Anybody else hack Ricoh drums?

[fixthecopier]

Is the modification of Ricoh black drums to use in place of the color drums that are more expensive, a common practice? If so are there any negative side effects?

[zed255]

I work for Ricoh directly and personally don't bother trying to pinch pennies. If Ricoh wants the colour drums to be three times the cost and have two thirds the yield, honestly what do I care. If I were operating a dealership I'd be certain to examine this practice and based upon what I've seen I'd likely adopt the practice. Aside from the wiring I have found no other differences differences which would suggest any real ill effects come from doing this.

If you are trimming the corners, just make sure you trim enough so as not to damage the socket in the machine. Replacing that would definitely ruin your day and a good chunk of the savings.

[E Winter]

We're using the MPC-BK drum units for color as well - no problems. We're also using the SPC811/820 pcu's/transfer units/fuser for the MPC series.

[brodera]

here we have for 28/33/40/5000

http://www.copytechnet.com/forums/ricoh-savin-gestetner/24020-how-use-black-drum-color-drum-mpc28-33-40-5000-a.html

and for 20/25/30/35/4500

Like Zed255 typed.

[pLatik]

i use black drums in a mpc 2000, and at this time (machine have printed 50.000) do not have any problems. Like previously said, the black drums cost 1/3 to the colors. here cost 100€ the black and the color drums cost 450€. the difference is too much, to not take the risk.