Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

[unlimitedbt]

Hi Guys. We have just picked up a nice ricoh 240W. Machine works fine - it has only 1800 sq. feed on counter. It does lay a light background, even trough entire sheet. I was wondering if anyone knows the way to fix it. I went trough entire service manual and can't find any useful info about this issue. Also when we print the drawings from PC - bottom line does not coming up - I think I need to move the image up a little but do not want to affect the copying as it works fine. If you're proficient on this model please leave your info VIA PM or Email UnlimitedBT@yahoo.com - I am willing to compensate your time and effort - PayPal, check, whatever you're comfortable with. Thanks in advance. Roman.

[jonezy999]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

I only look after one of these but I have only ever seen grey background once and new dev fixed it. Note the dev had only done half of its yield.

[unlimitedbt]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

I did consider DV but 1800 prints.... Not even prints Sq. feet of media, standard Blueprint is like 6 sq. feet....

[jonezy999]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

I'm sure there is other members here who know a lot more about these boxes than I do. Like I said, new dev solved my back grounding issue. Sometimes you just can't trust that parts will last their expected yields. Also just checked all the bulletins I can find and no mention of back grounds. Same with service manual.

[Counsel]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

Don't know if it will help but Goose Guide says on dirty/grey background to set SP 2201-4 to High Duty. Guess you could try it.

[unlimitedbt]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

Thank you - will give it a shot

[JustManuals]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

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[Polarbear]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

This may sound stupid, but is the cleaning blade transport lever in the correct position?

If you open the machine middle (press the release buttons on either side of the machine) then lift it so that you can see the drum. On the right hand side there is a metal lever. When the machine is to be transported, this lever is pulled left (to pull the cleaning blade away from the drum) and this should be reset (right) when the machine is installed.

Check it - it will be a cheap fix if it is that!

[jdzr]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

Developer mix could very well be bad. on low usage machines the mix does not stay agitated well enough to maintain the tribo elec charge. Could also be dev bias or charge area. One thing we have found that will defintily cause this problem is the lens itself will get a smog coating of sorts on it. If you clean the lens you will also be able to see the charge assembly to see what kind of shape it is in. Keep in mind the wire should be gold colored but the case around the wire should be a shiny aluminum.
Also, see if the background appears when you use the autoset or the manual adjustment for density. These can both be adjusted through diagnotics.

[tjvincent]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

I work on a lot of these, does it have a speckled background ? If you lighten the toner density it will get better. Its in S.P. modes.

[banginbishop]

[tjvincent]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

I have been working on these since they were introduced and have yet to replace a drum, just do regular PMs.

[jdzr]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

I too have been working on them since they first came out and the only time I have replaced a drum is when the customer actually damaged it. Normal cleaning and maintenace usually takes care of most problems.

[banginbishop]

Re: Ricoh 240W light gray background issue

then consider yourself very lucky! i bet most people have never had to replace the scanner either on these when they fail but again I have. Just because you may never have had to change a drum on these doesnt mean it hasnt failed.

drums are OPC = organic photoconductor i.e. it will fail over a period of time

these machines were launched in 2004 - whats to say it hasnt been clocked or its a low volume machine as its been used for scanning old documents into a server?

Yes it may not be the drum but really dont just dismiss the idea because You havent had to replace them.