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CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

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Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#91

Post by ska »

tailspin2019 wrote: post #75

Somewhat related, I recently bought a Brita water filter jug which has a little led on the lid which glows red when the disposable filter cartridge has “expired” and needs replacing. Before I even started to use the thing I knew what to expect. Sure enough it starts to glow red after a ridiculously short period of time of using a brand new filter cartridge. I’ve been ignoring it for a few weeks now and checking for a…

> Any indicator that tells you when a consumable needs

I'm not a fan of the blinking reminders either, but it's not a monitor it's just a flashing version of the "remind me in the months" wheel or whatever.

The problem they face is a hard one. There are really two timelines you care about, one is how long it stays effective, the second is how long it is safe.

The first one especially is highly affected by both usage patterns and the water quality you are starting with. With an inline system I'd sort of hope to have reasonable monitoring, but Brita filters are fundamentally passive devices, to do this "properly" your going to 10x-100x your costs, maybe worse.

A less cynical (than pure profit motive) take on the timing would be that the lifteimes are all based on some sort of average case for usage and (bad?) test case for hardness and water quality. I suspect they have to be careful in what they say about how best to adjust this without opening themselves up to liability, so they don't.

Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#92

Post by lettergram »

tailspin2019 wrote: post #75

Somewhat related, I recently bought a Brita water filter jug which has a little led on the lid which glows red when the disposable filter cartridge has “expired” and needs replacing. Before I even started to use the thing I knew what to expect. Sure enough it starts to glow red after a ridiculously short period of time of using a brand new filter cartridge. I’ve been ignoring it for a few weeks now and checking for a…

You can use a TDSmeter to see how many particulates are in the water. Brita (as do many charcoal based filter) adds some particulates though. If your water naturally has a lot of stuff in it though, Brita will reduce it overall

Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#93

Post by zikduruqe »

tailspin2019 wrote: post #75

Somewhat related, I recently bought a Brita water filter jug which has a little led on the lid which glows red when the disposable filter cartridge has “expired” and needs replacing. Before I even started to use the thing I knew what to expect. Sure enough it starts to glow red after a ridiculously short period of time of using a brand new filter cartridge. I’ve been ignoring it for a few weeks now and checking for a…

My refrigerator recommends changing the filter every 6 months. Last filter change, I wrote the date on it with a Sharpie. Sure as shit, 6 months later, the light goes off to remind me to change the cartridge.

Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#94

Post by shuntress »

tailspin2019 wrote: post #75

Somewhat related, I recently bought a Brita water filter jug which has a little led on the lid which glows red when the disposable filter cartridge has “expired” and needs replacing. Before I even started to use the thing I knew what to expect. Sure enough it starts to glow red after a ridiculously short period of time of using a brand new filter cartridge. I’ve been ignoring it for a few weeks now and checking for a…

Regulation regarding the truthfulness/accuracy of indicators probably wouldn't hurt.

But, the better solution is effective Right To Repair laws that coerce a minimum level of standards and open design.

For example, if Brita were required to publish the parameters of that part, you would be able to more easily make an informed decision regarding replacing that part (either by repairing it, cleaning it, refurbishing it, or replacing it with one from another maker) without the tedious guesswork and reverse engineering.

Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#95

Post by maerF0x0 »

bityard wrote: post #60
maerF0x0 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> refillable They used to be in some applications (like really big photocopiers). But toner is messy nasty stuff to deal with. Maybe refillable at a shop could work though.

I've been refilling the toner cartridges for my low-end Brother printer with generic toner off Amazon for years. It's not that bad and costs a fraction of the price of even a generic replacement cartridge. The toner comes in a bottle and you slowly pour it into the cartridge, perhaps with the assistance of a small funnel if necessary. I wear gloves and do it outside or in the garage. It only gets messy if you try to…

> I wear gloves and do it outside or in the garage.

This is the protip my living room wished I knew.

Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#96

Post by tailspin2019 »

ska wrote: post #91
tailspin2019 wrote: post #75

Somewhat related, I recently bought a Brita water filter jug which has a little led on the lid which glows red when the disposable filter cartridge has “expired” and needs replacing. Before I even started to use the thing I knew what to expect. Sure enough it starts to glow red after a ridiculously short period of time of using a brand new filter cartridge. I’ve been ignoring it for a few weeks now and checking for a…

> Any indicator that tells you when a consumable needs I'm not a fan of the blinking reminders either, but it's not a monitor it's just a flashing version of the "remind me in the months" wheel or whatever. The problem they face is a hard one. There are really two timelines you care about, one is how long it stays effective, the second is how long it is safe. The first one especially is highly affected by both usage…

Yes in fairness you make some good points.

But given what we see the printer industry blatantly doing - I’m still cynical!

Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#97

Post by bikezen »

tailspin2019 wrote: post #75

Somewhat related, I recently bought a Brita water filter jug which has a little led on the lid which glows red when the disposable filter cartridge has “expired” and needs replacing. Before I even started to use the thing I knew what to expect. Sure enough it starts to glow red after a ridiculously short period of time of using a brand new filter cartridge. I’ve been ignoring it for a few weeks now and checking for a…

Can't say I've experienced the same thing, ours lasts pretty long and with our water you can start to taste the filter needing to be replaced shortly before the light goes red.

iirc Brita advertises the tracker monitors how long the pitcher is being tilted for, so there's some verbiage about avoiding doing certain things with it etc in the installation guide/manual.

Re: CT scan shows there's still lots of toner left in an “empty” cartridge

#100

Post by jp_nc »

lettergram wrote: post #92
tailspin2019 wrote: post #75

Somewhat related, I recently bought a Brita water filter jug which has a little led on the lid which glows red when the disposable filter cartridge has “expired” and needs replacing. Before I even started to use the thing I knew what to expect. Sure enough it starts to glow red after a ridiculously short period of time of using a brand new filter cartridge. I’ve been ignoring it for a few weeks now and checking for a…

You can use a TDSmeter to see how many particulates are in the water. Brita (as do many charcoal based filter) adds some particulates though. If your water naturally has a lot of stuff in it though, Brita will reduce it overall

Have had good luck with ZeroWater which comes with a TDS meter on the pitcher. Unlike Brita indicators which are time-based, this allows you to just measure the solids have actually been removed (if it's too high, it's time to replace it)
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