SPC 232 Fuser unit.

[johnny32]

What are peoples experiences of these little MFP's?
I find them quite flimsy and have had 2 fuser units fail with only 10k on the clock, (the coating on the pressure roller just disintigrated).
Regarding Maintenance mode on these machines, whats the correct procedure for entering maintenance mode?

[zed255]

These things outright suck. You can't buy fuser parts either, and the units in my region are about $530 retail, plus labour and taxes. I usually see the MFP version that uses Ricoh's usual convention, but for the printer you install 'Smart Organizing Monitor' and access SP's from the print driver properties.

[Smee]

I think "outright suck" is an understatement! We are constantly replacing fusers from people clearing paper jams. They dont pull the blue handles to open the fuser, and as they pull the paper out it breaks the lower plastic guide below the fuser. Its part of the fuser so its gotta be bought whole - most expensive piece of plastic on the whole machine!

[johnny32]

I have a fuser error code on one of the little nightmares. Im havin trouble clearing it in service. Can I access service mode from the machine. The manual says use a sequence of keys but doesnt actually tell you which keys.

[brodera]

Hit "Clear / Stop" Buttom then "107" then hold down "color print" buttom for some sec then you are in service mode

Like the MPC's

Hope it helps!

[fotocom]

This machine is breaking my heart. Trying to get into service mode to clear a 541 error. Pressing Clear/Stop, then 107 and holding down the colour copy/print button. I just cannot get into service mode. AGGGRRRRHHHH, is very close to being flung out the window.......

[teebee1234]

No, per the manual its Clear/Stop,1,0,7, Clear/Start.

4. APPENDIX: SP MODE TABLES
4.1 SERVICE MENU
4.1.1 OVERVIEW
This model has several service menus. Each service menu has several adjustment items.
This section explains how to enter each service menu and what you can do in each service
menu.
Each menu is classified into two "Modes" depending on how you enter the service menus.

• "Menu Mode" can be executed by depressing the following key sequence while in ready condition: Clear/Stop, 1, 0, 7 and Clear/Start. (Press and hold each key till a beep is heard.)

• "Special Mode" is needed to input the serial number after the Engine Board EEPROMhas been replaced. Please contact your Technical Service Manager for details.

Each menu is classified as follows:
Menu Mode Function
Maintenance Mode Menu This is a menu for maintenance and service.
Special Mode This mode is used to input the serial number.
Fax Service Test Menu This is a menu for checking the fax mode.
4.1.2 MAINTENANCE MODE MENU
Selecting an Item
To select an item, press the "Up" or "Down" key.
Going into the Next Level/ Returning to the Previous Level

• To go into the next level of an item, select an item then press the "OK" key.

• To return to the previous level of an item, press the "Return" key.

Exiting the Maintenance Mode Menu
To exit the maintenance mode menu, press the "Clear/Stop" or "Return" key until the
"Ready" display appears.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Fusing related SCs: To prevent damage to the machine, the main machine cannot be
operated until the fusing related SC has been reset by a service representative.
�� Enter the engine maintenance mode.
�� Press "O.K" in "Fuser SC Reset" with engine maintenance mode, and then turn the
main power switch off and on.

[brodera]

Thx for correction teebee1234!

but when i press down the Clear/stop key then 1,0,7, and hold down Color copy buttom, it always works. prolly some US / EU configuration maybe?

[teebee1234]

Thx for correction teebee1234!

but when i press down the Clear/stop key then 1,0,7, and hold down Color copy buttom, it always works. prolly some US / EU configuration maybe?

That could be, the buttons are sometimes labeled different between countries but have the same function. I'll have to check one out next time I see one.

[Lotec]

We have sold a few hundred of these machines. We have never had any major problems with them..

We have had 3 where the black AIO cartridge messed up (it start to make a sound, and the image gets dirty and then it totally fails. It is a seal that is loose or wraped the wrong way). This has only been on new machines, and they fail within the first 500 pages. It is covered by Ricoh warranty.

I have also changed a drive unit (on the side of the machine, because of noise). Just took a part from a DOA machines and sent it back to Ricoh.
From the same DOA machine I also used a high voltage power board, that died on another machine. 10 minutes to change. Also covered by warranty.

We have customers copying 50-80K a year using these machines... For us they have been a gold mine. We sell a lot of AIO toner cartridges to them. A LOT.

I have been to two customers and helped them with a paper jam in the fuser. That's it.
I see things on them that could be better - but when it comes to changing parts in it - it is quite easy. Both covers on the side is fairly easy to take off. The bigger brother of this model have a fuser that is easier to remove to.
But there are parts for the fuser to be bought. They are not expensive either.

I would service these machines insted of Brother and a few Lexmark and HP models too.
At least when it comes to changing parts they are OK. I kind of like them.

Just... for the love of God... Why did they fit a diplay from the stone age on a fairly new machine. The customers find the display/keyboard/interface hard to use. But if they can use the Windows Image Monitor they manage.
They should have a small bright color touch screen like Lexmark has on the new pro series ink jet printers. The Lexmarks are also a deam to set up.
Another thing that could be better is the capasity on the paper tray. 500 pages should be a minimum on any printer no matter if it is for use at home or in an office.
The document feeder should be able to read both sides on the paper.
They should have a USB socket so the users could print from USB and scan to USB (and firmware upgrades).
They should ship them with support for Windows 7. There should also be a wireless option..

We sell these machines for about 350 US dollars, and that is cheap. We sell in average 1-2 every day now - and we have done this for quite some time now. And as previously mentioned ... we sell a sh**load of AIO cartridges for these machines.
We sold 40 to one single company. They had calculated the time/cost it took the users to go to the department copier in the copier room - and they found it cheaper to install a small color MFC in every office. All print jobs of over 20-25 pages are sent to the large copier, and the rest goes on the small Ricohs. To sweeten the deal they got two extra machines as back up machines. So they can just replace a machine if it fails (and we can fix it with no stress).
They just placed a new order for (80) AIO cartridges. They buy over 300 a year.. as I said.. it is a gold mine. And we have no competitors that sell toner for these machines.