Epson Apex-80 - Manual (Page 121)

brush or cloth, and never use alcohol or a thinner to clean the printer
because it could damage the print head and the case.
Do not spray the inside of the printer with oil: unsuitable oils can
damage the mechanism. If lubrication is needed, call the toll-free Epson
number: 1-800421-5426.
The print head
Be particularly careful with the print head. Never move it when the
printer is turned on. When the printer is printing, the print head
becomes hot. If you need to change the ribbon or load continuous
paper, turn the printer off and wait for a few minutes while the print
head cools down.
Each pin on the print head should last about 200 million strokes.
When the print head fails, one or more of the pins may fire erratically
or stop firing completely, making the printout patchy. If this happens
suddenly or long before the expected lifetime is over, the problem is
almost certainly connected with another component of the printer.
Replacing the print head
As soon as the print head fails, stop using the printer and obtain a
replacement head; either see your dealer or call the 800 number for
information on where to purchase one. The catalog number is #8732.
To replace the head, follow these steps:
1. Turn the printer OFF
2. If the printer has been recently used, the print head will be hot. Let
it cool.
3. Open the printer lid.
4. Remove the ribbon.
5. Release the head lock levers. (See Figure C-1.)
C-1O Problem Solving and Maintenance