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!!

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 have one of those refrigerators. The filters do work. I can taste
the difference. If I am not mistaken, your refrigerator is a Kenmore
branded Whirlpool. You can get the filters at either Lowes or Home
Depot with the Whirlpool brand and they are a little cheaper. I can't
remember which store has them but one of them doesn't.

As far as things still working with the filter removed... there is
obviously some kind of bypass valve in there.

And as far as the life of your filter... they are probably charcoal
filters and they eventually reach their lifetime. Or, they can build up
bacteria or whatever else. Do you really want to drink water that goes
through a filter full of crud? Even if it doesn't clog up, you should
still replace them periodically.

"harold balls" wrote in message
...
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!!

Well, I would say there's a built in bypass valve. You wouldn't want water
streaming out when you replaced the filter now would you? As for reduced
flow, well that may be hard to tell considering the flow is prett reduced
anyway to begin with. The light on the unit is based on the # of times the
door is opened. Not very accurate I suppose, but then the application
doesn't need it. If you don't want filtration, then take the filter out and
leave it out. If you doubt that its working, cut the filter open.

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!!

If you don't want filtered water then leave it out. There is a
drip-proof valve that closes when the filter is removed. This is so you
don't have to shut off the water supply and drain the lines in order to
replace the filter. Mr. Coffee has been doing it for years, pull out the
pot while its brewing and the flow stops. Isn't too complicated actually.

hvacrmedic

"harold balls" wrote in message
...
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!!


You got it right on all the points, no argument from me.

Had to laugh when I saw some of the new faucet water filters that have the
same type of light to tell you to change those too.

The cars are the same now.
Lots of lights in dashboards go off at timed intervals WARNING the driver
it's time to service something.


Lordy, how did we ever know when it was time to change a filter or drain oil
or have the brakes checked in years gone by.


BTW if you think the water filters are a scam, take a look at home air
cleaners nowadays.

Hooo boy $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ when that crap piece of 20 cent corrugated paper
gets a bit dirty.,....but it's a "HEPA" filter LOL

oh,.......and don't even get me started on ink jet computer printers that
you $20.00 to buy, but $70.00 each month for replacement ink.
I'll save that rant for another post.


AMUN

Question for the experts: Is it the number of times the door is
opened, as someone stated above? Or the amount of water flow through
the filter?

I have NYC tap water which is pretty good, and my practice has been to
replace the filter every OTHER time it says to (in other words, tell it
that I replaced the filter, don't replace it, then replace it the next
time it says to).

"Shaun Eli" wrote in message
oups.com...
Question for the experts: Is it the number of times the door is
opened, as someone stated above? Or the amount of water flow through
the filter?

I have NYC tap water which is pretty good, and my practice has been to
replace the filter every OTHER time it says to (in other words, tell it
that I replaced the filter, don't replace it, then replace it the next
time it says to).


From what I recall on my Whirlpool manual, it's based on door openings.

"harold balls" wrote in message

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.)

You may be fortunate and have very good water to start with. I could not
get away so easily. OTOH, I'd not spend that much money on a locked in
business like that. I have an in-line filter that I can change for about
$10.

I have one like that. I waited over a year to change it the first
time. The new filter took 22 seconds to fill a 16 oz water bottle.
The old filter took 45 seconds to fill the same water bottle.

I bought one Sears filter and didn't like the price so when the new
filter needing replacing, I removed the refrigerator filter and added
a pair of whole house water filters to the input line. I like
changing them much better. $$







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!!

filter light is based on 6 months or 300 gallons, whichever comes first

"MadonnaC" wrote in message
oups.com...
filter light is based on 6 months or 300 gallons, whichever comes first


My Whirlpool, which appears to have the same filter setup, didn't go off
until nearly a year later.

newer refrigerators are timed for 6 months, older ones for 12 months

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

"harold balls" wrote in message
...
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

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


"harold balls" wrote in message
.. .
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.

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.

WRONG! After a while the filter builds up contaminants. All that bad
stuff that you are getting rid of in the water ends up stuck in the
filter and all the water you drink is then being filtered not only by
the filter, but all those contaminants. They can also start to be a
nice bacteria / scum pool after awhile. But, if you want to drink
through a used sweat sock because you are too cheap to replace the
filter now and then then go ahead.

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
. ..
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 Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Okay, okay, I take it back! UnScrew you!

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
...
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

"harold balls" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 17:17:49 -0400, "Amun"
wrote:


"harold balls" wrote in message
.. .
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.


Okay, that was what I thought I read the first time.

And as you point out, if the filter "media" isn't dirty there is no reason
why having it in there or not will make any difference.
If there is nothing to "filter out" a filter can last indefinitely.

Having the warning light on a "door open cycle', or even a "days in use" is
just plain dumb, other than from a "let's sell needless parts" design by the
manufacturers.

But they can offer it as a selling feature too.
The item with the most blinking lights, gets sold first.
Or even a fridge with a filter built in may sell better than one that
doesn't have any filter.
Even to those who have clean water to begin with.

But lets also take into consideration the "idiot consumer" factor.
If a light NEVER came on, and the filter was plugged solid, some idiot would
be ripping the manufacturer apart for selling a filter that they don't know
when to change.
Of course using a simple flow metering valve would be best, but might cost
an extra ten cents per unit to manufacture.

And then there are the ones who need the filter only for it's charcoal
taste/odor component (if it has it)
eg, those who take one glass of water every three years, and then complain
it tastes or smells like plastic after sitting in the lines.
When a simpler fix would be to use it once in a while to keep the water
fresh.


As I stated earlier these "warnings" built in to products now are getting
common.

Cars are loaded with them.
(do you really need a light to come on to tell you the gas is getting low ,
right beside the needle that points to "E" ?)
similar lights come on to let you know it's time to check brakes, tune ups,
oil changes whether they really need service or not etc.

And even computer printers tell you to replace ink, often when there is
plenty left.

Even flashlight batteries have little testers built on that often lie as to
the capacity left

AMUN

Our softener works for hard water and I put an in-line filter above
the fridge that has a filter as well. Owners manual says it will work
with filter removed. Light hasn't lit for the 5 years we've had it.
In-line gets annual changing.

On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 06:17:33 -0400, harold balls
wrote:

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.