TechNote:	3860-01
Product Line:	3810/3840, 3870, 3860/3880
Description:	There are differences between the ribbons
Date:	02-03-2005

Issue / Symptom:

Which ribbons can be used in which printers?

Solution/Action:

Ribbon Drive Spindle Height 3810/3840 Series models = 24.1 mm (approx 0.95 inch) 3860/3870/3880 Series models = 19.6 mm (approx 0.77 inch) Due to the ribbon drive spindle height differences the 3810/3840 ribbons (3A0100B02/B03) will NOT function properly in 3860/3870/3880 printer models and will exhibit inadequate ribbon advance. Ribbon Motion Detector The 3860 and 3880 printers have a ribbon motion detector and the ONLY ribbons that will function with this printer are the 3A1600B21/B22 which have a detector flag (white disc with metal strap visible on the bottom of the ribbon cartridge). Due to the required ribbon motion detector the 3810/3840 ribbons (3A0100B02/B03) and the 3870 ribbons (3A1600B01/B02) will NOT function properly in a 3860/3880 printer. The 3860/3880 printers will stop printing and display a "Fault:RibbonErr" if an incorrect or defective ribbon is installed. What Ribbon Cartridge Will Work In My Printer? 3810/3840 Model Printers 3A0100B02/B03 (Recommended - White Label with Black Text) 3A1600B01/B02 3A1600B21/B22 3870 Model Printers 3A1600B01/B02 (Recommended - Black Label with White Text) 3A1600B21/B22 3860/80 Model Printers 3A1600B21/B22 (Recommended - Black Label with White Text) Complete 3800 Series Model Listing 3810/3840 Model Printers 3810 3812 3820 3830 3840 3842 3910 3914 3940 3944 3870 Model Printers 3870 3972 3974 3860/3880 Model Printers 3860 3880

Additional Notes/Comments:

Specifications subject to change without notice. ® All trademarks are property of their respective holders at the time of this publication.