This is kind of a rant, but anyway...
If you work on these two models, the 8508A or the 8518A, you know the issues with C471 errors, belts ripping in two.
Personally, when this started about November of 2018, I said they should just go back to using the fuser in the 5540-6570.
It's a POS in these machines. Too fragile. Mod after mod...still does it. The issue, is the oil isn't enough to keep it from
drying out the wick, and once dry, you get too much friction on the fuser belt, which rips it in two.
Then, with the friction, the outer sleeve of the fuser belt holder, gets scratched in an vertical direction. Since this uses an
inductive heat, to heat the fuser, it's creating a hot spot in the areas of the vertical scratches. Then, the Brainiac that put the
thermal fuse on one end of the fuser, and the thermistors in the middle and opposite end. I've tried countless ways to combat
the problem and lowering the fuser on the 08/18's was about the best thing you could do, then TABS comes out with a bunch
of 08 changes that do what? Lower the fuser temperature on the 08/18's. Then, I talked with one of the guys and he said it
was because the temperature open point of the fuse is close to the operating temperature of the machine. Well, then make
the fuse a bit higher temperature. At one point, in early 2020, I went through 30 fuses in less than 30 days!
Now, the geniuses say that the issue isn't with the fusers that come with the machines, they are lasting their rated life, but,
after they are rebuilt. NOW they say that you shouldn't rebuilt the core/belt holder, but, replace the entire belt holder because
it is just too fragile. Ok, you made a part, for a high temperature, high productivity machine, but made it too fragile? Seriously?
And to make it even worse, if you look at the parts manual, the ONLY part of that belt holder/core that is NOT available as a
replacement part is....wait for it...the outer core shell! If you try to scrub the goop off the belt holder in servicing it, it has a
gray goop, which is funny...it's the same color as the inside of the upper fuser belt. Maybe their oil is causing the material on
the inside of the belt to deteriorate? And, the oil? Less than a thimble full of oil is included with the fuser kit. Oh, you can
order more...at 30 dollars per thimble full! (I found an alternative source, thanks anyway TABS).
I've worked on TABS machines for over 30 years, and I should know better. When I went to the first school on the 8508A series,
I said this is great! They took a 5560/70, took out the color and made it a black & white...we'll never have issues with these!
Oh...Murphy's law...STRUCK again. The only thing they really changed was the fuser, and it's the headache we've had since release!
Rant over...
Capture.JPG
If you work on these two models, the 8508A or the 8518A, you know the issues with C471 errors, belts ripping in two.
Personally, when this started about November of 2018, I said they should just go back to using the fuser in the 5540-6570.
It's a POS in these machines. Too fragile. Mod after mod...still does it. The issue, is the oil isn't enough to keep it from
drying out the wick, and once dry, you get too much friction on the fuser belt, which rips it in two.
Then, with the friction, the outer sleeve of the fuser belt holder, gets scratched in an vertical direction. Since this uses an
inductive heat, to heat the fuser, it's creating a hot spot in the areas of the vertical scratches. Then, the Brainiac that put the
thermal fuse on one end of the fuser, and the thermistors in the middle and opposite end. I've tried countless ways to combat
the problem and lowering the fuser on the 08/18's was about the best thing you could do, then TABS comes out with a bunch
of 08 changes that do what? Lower the fuser temperature on the 08/18's. Then, I talked with one of the guys and he said it
was because the temperature open point of the fuse is close to the operating temperature of the machine. Well, then make
the fuse a bit higher temperature. At one point, in early 2020, I went through 30 fuses in less than 30 days!
Now, the geniuses say that the issue isn't with the fusers that come with the machines, they are lasting their rated life, but,
after they are rebuilt. NOW they say that you shouldn't rebuilt the core/belt holder, but, replace the entire belt holder because
it is just too fragile. Ok, you made a part, for a high temperature, high productivity machine, but made it too fragile? Seriously?
And to make it even worse, if you look at the parts manual, the ONLY part of that belt holder/core that is NOT available as a
replacement part is....wait for it...the outer core shell! If you try to scrub the goop off the belt holder in servicing it, it has a
gray goop, which is funny...it's the same color as the inside of the upper fuser belt. Maybe their oil is causing the material on
the inside of the belt to deteriorate? And, the oil? Less than a thimble full of oil is included with the fuser kit. Oh, you can
order more...at 30 dollars per thimble full! (I found an alternative source, thanks anyway TABS).
I've worked on TABS machines for over 30 years, and I should know better. When I went to the first school on the 8508A series,
I said this is great! They took a 5560/70, took out the color and made it a black & white...we'll never have issues with these!
Oh...Murphy's law...STRUCK again. The only thing they really changed was the fuser, and it's the headache we've had since release!
Rant over...
Capture.JPG
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