Whirpool has developed a new fridge that only tells you when the filter
really needs to be replaced. It has a differential pressure guage and
does random sampling to make sure the purity level is within spec. When
it detects something odd in the water, it uses a built in internet
connection to connect with the Whirlpool testing and engineering
department for further analyis and, if the levels are bad, they will
give you a personal phone call to explain it to you and let you know you
need a new filter and where to buy one. This additional stuff makes the
refrigerator cost about $2000 more than the other ones. But for you
people who don't think the 6 month timer is good enough and ends up
wasting filters, maybe this new fridge is for you. Perhaps in about 60
years it would pay for itself in filter savings.



Wayne Boatwright wrote:
On Thu 15 Sep 2005 02:12:20p, harold balls wrote in alt.home.repair:


On 15 Sep 2005 13:41:24 +0200, Wayne Boatwright
wrote:


On Thu 15 Sep 2005 03:17:33a, harold balls wrote in alt.home.repair:


On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 17:17:49 -0400, "Amun"

wrote:

"harold balls" wrote in message
om...

On Tue, 13 Sep 2005 18:11:06 -0400, harold balls
wrote:


Yellow all,
Wonder if anyone had the same experience. I have a
sears
side by side refrigerator I bought about three years ago. Paid

around

$1200 to $1300 for it. It works good but I don't understand the

water

filtration system thats on this unit. It has the filter at the

bottom

behind the grill. When you open the refrig. door , it has a bank of
led's towards the top. One of them says its time to change the water
filter. This happens about every six months. I just hit reset and it
goes back to "good". I know this is nothing more than a programed
chip telling that light to come on every six months. Here is what i
don't get. I can take the water filter completely out of the unit

and

the water dispenser still works! and it does not leak in the
recepticle the filter came out of. Now how in the hell is this
filter, filtering any water? From my experience, When A water filter
starts to "go bad" you will notice a decrease in flow the worst it
gets. I've had the same filter in since I bought it and have not
notice any reducing in flow or any difference in taste. (Sears wants
about $40 for anew filter, but I see you can get them on the web for
about $25.) I called Sears up one time to question them about this,
and the lady said all she can do is send someone out on a service
call to look at it. (which I would have to pay for). I've been
waiting to run into a service guy out and about to cross examine him
about this, but haven't run into any yet.) BTW( i have city water,
which the taste issue wouldn't be as noticable probably). Has anyone
else who has a sears side by side with a water filter noticed or
experienced this situation? Water filter replacement is a big
business. Thanks for any input!!


I suppose most of you guys are probably right, but it just seems a
little fishy to me. The flow rate stays the same with the filter
removed. It must have a by-pass built in. Maybe my water feeding it

is

pretty good to start with. I'm going to have to buy a new filter and
then cut open the old one. This might tell me something. Thanks for
all your input


Wait a second here?????

You take out the filter and leave the housing completely open and it
still works fine ?

Or you pull out the filter media, put it back together without it and

it

still works ?


AMUN


I can take the filter completely out of the housing and the water
dispenser works like filter was in there. The flow rate out of the
dispenser is the same with or without the filter in. So, something
molded on the end of the filter appearently engages the bypass valve
when you put the filter in the housing. Water comes out of the filter
when I have it in my hand. My whole point about this was this light
that comes on every six months telling you to chnage the filter. If
you do not notice any reduction in flow or how the water taste. then
there is no need to change this filter, no matter what that light
says. Thats what the scam is. That is not some hi-tech filter thats
going to remove every contaminant there is. When the filter starts
going bad you will notice it. After 3 and 1/2 years mine appearently
has not reached this point. good day.


There's no scam, fuzznuts.

The type of filter you're describing is just an activated charcoal filter
to improve water taste. It is not particulate filter which can possibly
cause a slow down in flow if filled with particulates.

If you don't notice a change in water taste, then don't change it. The
properties of activated charcoal do limit its effective life. Normally

it

holds up well for a year. The manufacturer is being conservative with 6
months. Higher use can, of course, shorten its effective life.

The manufacturer is probably using an elapsed time circuit because it's
cheaper. Ideally, they would use a volume meter to determine how many
gallons of water has been used. There is an optimal maximum of gallons
where the filter will be effective. A volume meter/circuit would
definitely cost more.

It's the same deal with the Brita water pitchers. There is a resettable
timer on the lid that cycles after 1 month to indicate when to change the
filter. Usage is based on an "average" volume of water. There is,
however, a notation in the instructions stating how many pitcher refills
one should be able to use before changing the filter.

Do what you want, but it is not a scam. I bet there is a similar
statement in the refrigerator operating instructions, if you bothered to
read them.

Wayne, not to be argumentive but from this website:
http://www.fridgefilters.com/whirlpo...s-4396508.html
Whirlpool 4396508 Filter Life

The Whirlpool 4396508 Filter should be replaced:

Every 6 months or
When the filter change indicator light comes on or
If the refrigerator has not been used for more than two weeks (for
instance, during a move) or
If you notice a decrease in the flow of water or objectionable tastes
in the water or ice.

The above statement seems to indicate that the above filter can get
plugged up to the point of effecting water flow. This would probably
go along with noticing a bad taste.
The view i'm leaning to is that unless you see a reduction in flow
rate or notice a change in taste, there is no need to replace the
filter. Money is not an issue. If User wants to replace his filter
whenever that little light tells him its time to do so, more power to
him. It will keep the economy moving. Good day

fuzznuts


LOL! I hear you. Actually, I don't disagree with you at all. I was only
pointing out the premise of their recommendation. Let's just say that the
indicator light is for "dummies" and it's probably best that people who
don't have a clue follow the prescribed recommendation. For those who can
perceive the difference in flow and/or taste, then that is probably the
best guide.

As to the "two week" recommendation, that is as much for health reasons and
CYA as anything else. When the filter doesn't have a frequent flow, in
certain environments it is possible for bacteria or other organic
contaminants to multiply.

Back in the late 1960s, the Heater Division of Eaton Corp. developed one of
the first activated charcoal water filters for residential contertop use.
The activiated charcoal cartridge in this filter was significantly larger
than any of those currently installed in refrigerators. Their general
recommendation in their literature was to change the cartridge annually.

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers!