i-series Version 2 announcement

[Markks]

Konica Minolta released a bulletin today announcing that they are coming out with a version 2 of the following models . 450i, 550i, 650i, 750i, C450i, C550i, C650i and C750i. The main thing to note is that the fuser is not interchangeable from version 1 to version 2. The attached bulletin explains how to tell which one is which. 13263.pdf

[femaster]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

What a shit show that is! Now we are going to have to stock two different fusers for every damn i-model!

[copyman]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

Konica Minolta released a bulletin today announcing that they are coming out with a version 2 of the following models . 450i, 550i, 650i, 750i, C450i, C550i, C650i and C750i. The main thing to note is that the fuser is not interchangeable from version 1 to version 2. The attached bulletin explains how to tell which one is which. [ATTACH]57046[/ATTACH]

The least they could of done is say that the "i" series was a flop and the ver 2 will be new and improved! Between the toner shortage last year and the piece of crap "i" series I know of at least 2 dealers who switched to Canon & Kyocera.

[Markks]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

The least they could of done is say that the "i" series was a flop and the ver 2 will be new and improved! Between the toner shortage last year and the piece of crap "i" series I know of at least 2 dealers who switched to Canon & Kyocera.

The 750i/c750i does have a longer fuser life plus they say they are all supposed to have improved image quality. Only time will tell

[tsbservice]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

The 750i/c750i does have a longer fuser life plus they say they are all supposed to have improved image quality. Only time will tell

I'm surprised how C250i fuser life can be 800k and C750i after improvement also 800k. Does that means they basically put a fusers from slow machine to C750i
As for image quality it would be some soft switch set like 153 and nothing more as they still use same drums, developers and toners.

[copyman]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

I'm surprised how C250i fuser life can be 800k and C750i after improvement also 800k. Does that means they basically put a fusers from slow machine to C750i
As for image quality it would be some soft switch set like 153 and nothing more as they still use same drums, developers and toners.

That would really suck. At least the fusers were different with the prior higher volume models C554e-C754e and C558-C758 using IH fusing system.

But with the C454, C458 they did use same fuser as slower models just changing the connector.

[copyman]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

The 750i/c750i does have a longer fuser life plus they say they are all supposed to have improved image quality. Only time will tell

Not sure I would call that an improvement. After all the years Kon/Min has been in business image quality should never be an issue.

Also 800k yield for a fuser in higher volume copier, at least the C754 fuser could yield 1 million + if in a high volume environment
Not sure if I would call 800K an improvement. Each equipment generation should improve on previous models, not get worse!

Bottom line is the older models could last 7-10 years and Kon/Min didn't like that so now you have models that "may" last 5 years if lucky. Also they didn't like how consumables such as drums lasted 2-3 life's in the "4" series so they went to crap PCR's and lucky if they last 1 life cycle!

What a shame that once a top OEM like Kon/Min is losing dealers & consumers fast!

[techsxge]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

What a shit show that is! Now we are going to have to stock two different fusers for every damn i-model!

I wonder if KM (And other companies like olivetti and develop) will now send out v2 fusing units if not specified v1 when ordered. Could actually make me throw the unit out of the windows at customer site if they send me wrong versions now

[copier tech]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

Konica Minolta released a bulletin today announcing that they are coming out with a version 2 of the following models . 450i, 550i, 650i, 750i, C450i, C550i, C650i and C750i. The main thing to note is that the fuser is not interchangeable from version 1 to version 2. The attached bulletin explains how to tell which one is which. [ATTACH]57046[/ATTACH]

Thanks for sharing.

I can see many engineers not checking the serial number & ordering the wrong fuser.

[femaster]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

I had the opportunity to compare a V1 and a V2 fuser yesterday for the C650i model. Found out that we had one of the V2 machines in stock, so did an external comparison of the two fusers.

The V1 machine was manufactured 10 of 2022 and the V2 machine was manufactured 11 of 2022. After comparing them, I can see very little difference between the two fusers. The two most notable things are the upper roller (belt) is a different color, so I assume that means a different material or different construction. The only other visible difference is the exit guide plate. On the V2 fuser the small ribs extend all the way to the top edge of the plate where as the the V1 only extends about 3/4 of the way up. On the backside of this piece there are vents. In the V2 model, the plastic vents angle down inside the fuser slightly, where as the V1 is flat across the top.

Inside-Pic-1.jpg

I swapped fusers between the different version machines, and physically they fit perfectly in their opposite version machines. The electrical connections appear to be identical as well. I did not go so far as to power up the machines with the wrong fusers in them as I'm not that brave at this point. An educated guess would make me think they would work, but maybe because of the belt change they use different thermistors? Hard to say at this point as I won't be pulling one of these apart any time soon.

Closeup of the exit guide change:

V1-Exit-1.jpgV2-Exit-1.jpg

[tsbservice]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

I had the opportunity to compare a V1 and a V2 fuser yesterday for the C650i model. Found out that we had one of the V2 machines in stock, so did an external comparison of the two fusers.

The V1 machine was manufactures 10 of 2022 and the V2 machine was manufactures 11 of 2022. After comparing them, I can see very little difference between the two fusers. The two most notable things are the upper roller (belt) in a different color, so I assume that means a different material or different construction. The only other visible difference is the exit guide plate. On the V2 fuser the small ribs extend all the way to the top edge of the plate where as the the V1 only extends about 3/4 of the way up. On the backside of this piece there are vents. In the V2 model, the plastic vents angle down inside the fuser slightly, were as the V1 is flat across the top.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]57092[/ATTACH]

I swapped fusers between the different version machine, and physically they fit perfectly in their opposite version machines. The electrical connections appear to be identical as well. I did not go so far as so power up the machines with the wrong fusers in them as I'm not that brave at this point. An educated guess would make me think they would work, but maybe because of the belt change they use different thermistors? Hard to say at this point as I won't be pulling one of these apart any time soon.

Closeup of the exit guide change:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]57095[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]57094[/ATTACH]

This just comes to confirm my old opinion.You are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
And thank you for serving this community, it's appreciated. I feel comfortable now seeing old techs legacy is kept and maintained in proper way!

I apologize to Markks for my little rant at least I'm trying to keep them positive

[copier tech]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

I had the opportunity to compare a V1 and a V2 fuser yesterday for the C650i model. Found out that we had one of the V2 machines in stock, so did an external comparison of the two fusers.

The V1 machine was manufactured 10 of 2022 and the V2 machine was manufactured 11 of 2022. After comparing them, I can see very little difference between the two fusers. The two most notable things are the upper roller (belt) is a different color, so I assume that means a different material or different construction. The only other visible difference is the exit guide plate. On the V2 fuser the small ribs extend all the way to the top edge of the plate where as the the V1 only extends about 3/4 of the way up. On the backside of this piece there are vents. In the V2 model, the plastic vents angle down inside the fuser slightly, where as the V1 is flat across the top.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]57092[/ATTACH]

I swapped fusers between the different version machines, and physically they fit perfectly in their opposite version machines. The electrical connections appear to be identical as well. I did not go so far as to power up the machines with the wrong fusers in them as I'm not that brave at this point. An educated guess would make me think they would work, but maybe because of the belt change they use different thermistors? Hard to say at this point as I won't be pulling one of these apart any time soon.

Closeup of the exit guide change:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]57095[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]57094[/ATTACH]

Thank you again for answering a few of our questions.

From this I would say that the gen 1 & 2 fuser units are interchangeable. I would expect the connections to be different if they weren't however I understand how you don't want to risk it!

[Markks]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

I wonder if KM (And other companies like olivetti and develop) will now send out v2 fusing units if not specified v1 when ordered. Could actually make me throw the unit out of the windows at customer site if they send me wrong versions now

The fusers have different part numbers so you should get which ever one you order.

[allan]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

I have early 750i's using what seems to be the v2 fusers with the red sleeves. Then I guess here in ZA we are only getting v2 fusers. I am lucky if they make 400K. We are rebuilding them to recover that loss.

[femaster]

Re: i-series Version 2 announcement

I have early 750i's using what seems to be the v2 fusers with the red sleeves. Then I guess here in ZA we are only getting v2 fusers. I am lucky if they make 400K. We are rebuilding them to recover that loss.

This whole thread is about to become a moot point. They are phasing out the version 1 and version 2 fusers for an "Upward Compatible" version that will fit both versions of the i-model machines. See link below:

New i-Series "Upward Compatible" Fusers (Fusing Unit II)