Hello friends, Is it possible to command Epson L1800 to head clean using Arduino?
I researched a lot on this topic but no luck, I learn about some libraries controlling thermal printers but not ink jet. I even asked ChatGPT, but no reliable information. Your help is very appreciated. Thank you 
Not likely.
Sending printable text to a printer is one thing. Controlling it is very different. That's built into the printer driver in the Pc. You need that code and convert it to C##.
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Printers that work in Windows, OS-X, or Linux normally have a driver with the actual communication with the printer un-published.
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how to use Espon L1800 with arduino?
You can use an Arduino to control an Epson L1800 printer using a serial port connection. You will need to make a physical connection between the Arduino and the printer using a Serial-to-USB cable. Once the connection is established, you can use the Arduino Serial library to send and receive data from the printer. For example, you could send commands to the printer to print a page, change the paper size, or adjust the printing quality.
can it be use to head clean?
Yes, you can use an Arduino to head clean an Epson L1800 printer. You will need to connect the Arduino to the printer's control board using a serial port connection. You can then use the Arduino Serial library to send commands to the printer to initiate a head cleaning cycle.
Describe the steps?
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Connect the Arduino to the Epson L1800 printer using a Serial-to-USB cable.
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Load the appropriate Arduino code onto the Arduino board.
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Use the Arduino Serial library to send commands to the printer to initiate a head cleaning cycle.
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Monitor the printer's response to the head cleaning cycle and verify that the process was successful.
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Disconnect the Arduino from the printer and power off the printer.
Explain the command used in step 3?
The exact command used in step 3 will depend on the type of Epson L1800 printer you are using. Generally, you would use the “Head Cleaning” command to initiate a head cleaning cycle. This command can be sent to the printer in a variety of formats, depending on the printer model. For example, some models require the command to be sent in hexadecimal format, while others may require the command to be sent in ASCII format. Refer to the printer’s documentation for more information on the exact command format to use.
This is what chatGPT responded, since Im new to arduino I dont know if this is correct. Would you mind checking the answer? Thanks a lot 
Hello pal, thank you so much for answering. Would you please help me with the below post? Much appreciated 
Follow the quoted advice. What's the difficult point?
Likely not possible, the only port shown in the L1800 printer manual is a USB port, and that is not a USB HOST port, so the Serial-to-USB cable will not work. It might be possible to use a USB host shield with an arduino to connect to the printer.
Can you explain the use for this? You would need to disconnect the USB cable from the printer, connect the cable from the Arduino, clean the head, then disconnect/reconnect the cables again. There is a menu function in the printer for cleaning the heads that would seem to be less trouble.
Actually, my print head clogs a lot because of very dry weather. So in order to keep my print head from clogging, I need to either print or head clean after every 6 hours. I can achieve this using some software but for that I need to keep the PC and printer on 24/7 which is very power inefficient, and doing this manually is not possible. So I thought if Arduino could do this. I'm aware that Raspberry Pi can pull this off, but then again, it's so expensive.
The problem is that I'm not sure if the advice is actually achievable since it was generated by an AI. So I was wondering whether this would work.
I've not heard about a yone managing this? Look at reply #8.
Probably easier to use a humidifier in the room with the printer, especially if you consider the price of ink.
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Do you regularly clean the pad where the head is parked?
Buy a used Kyocera laser -printer for $50 and the problem does no longer exist.
Choose a kyocera-printer with big "black-powder-tank (12000 pages) which cost $30 if refilled. costs for printing 3000 cent / 12000 pages = 0,25 cent per page
Checking if ChatGPT is right or wrong
classic googling (or duckduck go)
comes up with this
press strg-f
enter the word "serial"
second hit page 116
Telling you this
chatGPT is a probability-machine. That does chatting (not programming)
ChatGPT-Code only works if chatGPT is able to find a probability of 100%
if the probability drops below 100,00000 % the code is just chatting not programming.
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