MPC4501 PCU

[fritzyas]

Can we interchange the black PCU to a color PCU? thank you for your help.

[MikeyP]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

Hi,
Personally havn't done one on the above model,and I know Ricoh appear to have made it even more difficult to do,
however,on all previous models you can utilise a black pcu for the colour section.

MPC 3500/4500 just change over and chamfer plug ( removing small piece metal) so it will locate B2232042
MPC 2800/3300 switch leads one and two on LHS of connector as viewed from front and chamfer rear plug again D0292256

The pcu's in MPC 4501 look identical on initial inspection but the rear is very different

[RBCtech]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

Hi I have been looking into the same thing with our MPC4501/5501a units. Its seems that you can swap in the d029 units if you cut some metal on the pcu separation plate and cut off a pin in the pcu plus the usual wire swap trick. Currently unsure if we will use this method yet. There is a tutorial on a site best just googling "mpc3001/4501 colour drum modification" I would post a link but unsure if it breaks the rules as they also sell toner.

Matt

[sakura]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

No you can't do it on C4501_5501 models. They have changed units so BK now has a totally different shape, wiring, lub bar etc. I tried using PCU (part of a complete unit) from BK and tried to fit it onto Yellow unit - absolutely not going to happen. Don't waste your time and money.

[Gift]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

Of course you can do it as already and more than once described here in this forum and even in this topic.

[Jomama46]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

Of course you can do it as already and more than once described here in this forum and even in this topic.

Look at the model # carefully Gift

[Cipher]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

I had a good look today.

The frames are significantly different due to the tweaked cleaning unit layout and longer and wider lubricant bar.
The lubricant bar is mounted directly on the charge roller assembly on the black drum unit.
Where as the lubricant bar on the colour drum unit is part of the drum frame above the charge roller assembly, so they cannot be simply swapped.

The only way I could see doing it would be to exchange the following parts between frames.

• Drum
• Drum cleaning blade
• Charge roller
• Charge roller cleaning roller
• Charge roller cleaning blade

*Inspect the cleaning brush and lubricant bar.

Unfortunately this is far more time consuming.
Damaging something is far more likely.
And it's doubtful that the cleaning brush, lubricant bar and cleaning coil would last for more than double their target yield.

To be honest this time I don't think it's worth the extra work and problems it could cause.

[Cipher]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

Black drum unit

black1.jpgblack2.jpg

Colour drum unit

colour1.jpgcolour2.jpg

[Gift]

Re: MPC4501 PCU

you have to take the drum unit from the previous generation (MPC2800BK) - same modding plus removing some metal bin somewhot near the backplate in the engine - pretty easy. You can even google that (don't have the url with detailed intel in mind).