C4503 PCU conversion

[Melvinp]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

The Black PCU for 03s cannot be modified to colours, the drive end does not seem to match. We have been able to rebuild the Colour PC units from Black; both the PC units need to be gutted, serviced and parts interchanged from the new Black PC unit to the due Colour one to resurrect it. I have done a few and it is no easy task. Yes the Colour PC unit is 3 times the price of a Black one.

[NeoMatrix]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

I just got my first C5503 in, and I know it's been more than a year since this thread was started, but I thought I'd better ask before ordering parts. Does anyone know a procedure for converting black pcu's to color on this model?

http://www.copytechnet.com/forums/at...7094411038-pdf

http://www.copytechnet.com/forums/ri...onversion.html

HTH

[mikadonovan]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

I just got my first C5503 in, and I know it's been more than a year since this thread was started, but I thought I'd better ask before ordering parts. Does anyone know a procedure for converting black pcu's to color on this model?

[slimslob]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

As I recall when I worked for Ricoh there is a conversion for K to C,M,Y drums. When the plug is analyzed at the end of the drum, the K connection is square with a steel bar embedded in the plastic connection, this bar has to be filed off, as well as given a slant in order to get into the slanted hole, the color drums have a slant on the connection, remove the color drum to make sure the slant is the same. Next you will have to change two wires, I'm going off of memory and I threw the instructions away, however, there are only four wires, giving you a possibility of a limited number of variations (15). These wires are under the drum that make the connection to the mfp. One screw has to be removed to disconnect the connector, take one color drum out, and see where the wires are in relation to the plug, to extrapolate a K drum into a color drum. I have personally done the conversion at least 50 times and it could save you a ton in cash. ""Caution"", if you don't file off the K drum at the appropriate angle you could break the connector in the mfp, very costly, time consuming, and a pain to replace the female connector in the mfp. Hope this helps.

We had a tech who would remove the connector and harness from the old color drum and install it on the new black drum. No filing off the corner of the modular plug, no swapping of wires. For those who want to convert, there is a post on the forum that has an attachment with a list of models showing which one could be4 converted, what drum unit to use for conversion and the procedure needed.

[Gamut]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

As I recall when I worked for Ricoh there is a conversion for K to C,M,Y drums. When the plug is analyzed at the end of the drum, the K connection is square with a steel bar embedded in the plastic connection, this bar has to be filed off, as well as given a slant in order to get into the slanted hole, the color drums have a slant on the connection, remove the color drum to make sure the slant is the same. Next you will have to change two wires, I'm going off of memory and I threw the instructions away, however, there are only four wires, giving you a possibility of a limited number of variations (15). These wires are under the drum that make the connection to the mfp. One screw has to be removed to disconnect the connector, take one color drum out, and see where the wires are in relation to the plug, to extrapolate a K drum into a color drum. I have personally done the conversion at least 50 times and it could save you a ton in cash. ""Caution"", if you don't file off the K drum at the appropriate angle you could break the connector in the mfp, very costly, time consuming, and a pain to replace the female connector in the mfp. Hope this helps.

That's for previous models, you can't do that on Metis range mpc xx03.

[benalvarez]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

I believe the cost was a ridiculuous difference. That's why ricoh usa did it. As I recall the K drums were less that 50 dollars USD and the color drums were a few hundred a piece.

[Zaxxon]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

Whats the cost difference on these, K contra CMY?

[benalvarez]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

As I recall when I worked for Ricoh there is a conversion for K to C,M,Y drums. When the plug is analyzed at the end of the drum, the K connection is square with a steel bar embedded in the plastic connection, this bar has to be filed off, as well as given a slant in order to get into the slanted hole, the color drums have a slant on the connection, remove the color drum to make sure the slant is the same. Next you will have to change two wires, I'm going off of memory and I threw the instructions away, however, there are only four wires, giving you a possibility of a limited number of variations (15). These wires are under the drum that make the connection to the mfp. One screw has to be removed to disconnect the connector, take one color drum out, and see where the wires are in relation to the plug, to extrapolate a K drum into a color drum. I have personally done the conversion at least 50 times and it could save you a ton in cash. ""Caution"", if you don't file off the K drum at the appropriate angle you could break the connector in the mfp, very costly, time consuming, and a pain to replace the female connector in the mfp. Hope this helps.

[Gift]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

As soon as I swap out a colour I'm going to try see what I can compare between the two scrap drums (and will post it here because i'll most likely need a little help)

I'll follow this thread and try to participate once the first patient is on the table.

[Richariri]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

If you do a little searching, you can find a low meter count operational used machine for around $500-$600. This is often less than some boards replacements will cost. 2 or 3 uses as a parts source and you are ahead cost wise.

that's what we do for MP C3300, 5000's etc.

But the newer machines certainly don't work out cheaper, not in the long run. Because you're left with a bare carcass that no-one will buy off you and you'll have to pay ridiculous prices to have recycled.


On the subject of this thread I was at an interview the other day and the service manager mentioned that they do convert xx03' drums from black to colour, he mentioned it was pretty complicated though.
Personally we've only had black drums fail so far. As soon as I swap out a colour I'm going to try see what I can compare between the two scrap drums (and will post it here because i'll most likely need a little help)

[Gift]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

Ricoh New Zealand have a conversion procedure. It's about 10 pages long and time consuming, with various things that can ruin the entire PCU along the way if you do them wrong. It might be cheaper to purchase a whole 3503 for a spares donor, buy the time you include 4 drums and a fuser, as well as a DF that can go on a 5503, it looks pretty good. As well as all the motors and annoying little parts that would be backordered otherwise.

Any chance to share this intel? I had a look and thought it wouldn't be much effort to mod the units but after closer inspection I saw that the dimensesion beween gears/shafts seem slightly different so the BK/COL body is not interchangeable due to these drive related issues. The only thing I can imagine is that you might be able strip the PM relevant parts of a BK unit in order to refurb a COL drum unit but I haven't tried yet nor wouldn't call it a "conversion".

Having a set of PM parts beeing more expensive than a new machine - kinda reminds me of an argument "why people shouldn't buy cheap inkjet/laser home office devices"...

[slimslob]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

This can not possibly be cost effective. We have 90 or so of these in the field...some doing significant volume, requiring us to replace the PCU's twice in the machine's life cycle. We were merely inquiring if a solution was available...ala C4501/4502 PCU conversion, which is quite effective. How can we maintain a service margin by ordering entire machines for parts?

If you do a little searching, you can find a low meter count operational used machine for around $500-$600. This is often less than some boards replacements will cost. 2 or 3 uses as a parts source and you are ahead cost wise.

[copiercop]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

Quite a few companies order complete new copiers for donation purposes as it works out a lot cheaper in the long run.

This can not possibly be cost effective. We have 90 or so of these in the field...some doing significant volume, requiring us to replace the PCU's twice in the machine's life cycle. We were merely inquiring if a solution was available...ala C4501/4502 PCU conversion, which is quite effective. How can we maintain a service margin by ordering entire machines for parts?

[Max]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

Quite a few companies order complete new copiers for donation purposes as it works out a lot cheaper in the long run.

[Oze]

Re: C4503 PCU conversion

Seems kind of pricey to purchase an entire machine as a parts "donor". We have 80-90 of these in the field....some of which are doing volumes that would bring these PCU's to yield in two years. There has to be a more cost effective way to address this. Any other thoughts?.....thanks for all the feedback.

As Sarge stated....factor in the price of a full set of drums and a fuser and you could buy a 3003 as a doner.
I've seen the ITB dumping ruin a pcdu already and the drum was only @48k.
So far as we are aware there is no way to mod a black pcu for color............................................. ..for now