MP6500 fading to grey

[andy227]

So we have this MP6500 that has a history of feint grey copies. We 'force toner' it , it looks good then goes back after a day or so. My colleagues fitted new dev and drum last month, I went to it yesterday, feint grey copies again. I know its not a good idea to alter too much the default settings in the SP's , but I was wondering what practical effect do certain adjustments have, if anyone has actually done these, as the manual doesn't always make this very clear. For example, 2209 toner supply rate, REDUCING this value, reducing the mg/sec added, actually results in MORE toner clutch on time and therefore MORE TONER ? Is this true and by how much should it adjusted to see a significant difference ?

Also, 2201-002 dev bias ID sensor pattern adjustment, (default 360), what adjustment should result in more toner concentration ? Does higher value = more toner ?

again, 2201-004 ID sensor pattern dev potential, (default 240), what is the practical effect of this ? The manual says that 002 and 004 should be adjusted together by same amount. Does that mean if 002 is adjusted to 390, then 004 should be altered to 270 ?

I'm considering all options, but need to understand the practical effect of those adjustments. We are considering changing the dev unit as it did feel slightly stiffer to hand turn than normal. Thanks for any input guys.

[slimslob]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

The first thing to check is the ID sensor itself. If there is a lot of toner building up around and on the ID sensor, replace the cleaning roller.

As for SP settings, check that SP 2208 Toner Supply Mode is set to 0 Sensor Control, Pixel Count tends to undertone. If the customer does a high average pages per job, 10 or more, change SP 2210 ID Sensor Pattern Interval to 1. If the average pages per jobs is over 100, set SP 2507-001 to 1 and SP 2507-002 to between 10 and 50. These settings will help maintain TD levels during long jobs. These are of course dependent on the ID sensor being clean.

Raising developer bias, SP2201-001, will push more toner to the drum. It can also cause background. Raising Developer bias ID sensor settings will make the ID patch look darker and process control will counter by lowering the toner density.

[Zaxxon]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

Toner can get stuck to the magnet roller surface, always clean this when changing developer.
Check the tonerhopper/supply is assembled correct. Replace the toner recycle part on top of the dev unit.
Alway use original RICOH toner and developer.

Normally these models are very kind to you if their PM wishes is fulfilled

[andy227]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

Slimslob, the obvious ones have been done. ID sensor and PCU frame cleaned, cleaning brush not replaced as far as I know. 2208 yes, is set to sensor control, also 2210 read interval has been lowered to 5, the type of copy is normal solicitors' office type of work anyway, typical text. I know about 2201-001's symptoms, but you are saying REDUCING 002 Developer bias ID sensor settings (and consiquently 004) will result in more toner concentration ?

Zaxxon, dev roller is clean, not the problem, although it felt a bit stiffer than normal to me, so considering changing it. The recycle part I always check, and usualy find the mylar paddles to be detached and fix them, as in this case, but made no difference on the final result.

[Polo-022]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

...''The recycle part I always check, and usualy find the mylar paddles to be detached and fix them, as in this case, but made no difference on the final result.''

Here is the key andy,...Just replace it!!!!!!!!!

[jfbar1]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

A shot in the dark... Do an engine clear, then change the developer (again). Make sure you have the front door open when turning on, then key in a 2801, close the door, and execute.

If it DOES recover when doing a 2207, it's NOT a toner supply issue. It's usually contaminated developer from either dust/ozone/humidity.

Good Luck

[Bantams]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

A Faulty toner supply sensor may be the culprit have had this before due to another engineers toner vac blowing the sensor on the side of the toner supply unit.

[Tonerbomb]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

when it goes light what are the numbers for VSG,VSP,VSDP, VT and VTref ??????????

[JonManchester]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

When you changed DV was the doctor gap cleaned out, I've seen buildup many times cause issues. Also when you take the toner hopper off the DV unit, do you vacuum under the hopper and verify toner is flowing properly out of the slitter holes. When i dump old DV out i always turn the unit upside down and tap the DV base with my screwdriver a few times, you'll be surprised with all the chunks that stick to the unit. I also clean the mag roller with Acetone, even if the roller looks clean wipe with acetone and your rag will be black. Oh and also check the drum ground I've seen that be problematic before. No mention of the transfer unit, if its due id change it. Good Luck.

[wester]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

When you changed DV was the doctor gap cleaned out, I've seen buildup many times cause issues. Also when you take the toner hopper off the DV unit, do you vacuum under the hopper and verify toner is flowing properly out of the slitter holes. When i dump old DV out i always turn the unit upside down and tap the DV base with my screwdriver a few times, you'll be surprised with all the chunks that stick to the unit. I also clean the mag roller with Acetone, even if the roller looks clean wipe with acetone and your rag will be black. Oh and also check the drum ground I've seen that be problematic before. No mention of the transfer unit, if its due id change it. Good Luck.

I'd be leaning towards it not being OEM developer/toner. just had this problem recently.

[Iowatech]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

Just to take this in a somewhat different direction, how many prints per month are being made on that machine?
The MP 6500 is meant to be used for large jobs, if you aren't making enough prints per job per month the toner feed doesn't run long enough to keep up, resulting in prints with poor density.
On older machines, decreasing the value for toner feed time in service mode helped sometimes (that makes the toner feed system run longer for some reason), but there's a chance you just have a machine that is too large for your needs.

[vargue]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

ihave this issue i suspect in devolper is fake .we have big problem in dealers . most type run good is typ14 original. it's block buster. with complet maintenance machine run sharp

[Codex]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

Hello, i'm writing from Italy

Check if you have the TYPE 9002 Toner in that machine (Made in France), we have big problems with this toner, reported to Ricoh Europe, they confimed that there is an issue with this toner and they promised to make tests in laboratory (in Netherland), ALL our machines (200!) have grey copies after a while, even if Developer has only 50k or so......At the moment we clean the mag roller with a copper brush, and also the doctor blade, and it works for a while......if not the only (temporary ) solution is to change Developer (confirmed by Ricoh Italy Supervisor).

[hsh6049]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

Toner can get stuck to the magnet roller surface, always clean this when changing developer.
Check the tonerhopper/supply is assembled correct. Replace the toner recycle part on top of the dev unit.
Alway use original RICOH toner and developer.

Normally these models are very kind to you if their PM wishes is fulfilled

how to clean magnetic roller?

[davel]

Re: MP6500 fading to grey

how to clean magnetic roller?

Thread is over 2years old, use wire brush or scoured pad.