Refillable ink cartridges - for HP printers                                                                      Updated November 2008

Most HP (original) printer cartridges with printhead are quite easy to refill and there is no need for refillable cartridges.
You can find refill kits for HP #15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 41, 49, 56, 57, 58, 59, 78, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97,
99 and more...here.

Some of the more recent individual cartridges with separate print head (eg. # 02, 10, 11, 12, 82, 88) are much harder
to fill. These cartridges come fitted with "ink level" IC chips. When a new (full) cartridge is fitted, printer reads a code,
that is on the chip and records it.  As the ink cartridge is used,  the printer software works out how much ink is left in 
it. When a cartridge is almost out of ink,  the printer is programmed to display an error message and stop printing. 

If you refill one of these ink cartridges, the printer remembers it (as empty) and will not accept it. Even if you refill the
cartridge before it is empty, it makes zero difference. The chip will still go "empty" at the same rate, regardless of the
actual ink level. There is no relationship between how much ink is in the cartridge and the displayed (chip) ink level. 

Some model HP printers give you the option of switching off the ink monitoring, others don't. If you switch the monitor
off, you can keep printing,  but have to be careful not to run out of ink. The printer will keep printing, even when the ink
cartridges are empty. This can overheat the printhead and result in premature failure. Printheads aren't cheap...

Fortunately, you can now buy HP compatible (not made by HP) ink cartridges, designed for refilling. They are easy to
fill and come fitted with "always full" automatic resetting ink level chips (ARC). There's no need for chip resetter or any
software. "Ink gauge" in the software is disabled when ARC cartridges are fitted and you have to check the cartridges
to see how much ink you have. The cartridges are transparent, so it's no hassle to take a look every now and again or
top them up when you feel they might be getting low.

If you own a HP printer using any of the # 02, 10, 11, 12, 82 or 88 series cartridges and are looking for an affordable ink
alternative to HP original ink cartridges, consider the refillables. You will be impressed...  
  
              
Refilling Hp ink cartridge doesn't get any easier - than:

   1) Pull out a rubber plug
   2) Inject ink (using syringe) to 3/4 full
   3) Replace the plug ...and continue printing

Refill friendly ink cartridges are now available for many HP printers, including:

- Photosmart 3110, 3310, 8230 (using # 02 cartridges) Read note below!
- Business Inkjet 1000, 1100, 1200, 1700, 2000, 2230, 2250, 2280, 2300, 2500, 2600, 2800, 3000 (using #10,  11 & 12) 
- DesignJet 500, 800, 820 (using #10 & #82 cartridges)
- OfficeJet Pro K550, K5300, K5400, L7500, L7580, K8600,  (using # 18 or 88 cartridges) 
- Officejet K850, 9100, 9110, 9120, 9130 (using #10 & 11 cartridges)

Note: The # 02 cartridges also fit HP Photosmart C5180, C6160, D6180, C6270, D7160, C7180, D7360 and more...but 
few people have had issues with the C5180, C6180 & C7180 printers. Photosmart C3110, C3310 and 8230 are ok. Not
sure about 6160, 6270, 7160 or 7360 at this stage.   

 Some features:

• Very easy to fill, using just a syringe and a drawing-up (blunt) needle
• Fill hole and plug already in place - no drilling necessary
• Compatible "always full" or "auto-reset" chip fitted
• "No sponge" construction prevents air locks and foaming up of ink
• See through design lets you see exactly how much ink there is inside
• Refill in or out of printer