82162A Printer contrast Message #1 Posted by Tom F on 25 Jan 2006, 9:58 a.m.
I have an 82143A and 82162A printer. The 82162 printer functions OK but the print quality is not the same as my 82143 printer. The 82143 printer prints very nicely on fresh Office Max thermal paper with very dark printing in the DARK setting. The printing starts to 'bleed out' a bit at that setting so it is too dark and I usually print at about setting 3. The 82162 printer prints much lighter. When set to the highest setting, the print intensity of the 82162 is more equivalent to the #1 setting ,or less, of the 82143 printer. The physical condition of the 82162 is excellent and mechanically operates quite well with no unusual noises. Also, there is not a great deal of difference between any of the settings for intensity on the 82162. In fact, it appears to be the same intensity on settings 1, 3, and 5. It is ever so slightly lighter on settings 2 and 4 which also appear to be about the same between the two. One more thing to note is that the rightmost character position is lighter than the rest.
Is there anything to be done about print intensity of the 82162?
Can I (should I) swap the print head or mechanism form the 82143 into the other as I prefer to use the IL version? Is that terribly difficult/risky?
I searched through the archives and found some info suggesting that the platen backing up the paper might be able to be adjusted to increase the print density of the outermost characters and I was curious if this could be a fix here? I looked at that and it appears to float nicely behind the printhead much like it does on the 82143 but that is all I have to compare to I don't know if it should have more pressure.
Does anyone know of any electronic reasons for this difference? Are there any adjustments to the circuitry possible? All the pixels are present and of equal intensity.
I haven’t taken anything apart yet to look furhter. I was looking for some sage advice first.
Thanks,
Tom
|