Cartridge shelf life

[XabbaRus]

I have a whole bunch of HP design jet cartridges that have never been taken out of their sealed packets.

The oldest has the date Aug 2002 on it the rest Aug 2004

I want to sell them. They are exactly as new never been used. What is the shelf life for a cartridge?

[NeonSamurai]

A couple of years on average if still in their original packaging. Which means technically all yours are well beyond their normal shelf life of about 2 years.

This isn't to say that they won't work any more, but their life expectancy may be reduced if they do work.

http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/printer-ink-cartridges/printer-cartridge-life.html

[Kaleun]

hi,

Speaking as a Qualified HP engineer, the above poster is correct but if you do open the packets to use them, the true barometer is the yellow cartridge (or if a tri-colour single cartridge, the yellow in the image that it produces) - HP have noted that the yellow is the colour that deterioates the most with age - it has a nasty habit of turning brown!

Hope this helps

[XabbaRus]

They are for a designjet 450 plotter.

I was wondering if it would be worth cracking open a cartridge and seeing what colour the ink is when it comes out.

I have a yellow one.