dab the cartridge on a damp paper towel to soften up the possibly dried ink.  Let it sit for a few minutes before putting back in printer.  The longer a printer sits without usage, the more likely there will be a clog.

Conclusion:

As you can see from the above pictures, the HP 93 tri-color (color)  inkjet printer cartridge does not contain very much ink.  If printing more than 100 – 200 pages per quarter, it would be wise to avoid printers that use this cartridge.  Hewlett Packard tries to trick their own customers with a deceptively low cartridge price ($23.99) without also mentioning that more than half the cartridge is empty.  This cartridge contains a measly 5ml of ink, and will run out quickly – there are better options out there.

If you are stuck with using this cartridge – look here for the best pricing.

Review – Inside The HP 92 C9362WN Ink Cartridge (Cracked Open)

A Look Inside The HP 92 Black Inkjet Printer Cartridge

We crack one open and have a look around.

HP 92 c9362wn retail price:

Retail price for the HP 92 c9362wn Hewlett Packard inkjet printer cartridge.

Inside the HP 92 c9362wn ink cartridge:

Specifications:

• Color : Black
• Part Number : c9362wn – HP 92+
• Ink Type : Pigment ink
• Page Yield : 220 pages*
• Storage temperature : 59 to 95° F
• Estimated Ink Volume : 5ml
• Retail Price : $14.99
• Street Price : $14.49

*that 220 page estimate is from HP and based on 5% coverage (see what 5% coverage looks like) – printer manufacturer estimates are not very realistic in our experience.

+often paired with HP tri-color (color) cartridge HP 93 C9361wn

Cartridge specifications here on HP’s website.

Page yield info here  – (had to dig)

Used in these printers:

• HP Deskjet 5440 Printer series
• HP Deskjet 6500 Printer series
• HP Deskjet 6940/6980 Printer series
• HP Deskjet 6988 Printer series
• HP Deskjet D4100 Printer series
• HP Officejet 6300 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart 7800 Printer series
• HP Photosmart D5060 Printer series
• HP Photosmart D5100 Printer series
• HP Photosmart 2570 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart C3100 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart C4100 All-in-One series
• HP Photosmart Pro B8350 Printer series
• HP PSC 1500 All-in-One series

Cracked open – a look inside the HP 92 c9362wn cartridge:

About 60% of the HP 92 c9362w black ink cartridge is just empty airspace.  The (beige) sponge contains the black ink – a puncture hole indicates where the cartridge was injected with black ink.  Re-fillers should aim for that spot when refilling.

The HP 92 c9362w black inkjet printer cartridge does not much actual ink. Looks like 60% of the cartridge is just air.

Contact! – Contact!

These solder points, or contacts help make up the print head.  Printers that use these types of cartridges do not have an internal print head – rather the print head is located on the cartridges themselves.  If print quality declines to the point where the cartridge is no longer usable, simply try another cartridge (it’s like getting a new printer).  If your cartridge cannot be recognized, give the contacts a quick clean with a damp cloth, or other device and try again.  If the contacts are harmed, the cartridge may not function at all.

The HP 92 Print Head:

When in use, the print head on the HP 92 cartridge is cleaner.  Many refill attempts are foiled by a dirty or clogged print head.  When refilling cartridges, they should be refilled right before the ink is depleted, or immediately after they run out of ink.  The longer a cartridge sites, the more likely that ink will dry inside the print head and cause clogging.  If your print head becomes clogged, use a wet paper towel and gently clean off the print head surface.

Refilling?

If refilling this cartridge, here is a picture of the top, with HP 92 sticker removed.  Notice the 4 “phantom” holes.  Refill in top hole – where sponge is located, the other part of the cartridge is empty space.

Conclusion:

As you can see from the above pictures, the HP 92 inkjet printer cartridge does not contain very much ink.  If printing more than 100 – 200 pages per quarter, it would be wise to avoid printers that use this cartridge.  Hewlett Packard tries to trick their own customers with a deceptively low cartridge price ($14.99) without also mentioning that more than half the cartridge is empty.  This cartridge contains a measly 5ml of ink – there are better options out there.

If you are stuck with using this cartridge – look here for the best pricing.

New: Canon iP4600 – iP4700 CIS (CISS) CLI-221, PGI-220

Canon iP4600, iP4700 CI System:

Complete installation guide and review here.

The Canon CLI-221, and PGI-220 inkjet cartridges are much smaller than their predecessors, the CLI-8, PGI-5.  You can see a comparison here. With cartridges getting smaller, and cartridge prices going higher a (CIS, CISS) continuous inking system is an easy solution to your high cost ink problem.

Canon ip4600, ip4700, inkjet printer low cost ink solution, the CIS - continuous inking system. Ink fed directly to cartridges from an outside tank.

Easy installation:

This (CISS), CIS includes detailed instructions on how to install the system, and the tubing is easily routed out of the printer.  Cartridge set fully assembled, and ready for installation.  Chips on the cartridge will auto-reset once the printer thinks it is out of ink.

Low maintenance:

Install the system and forget ever needing to replace another cartridge.  When the printer says the printer is out of ink, simply tell the printer you have changed the cartridge, and the system is now reset, and the printer believes the cartridge is full again. Completely transparent.

Unlimited printing:

System comes pre-filled (50-60 cartridges worth) with ink.  Cartridge set, and resetting chips.  The external reservoir can be easily refilled with individual inks costing as little as $5.00 per color – about 15 cartridges per bottle.

Complete Review – Installation Guide:

You can see our complete installation guide, and review here:

http://freedomtoprint.com/2010/04/08/cis-ciss-review-canon-pixma-ip4700-ip4600/

Canon Pixma iP4600

Canon Pixma iP4700

Epson Chip Technology – Refill Deterence

Hackintosh? No, iNkByEpson.

Die chip, die!

As we have previously reported, the T068, T069, T088, T078, T077, T099, and T098 series ink cartridges are not reliably refillable due to the “self-destructing” chip on the outside of the cartridge.  It has been discovered that once ink levels reach a certain point (estimated at 25% full) there is an internal chip in these cartridges that will kill-reset the outer chip.  It renders the outside chip un-resettable, and if you can’t reset the chip, there is no point in refilling the cartridge, as it will not work in the printer w/out that chip reset.

iNkByEpson

Great couple of posts about hacking into the chips Epson uses to estimate the number of prints.  Epson chip technology is incredibly complicated, and it is all for one reason – the prevention of refilling.  Fascinating look into what goes on at a higher level.

Creating a “fake” Epson chip:

http://nerdipedia.com/tiki-index.php?page=MakeaFake

Hacking the actual chip:

http://nerdipedia.com/tiki-index.php?page=Intellidge+hacks

Engineering a home-brew CI System:

http://eddiem.com/photo/CIS/inkchip/chip.html

News: Costco Now Refilling HP, Lexmark, And Dell Ink Cartridges

Costco 1-Hour Refill Service:

Costco is now refilling HP, Lexmark, and DELL inkjet cartridges at their stores around the country. We are not sure if this is chain wide, or only in certain areas. This flyer price list comes to us from San Diego, CA. You can click the image to enlarge.

What ink cartridges they will refill:

• Hewlett Packard cartridge series – 15, 17, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 41, 45, 54, 56, 57, 58, 60, 60XL, 74, 74XL, 75, 75XL, 78, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 901
• Lexmark cartridge series – 1, 2, 3, 16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27, 32, 33, 34, 35, 60, 70, 80 ,82, 83, 88
• Dell -all kinds, click image below.

What ink cartridges they DO NOT refill:

• Epson
• Canon
• Brother

Looks like they will refill Hewlett Packard inkjet cartridges, Lexmark inkjet cartridges, as well as Dell inkjet cartridges. Unfortunately Costco does not offer refill services for Epson, Canon, or Brother cartridges, however compatibles, continuous ink systems (CIS), and refill options are available for these inkjet printers. No word on how the quality is. They are also pimping a website with information about refilling, http://www.inkjet411.com/.

You can now find even more information on Costco’s web site: http://costcoinkjetrefill.com/

Related, Staples drops recycle trade in rebate to $2.00.

Costco is now offering wait to fill inkjet refills. Click the image to enlarge.