FAQ's for the Model 280 Printers
Table of Contents
Where can I order paper?
Paper can be ordered online through our TransAct Supplies website at www.transactsupplies.com.
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Do you offer a repair service?
Yes, we offer repair of the Model 280 printer at one of Repair Centers in and outside the United States. Pleas use our convenient RMA web form. Click here.
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What communication interface do I have?
The Model 280 printer can be purchased with several different communication interfaces. Please use the below chart to identify which interface your printer has:
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9 pin Serial Interface
Cable Required:
Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 9 pin female.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 10-2020
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36 pin Centronics Parallel Interface
Cable Required:
Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 36 pin Centronics male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800002
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USB Interface
Cable Required:
USB Cable
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 98-04322
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Ethernet Interface
Cable Required:
CAT-5 Ethernet cable
This cable is not available for purchase from us.
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25 pin Parallel Interface
Cable Required:
Parallel Cable, 25 pin male to 25 pin male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800007
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25 pin Serial Interface
Cable Required:
Serial Null Modem Cable, 9 pin female to 25 pin male.
This cable is available for purchase from us.
Item No: 253-9800006
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Caution: The 25 pin Parallel and 25 pin Serial interfaces look exactly the same externally. They both use a 25 pin D-shell connection.
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A closer look will reveal that the electronics on the actual interfaces boards are different. The best way to determine which 25 pin communication interface is present in the printer is to print a configuration listing from the printer. This listing will show either RS232 Serial or P1284 Parallel. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
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What is the difference between parallel and serial communication?
Parallel and serial communications are two distinct ways of getting data from a PC to our printer. Serial communication transmits data on only 2 wires, one for sending and one for receiving one bit at a time. Parallel communication transmits data across multiple wires simultaneously. This provides a faster means of data transmission than serial. A parallel printer must be connected to a parallel port, commonly labeled as an LPT port on a PC. The LPT port should be set for bi-directional, standard, or SPP. A serial printer must be connected to a serial port, commonly labeled as a COM port on a PC. The COM port settings must match the printer serial settings to communicate properly. Please consult your PC’s literature to learn how to change these setting.
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What printer driver should I be using?
The correct printer driver depends on what Operating System you are using. You can find the drivers on our website.Click Here
Why won’t my cash drawer open that is connected to my printer?
The Model 280 printer has an RJ11 cash drawer port for connecting a cash drawer. This port can be hard wired in 3 standard configurations, Ithaca, EPSON, and Star. On the bottom of the printer there is a sticker the will identify which wiring the printer has currently. When purchasing a cash drawer, the correct cash drawer cable for this specified wiring configuration must be ordered. Cash drawer cables are not available from TransAct. Once you have the correct cable, you will still need to send the correct cash drawer command code to the printer to open the drawer. The cash drawer code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Ithaca PCOS
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cash Drawer 1 [ESC] x 1 27 120 1 1B 78 01
Cash Drawer 2 [ESC] x 2 27 120 2 1B 78 02
EPSON
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cash Drawer 1 [ESC] p 0 27 112 0 1B 70 00
Cash Drawer 2 [ESC] p 1 27 112 1 1B 70 01
Star
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cash Drawer 1 [BEL] 7 07
Cash Drawer 2 [SUB] 26 1A
Microline
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cash Drawer 1 [BEL] 7 07
Cash Drawer 2 [BS] 8 08
The printer will cut the paper when the printer receives the cut command from the system. This command code depends on the Emulation Mode the printer is in. This can be determined by printing a configuration listing. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing. The follow are the codes for the common Emulation Modes:
Ithaca PCOS
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cut [ESC] v 27 118 1B 76
EPSON
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cut [ESC] i 27 105 1B 69
Star
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cut [ESC] d 0 27 100 0 1B 64 00
Microline
ASCII DECIMAL HEX
Cut [EM] 25 19
When I print to my Model 280 printer nothing prints?
The Model 280 printer is a thermal printer that requires thermal paper. Verify the paper you are using is thermal paper. Make sure the paper is loaded properly. To load paper, simple drop the paper roll into the printer with the paper coming from the bottom of the roll. Pull the paper out a little bit, and close the lid. Printer should cut the paper, and be ready to print. (No error LED, just solid Green LED) Verify you have selected the correct communication port on the system. If the printer has a serial port, make sure you are connected to the serial port of the PC with a serial null-Modem cable. Verify that the configuration settings of the printer are set to the correct Emulation Mode and communication settings for your system. See Manual Configuration for how to print out this listing.
Fax: 203.949.9048
