Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

[theengel]

Does anyone know of the formatters for DJ 510/500/800 will work with each other. I'm specifically working on a 510, and wonder if the 500 formatter will work in it.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

Are you talking about the electronics module, or the actual formatter like you find in a 800 (that plugs into the electronics module?) Although there is an actual formatter for the 500, I've never seen one.

Assuming you mean the electronics module, you can only use a like EMOD from another printer; i.e. if you have a 42" 500, you can only use another EMOD from a 42" 500. The exception to this is the 510; that EMOD will work in either the 24 or 42" 510.. but I'm fairly certain you can't put a 500 EMOD in a 510. Could always try it though.

Kiran

[theengel]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

No--I'm talking about the actual formatter.

I have a customer with a bad formatter. I tried to explain to him that he could use it without the formatter, but he wants to buy one anyway. It looks like China is selling the 500 formatters for a hundred bucks, but the 510 formatter is more than twice as much. And yeah, the 800 has the hard drive.

Actually, what I ought to do, is get a 500 module, and turn their 510 module into a 500 by installing it into a 500. Then I can probably go ahead with the 500 formatter.

[theengel]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

The 500 formatter makes the printer a GL2 printer.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

Oh, you're talking about the HPGL/2 accessory card C7772A? I know those can be swapped around freely between 500 and 800s. I'd assume it's the same case with the 510.

I think I have one if you need one.

Kiran

[theengel]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

BTW - it's my understanding that you can use an EMOD from another machine, but that you have to program it from the service station. So if you put a 800 EMOD, it'll reprogram it from the ISS information. I only say that because I had one from an 800, putting it into a 500, and accidentally told the machine that I was installing an ISS instead of an EMOD, which screwed up everything.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

I misspoke; the 800 includes HPGL2 so you wouldn't add the accessory card to it.

Kiran

[Kiran Otter]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

BTW - it's my understanding that you can use an EMOD from another machine, but that you have to program it from the service station. So if you put a 800 EMOD, it'll reprogram it from the ISS information. I only say that because I had one from an 800, putting it into a 500, and accidentally told the machine that I was installing an ISS instead of an EMOD, which screwed up everything.

Yes, you can use the EMOD from another printer as long as it's the same width model. But I believe the front panel only prompts you regarding whether you changed the EMOD or ISS if it's a new EMOD (or ISS.) If it's a used one, it doesn't prompt you. I could be wrong.. it's been ages since I dealt with the logic of it. I know LPS sells them specifically based on the model and width.

If nothing else, I just want anyone else who comes along reading this to understand that it's not something you can freely swap around willy-nilly.

Kiran

[theengel]

Re: Designjet 500/510/800 formatters

Just to document this:

I got a formatter from a 500, and tried it on the 510. I got an 05:09 error--which more less means I've got the wrong one installed. For the 510, you have to use CH336-67001. They're not readily available. The only person in the states I could find selling one was designjetpartsfast.com.