[Error Code] MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

[Guest]

Hi, Sorry to drop a bomb and run, but we could really use some serious help.

Basically, my question is, if you could teach a total noob how to replace the opc drum kits and the color developer, including the exact parts we need and a step by step procedure on what must be done, could you do it?

Basically, the problem is we have one of these units deployed in an alternate plane of existence. Its out in the middle of nowhere. Its in BFE, and its never going to come back. OK, its really on a ship in the middle of the ocean right now. The problem is, per Sharp, these units are all dealer supported, and per our dealer, they wont support the unit because it is now out of their territory. Any attempts to locate international service have not been successful, either. We have a copy of the service manual, but its a little painful to go though and sort out. I am a sysadmin onboard this ship, but not at all a trained copier technician. I will be onboard in a few weeks and can have parts shipped out to me. I just really need to get the service done on this unit, one way or another, and I have a feeling this is going to be an ongoing problem with this unit in that if we require service again further in the future, we are going to have problems getting it serviced unless we do it ourselves.

Thanks.

[blackcat4866]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

There are too many things to teach, from scratch. It's not just the things to do, it's the things not to do. This is two hours work for someone who knows how. At least twice that long on the other end of a phone.

Can't you pull into port, and find a professional. There are copier techs everywhere. It would come out better. =^..^=

[danceswrabbit]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

That is one smart cat.

[Electrichead64]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

There are too many things to teach, from scratch. It's not just the things to do, it's the things not to do. This is two hours work for someone who knows how. At least twice that long on the other end of a phone.

Can't you pull into port, and find a professional. There are copier techs everywhere. It would come out better. =^..^=

I appreciate the feedback. I wasn't kidding about being out in the middle of nowhere. Now, that being said, the copier still requires service, otherwise it
gets turned into a boat-anchor. I'm not kidding about that either. The ship will be in Keelung, Taiwan for a couple of days, we are trying to set something
up with a service tech that came out once before. After that it heads to Subic Bay, the Philippines. I've already reached out to Sharp. Sharp say these
units are dealer-supported. Our dealer is blowing us off. Attempts have been made to contact Sharp in the Philippines as well and, again, its the same
old protectionist CRAP from them. If I cant get this unit serviced some way, some how in Taiwan, I'm kicking it off the ship in Subic and I'm going to
bring a Xerox on board.

[blackcat4866]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

Be sure that you specify which error messages are displayed so that your tech can come prepared. This is probably not a problem, but you may need a translator to help your tech navigate the English language menus. I've been in this situation before. It was Japanese, and I would have been lost without the customers assistance translating the screens. Good luck. =^..^=

[Electrichead64]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

Yea, we deal with that all of the time, too. Like I said, I'm a Sys Admin on board a scientific research vessel. We have people on board from all over the world that bring their own laptops and expect to be able to get on my ships network. Its a lot of fun trying to figure out Japanese Windows XP laptops. Look, our tech in Taiwan is a long shot. We have a 3 day port call, and he has to be able to bring everything he needs to service to unit during that time. That means the proper drum kits and all that, and it looks to me like they are SKU'd regionally, why I don't know .. but I'm concerned about being able to get US parts for a US MFP, in Taiwan. If it doesn't happen there, we will be in Subic Bay for 2 months, but so far Sharp in the Philippines is blowing us off. They have one dealer there that can service MFP's, and they refuse to do so because we didn't buy it from them. So, if we get to that point, we have to make a decision as to whether we want to take a crack at this ourselves or not. We really could use some help. Because if it doesn't happen there, the next longshot is Singapore. If it doesn't happen there, then we are looking at a 2 month multi-million dollar scientific expedition that's not going to have this unit available. We have other printers, but this is the only MFP we have onboard. Because of the nature of our business, it appears to me that we either need to replace this unit with a make that is going to give us better international support, or we need to learn how to aquire the parts and service the unit ourselves. Both are valid options as far as I am concerned, but having no MFP or a dead MFP on board is not an option. After this, and over the course of the next couple of years, the ship will be hitting ports in Singapore, Sri Lanka, Munbai, Austrailia, South Africa. We can always send units to and from the ship, but that takes weeks and a lot of money to move equipment like that.

[bilyahn]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

Sounds like we have the 7 P's in play here. You've probably run up on the upper limit of your maintenance cycle and can no longer print. Is this correct?

Sharp consumables generally last longer than the rated time so not getting the maintenance done right away is not critical although I'm not sure how this would play out on a research vessel since the copier would be getting bounced around pretty good in rough seas. Or at least from my experience getting bounced around in rough seas!!!

Blackcat is correct about the time frame for an experienced tech who has worked on color copiers before to do this work. I'ts not for someone (even a tech) to try at sea it is best left til you get into port.

Since you have the manual you can research in the maintenance section how to check your copiers settings and get it to print with these codes displayed. Be advised this is not recommended since there is a reason for it being this way!!!!! As for parts overseas matching those for a US brand I'm not too sure about that.

Good luck with this. I'm really surprised that you can't get a local dealer to work on your machine. Also good luck if you decide to deep six this and get a Xerox color copier, yes they have consumer replaceable parts but in Xerox's case you don't always get what you overpaid for....

Bil

[Electrichead64]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

We can still print. We estimate we are at about 90% of the consumables usefulness and these are just counter codes. We are under expedition right now and will make it to the end of that, and then we tie-up in Subic Bay for 2 months where the unit will not get much use. But after that, its balls to the wall again. It needs to be dealt with by then.

Even if it came down to it, which it wouldn't .. but even if we had to work on it while "at sea" the ship is surprisingly pretty stable. We move, we park, we drill, and we can sit on a spot for a couple of weeks at a time. Most of the time the sea is pretty calm, and we have a dynamic positioning system to keep us on a dime.

I think its been onboard for about 2 years but we had a 4 month tie up last year, so as close to real world usage I can get is ~approximately 18 months of service before we hit these 60,000 page counters. Maybe it will last one more 2 month trip, maybe it wont. Can't really take any more chances after this. We start to work our way towards Australia and India after this one and the further we get from the US, the longer it takes for us to get stuff to and from the ship.

Thanks again for everyone's assistance.

[David NSW]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

Whe i worked for the Sharp Dealer in Cairns Queensland Australia, we used to always servioce copiers on ships in Cairns Harbour, They would call ahead and we would have the parts ready

[skookumchuck]

Re: MX-3110N Error Codes: CA DC DM DY VC VM VY

I have worked on copiers on ships from all over the world, mainly Europe. I had one Greek ships captain say that I was worse than an Egyptian. Since I don't know any Egyptians I was not insulted. The captain was a little upset at the time because a US Coast Guard officer had just told him that he had to change all the locks on the ship in the next ten days. Apparently, it was necessary to use the key or keycard to get out of the passenger cabins. Imagine no power, dark, stormy and having to find your key to get out. I wouldn't mind coming over and doing the job for you but you could probably buy a new copier for what I would have to bill. Try Austraulia. You can speak the language and if it is any kind of a port city they will have a little experience doing it. Try Precision Roller for OEM parts at precisionroller.com. If you have the black and color copy counts they can probably get their tech guys to come up with what you need for a USA brand machine and drop ship it to you. Still, not cheap .