Wanted - Power Cable/Adaptor for printer

WillowTheWhisp · 04-05-2005, 17:39

I've got a HP deskjet 5650 printer and today the power cable/adaptor has gone kaput. Has anybody got such a thing? I've looked at the HP site and the printer number and adaptor number seem to be no longer relevant.

entwisi · 04-05-2005, 18:24

Willow, On teh old one it should have the voltage and power rating(milliAmps)

Note these down and then get a generic PSU from CPC or Maplin that matches.

Ian

WillowTheWhisp · 04-05-2005, 18:37

It's got a specific end on which actually fits in the back of the printer.

entwisi · 04-05-2005, 18:46

OK, buy the right Voltage/power PSU from wherever and get an enterprising young(or old) person to cut the old plug off and solder onto the new PSU.

Job done!

WillowTheWhisp · 04-05-2005, 18:53

This would happen when we're at our busiest and Busman is still dying of flu.

The flippin thing is a bit weird, by which I mean it's got two different outputs according to what it says: one thingy 32V, one 16V and a weird bit in the middle.

Neil · 04-05-2005, 20:15

I would be tempted to save yourself a fortune in ink and throw it in the bin. HP's are usually very good printers but the ink is far too expensive. Buy something like an Epson Stylus Photo R200 from somewhere like ebuyer

WillowTheWhisp · 04-05-2005, 21:52

Isn't that one where you have to buy individual cartridges for different colours? The cartridges individually may be cheaper but when you add them all up they are more expensive.

entwisi · 05-05-2005, 08:47

The thing to watch with some printers is that the print heads are part of the cartidge where others are fixed. there are pros and cons either way. those with them as part of the cartidge cost more but if you refill them and they eventually block up a new cartridge fixes it. those with seperate are cheaper to buy but if the heads block up it is a lot harder to fix and you can end up buying a new printer.

WillowTheWhisp · 05-05-2005, 13:15

Thanks for the info Ian. Something else to bear in mind next time we replace a printer. Life is a learning curve.

I rather like my "old" printer which isn't really that old anyway. I think it was early last year when we got it. Little things like the paper feed and "out slot" both being at the front are important to me and the size of the actual thing itself because of where it has to fit.

I think I've tracked down an adaptor now. Got the part number confirmed and it should be delivered tomorrow. (With my luck that will probabably be when I'm in Blackburn at the orthodontist with Mimi!)

vorlon24 · 05-05-2005, 13:51

On the subject of ink, I would much rather go for separate cartridges.

I have lost count of the number of times I have thrown a cartridge because only one colour has been used up, and 2 or more of the others have been hardly touched.

entwisi · 05-05-2005, 15:49

Aye Vorlon thats another consideration.

Personally I like HP printers. I've recommended them many times and no-one has ever had any problems with them. I don't seem to get on with Epson printers. Lexmarks always seem to be the 'budget' end of the market to me as well.

vorlon24 · 05-05-2005, 16:13

I saw a Lexmark printer for sale in *cough* PC World *cough* which was quite cheap.

The ink was more expensive than the printer!!!

I have an HP Business Inkjet and an Epson Stylus Photo 830U. And a Brother fax/printer/scanner.

They all seem to chug along quite happily at the moment, but since I changed the magenta cartridge on the Brother, I have purple prints! Can't work out what caused it, so I am at a bit of a loss how to correct it

Neil · 05-05-2005, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Little things like the paper feed and "out slot" both being at the front are important to me

With the paper at the back it makes it easier to print christmas cards

The Epson R200 also makes an excellent job of printing CD and DVD's. It has a little adapter that the disc sits in then you feed it in and hey presto one perfectly printed CD/DVD.

With seperate inks you never throw any away like Vorlon said. So I dont mind if the boys want to print a very blue picture

WillowTheWhisp · 05-05-2005, 17:49

The problem with paper at the back is that I can't get to the back. I've printed cards with mine and they come out fine. OK it does roll them round as they come through but they always end up straight afterwards.

Print CDs? You mean you put the actual CD in the machine? I put labels on mine and yes I know it's supposed to make them wobbly or something but I've never had any problems up to now.

If I ever upgrade to a whole new desk and printer and rearrange my little corner then I'll have to bear all these things in mind.

WillowTheWhisp · 05-05-2005, 17:53

I had a Lexmark once. Once was enough.

They were practically giving them away at "Stationery Box" last year.

I do have a big lump of an Epson thing with all the different ink cartridges but it's too big to fit in my little place.