Recharger Magazine

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Remanufacturing Instructions Ricoh AP3800C Color Toner Cartridges

By Jeff Russell
Dec 01, 2002

As the world’s fastest color laser printer, the Ricoh AP3800C was awarded five stars.

The revolutionary Ricoh AP3800C offers a color output of 28 pages per minute (ppm) and a black-and-white output of 38 ppm. For high-quality (1200 x 1200 dpi) printing under pressure, it’s unbeatable. It’s also extremely cost effective with a competitive cost per copy in color and black and white.

"Exceptional. Low cost, high-speed color network printer, delivering good quality office color output at higher speeds than its more expensive rivals. High levels of paper handling and finishing coupled with fast mono printing makes the AP3800C a suitable alternative to a corporate network mono device."

Overall, the AP3800C is perfectly positioned for high-performance, low-cost network color printing.

Remanufacturing Instructions

Step 1: Remove the clear tape and label prior to opening the cartridge. Carefully insert the flat blade and unlatch the panels. See Figure 1. Continue the process down the side. See Figure 1A.

Step 2: Once the cartridge is opened, carefully slide out the toner pouch and valve assembly. See Figure 2.

Note: Be careful with the empty outer cartridge that contains the chip.

Once the cartridge is filled with toner the chip on the Ricoh 3800 printer will function as if it were a new cartridge. See Figure 2A.

Step 3: If the cartridge has been exposed to heat and/or moisture, it would be advisable to vacuum out the residual toner. Test the valve action at this point to ensure movement is not restricted in any way. See Figure 3.

Step 4: Carefully peel back and remove the breather vent. See Figure 4.

Step 5: Fill with 550g of black toner through the breather vent. Fill with 230g for the cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges using the same procedure. See Figure 5.

If the breather filter is damaged in the process of removal, you can replace the filter breather with a coffee filter. Cut out a 7/8-inch circle and use an adhesive ring to affix the filter to the plastic toner pouch. It is not necessary to clean the valve assembly. See Figure 5A.