MP301 PCU's failing constantly

[Keegan Chetty]

Hi all

Just wanted to find out if anyone has had PCU's failing without reaching yield? for the past couple years now I've noticed this and we have easily replaced over 200 failed units with different issues like stripped gears but mainly background, has anyone found a fix for this? We've tried using 201 PCU's but it still does the same thing, toners are original but I have noticed that they are manufactured in France AND USA. These machines are low mileage, thanks for your assistance.

[Codex]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

Hello... We have the same issue with our Mp171 and Mp201.... They don't reach the yield.... After 15k they spill out toner.... We have new units now, ricoh original.. But instead Made in France... They are Made in china....

Inviato dal mio SM-G935F utilizzando Tapatalk

[anothertech]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

We have been having a lot of D1272110 PCU's failing at around 20,000 copies. Quite a few are locking up with SC500 displayed. No cure in sight.

[fshead]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

We have been having a lot of D1272110 PCU's failing at around 20,000 copies. Quite a few are locking up with SC500 displayed. No cure in sight.

I dont see a lot of mp171 to mp301 series but my theory goes back to the type 220/type 1027 drums where the drum gets a bit weak and the machine tries to add more toner to get blacker blacks..As we all know this bad design developer has no room for extra toner so it leaks or binds up and wipes out the auger roller gears....
When one sees a great drum/developer unit the mpc3300 and up up it makes me wonder how did i choose the b/w drum design..Maybe too much SAKE at
lunch.............

[slimslob]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

I dont see a lot of mp171 to mp301 series but my theory goes back to the type 220/type 1027 drums where the drum gets a bit weak and the machine tries to add more toner to get blacker blacks..As we all know this bad design developer has no room for extra toner so it leaks or binds up and wipes out the auger roller gears....
When one sees a great drum/developer unit the mpc3300 and up up it makes me wonder how did i choose the b/w drum design..Maybe too much SAKE at
lunch.............

One of the things I have encountered with the Type 220 and Type 1027 drums dumping toner is that the exit hole for toner from the recycling auger becomes clogged with paper lint and dust bunnies.

With the smaller entry level machine like the 161, etc is the opening between the mixing auger and the auger below the development roller becomes clogged causing developer to stack up at the back end of the mixing auger. Most often this will strip the gear on augers to strip, the gear on the development roller to round out of the inside or occasionally stall the motor. I discovered the clog ever time I got a motor stall SC. Clear it and run developer mixing got the PCU functional. On the average these entry level PCU generally fail at about 50%.

[FrohnB]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

301 PCDU's you are lucky to get 15 - 20k. We have never had a single one go to yield (even the ones shipped with machine). We would cut a pin off the frame of the 301 machine to get the 1515's to fit, and those always went to yield or above, BUT now you can't get Ricoh original 1515's, and the aftermarket ones (were good for a year or so) but now are the 301 style (but shipped in a 1515 box with a sheet that tells you they will fit multiple models).

[keithxxiii]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

I do yield approvals on our system...and yes, when I see a tech's request @30K, I approve it. It is a rare scenario where the yield gets close to 45K.

[copier tech]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

301 PCDU's you are lucky to get 15 - 20k. We have never had a single one go to yield (even the ones shipped with machine). We would cut a pin off the frame of the 301 machine to get the 1515's to fit, and those always went to yield or above, BUT now you can't get Ricoh original 1515's, and the aftermarket ones (were good for a year or so) but now are the 301 style (but shipped in a 1515 box with a sheet that tells you they will fit multiple models).

Interesting can you provide a part number please?

I find the 301 PCDU don't hit PM life on low volume machines higher volume they do reach end of life.

[FrohnB]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

Interesting can you provide a part number please?

I find the 301 PCDU don't hit PM life on low volume machines higher volume they do reach end of life.

The 301’s are D1272110.
The 1515’s from Ricoh were 411844, and that’s still how we have them inventoried. The aftermarket number is 02069029 on barcode (don’t remember where we get them from). On that same tag it says 411844/D1272110. We know they are the 301 style because of the filter on top of the face plate.

EDIT: they are from NA trading

[Oze]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

The most recent batch of MP301 pcdu seem to have a dev issue as well.
The dev locks up and cause a noise in the machine.
So..not only don't they meet their yield...if you take a replacement pcdu out there's no guarantee that THAT will work either.

[slimslob]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

The most recent batch of MP301 pcdu seem to have a dev issue as well.
The dev locks up and cause a noise in the machine.
So..not only don't they meet their yield...if you take a replacement pcdu out there's no guarantee that THAT will work either.

The worm gear on the motor may have caused worn spots on one or more of the gears it drives. If so, you will need to replace the worn gears and possibly the motor.

[luca72]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

Hi all

Just wanted to find out if anyone has had PCU's failing without reaching yield? for the past couple years now I've noticed this and we have easily replaced over 200 failed units with different issues like stripped gears but mainly background, has anyone found a fix for this? We've tried using 201 PCU's but it still does the same thing, toners are original but I have noticed that they are manufactured in France AND USA. These machines are low mileage, thanks for your assistance.

I confirm that even here in Italy we have the same problem, my boss feels that he often complains about the poor durability of the pcdu of this series, I state that that band of machines generally follows them my colleague, I generally follow bigger machines, as soon as I get a replacement / consumed pcdu, I will give it a look to deepen the discussion

[Mr Magic]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

Hi all

Just wanted to find out if anyone has had PCU's failing without reaching yield? for the past couple years now I've noticed this and we have easily replaced over 200 failed units with different issues like stripped gears but mainly background, has anyone found a fix for this? We've tried using 201 PCU's but it still does the same thing, toners are original but I have noticed that they are manufactured in France AND USA. These machines are low mileage, thanks for your assistance.

Yeah, I noticed that too buddy! Try having a word with Ricoh. They may be able to accept returns as pre-consumable life failure. They often leak loads!!

[Oze]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

The worm gear on the motor may have caused worn spots on one or more of the gears it drives. If so, you will need to replace the worn gears and possibly the motor.

We fefurb the motors usually Slim so we have a fair few sitting here we can "quickly" replace if need be.
The new pcdu that I fitted to the machine didn't actually sit properly...it wouldn't latch in place and you feel it trying to push forward.
a drum from a working machine went straight in but this particular new drum wouldn't sit right and made a squeal.
Ordered a replacement and it went right in no problem.

[Klydon]

Re: MP301 PCU's failing constantly

The PCDU's for these machines were junk from day one and it doesn't matter if you use the D1272110 or the 411844 number. I use the 411844 PCDU when I can because it is cheaper than the D1272110. I have a ton of these machines I have to deal with on a daily basis.

Part of the issue is the machine has a lower threshold of pain tolerance when it comes to volume. The machine is rated for 2k normal and 5k max a month. I have some running as much as 10k a month. I don't see the machines that run low volume much at all (say 500 a month). Drum yields for me have been higher in those models, but not close to 45k.

So here are some time saving tips I have developed over the years in dealing with these machines.

Unless you were just at a given machine, take a PCDU in with you because most likely, you are going to need it. It would not hurt to take in a hot roller with you either. Although the yield is supposed to be 90k on those, they don't come close to that either. We joke locally about a 301 PM being a PCDU and a hot roller.

If a machine is squealing, that is a sure sign a PCDU has either just been replaced recently or is on the verge of going out. The issue is the transfer roller bushings have gotten an excess amount of toner in them and are squealing. Pull the transfer roller off, clean the shafts and bushings, lightly lube, put it back on. Chances are the rest of the machine is in the process of "pigging out" in toner. If the PCDU was just replaced and this comes up, likely the tech before you didn't clean and lube the transfer roller.

Pull the PCDU out and look under it. If you see a puddle of developer, the PCDU is on the verge of failure (or has already failed). Replace it if you don't want to return in the very near future.

If the customer reports the machine is asking for toner and they replaced it, but it is still asking for toner, then you need a new PCDU. On rare occasion, you might have an issue with the toner hopper, but the money bet is the PCDU is bad.

When replacing a PCDU on a machine in the toner end condition, make sure you do SP 2-929 (toner end condition clear). If you do not, the first thing the machine is going to do when you close everything up is try to add toner because it thinks it is out of toner. That is the last thing you want to have happen with a new PCDU in the machine. Basically do 2-929 then close the doors up, then do developer initialization.

Good luck and it won't be too soon for these suckers to finally die out although I have to admit I am not sure what my day would be like without a pile of 301 calls to deal with.