Inexpensive Water Filters for newer GE Refrigerators - PYE22K and more

Join David’s trials as he installs a generic RPWF water filter in his GE PYE22K french door refrigerator in lieu of a GE RPWFE filter. This should work for all newer GE refrigerators that use the RPWFE filter.
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Safety
01:38 Background
03:45 RFID Tags
05:40 First attempt
08:18 Second attempt
09:51 Closing
Music:
(Pinnacle 25 royalty-free music):
Pulsing Dance
House Fever
Reaction Time
City Night Groove

[@CheaddakerT.Snodgrass]

I'm glad to know that this RFID requirement exists. It really feels like there's a legal issue there. We have a refrigerator that uses a filter similar to yours but no RFID. Once I realized the cost of replacement I found that I could easily bypass the box that holds the filter and I installed a drinking fountain filter on the line that runs to the refrigerator. It required understanding what tube goes where on the back of the refrigerator but it was easy enough to splice in using push together fittings similar to shark bite but not as heavy duty; intended for 1/4" tubing applications such as mine.

[@LifewithDavid1]

I have a similar filter for my house humidifier. That is a good option as long as you replace the filter periodically. Thanks for watching!

[@jonpinkley2844]

Just saw another recent video How to Bypass GE Refrigerator RPWFE where they removed the RFID from the bypass filter and installed in into the reader/controller cavity. Then it displays unfiltered water, but you can use the lower cost filters. With your skills, you may be able to hack the circuit to make the controller think a new authentic filter was installed. What would even be nicer would be to have it remember how long the solenoid valve was open, and turn on the replace filter after some specific "water on" time had passed. Then it would be more like the "change oid" light on your car dash board that can be reset when you change the oil.

[@LifewithDavid1]

Eventually I will swap between 2 RFIDs. That might actually reset the counter (but I'm not sure yet). After my previous LG refrigerator died after only 5 years; I had to shell out over $3,500 for this one. I think it would be wise not to touch anything inside the fridge. My retirement fund wouldn't take another hit like that.

[@wktodd]

It's likely that the internal CPU/RFID reader is storing the actual ID number of each filter used , so that if an old filter is installed it 'knows' in order to protect the user (AKA the companies profits!) . If you're lucky the ID reader will be doing all the work and only sending a go/no-go signal to the controller.

[@LifewithDavid1]

That's what I was thinking. I could just accept this as a win; but I want to know more. If what I find out is interesting, maybe I'll make another video. Thanks for watching!

[@turtlesister1280]

Please do a video on the GE XWFE frig water filter. It's harder to work with.

[@LifewithDavid1]

I see that the XWFE filter is different than the RPWFE filter. Unfortunately, I don't have a refrigerator that takes that size of filter so I wouldn't be able to test it. Sorry.

[@joedougherty8229]

Were you able to clear the change filter alert?

[@LifewithDavid1]

No. That's the bummer; you have to manually keep track of when to change the filter. If you cycle between two RFID chips you might be able to reset to 0 days overdue. I got there once, but then I broke the other RFID chip so I couldn't try it again.

[@jonpinkley2844]

A video made after yours, XWFE water filter alternative for GE refrigerator, claims you can get a "bypass filter" from GE for free that will make the refrigerator not ever expire, but also disables the replace filter timer. I wonder if it was a legal requirement to not force the use of GE filter. It may be worth looking into. This reminds me of the inkjet printers that are sold at a loss, and come with "starter cartridges" that are only good for a small number of pages, and then you find out that a new standard set cost almost as much as the printer. It's like the "free razor handle" to get you locked in to the expensive razor blades. But a refrigerator that cost that much shouldn't force you to use the expensive filters. I wonder if there is a secret diagnostic mode that could bypass or reset the filter. My GE front loading laundry washer has a mode you can get into by pressing some key when it is plugged in. Then you can test spin etc. BTW, do you ever go to MicroCenter? That's where I get my Pico microcontrollers.

[@LifewithDavid1]

Thanks for the info. My goal is to use 2 different RFID chips and cycle between them. I'm hoping that that will reset the timer.

[@ronherleman9616]

Sure examine the chips. Do the chips actually show that a particular filter went through it’s cycle?

[@LifewithDavid1]

The chip doesn't know, rather the fridge knows which filter went through it's cycle. Each filter has a unique code. The fridge keeps track, I don't know how long it keeps that info before it resets.

[@ronherleman9616]

@@LifewithDavid1 well, anyway, the water works, but the ice maker will not dispense ice. I hacked by putting old wrapper with very delicate electronics on new non- e filter. Ordered new ge filter. (The jerks!!)

[@LifewithDavid1]

@@ronherleman9616 If the water works, then it accepts the "new" filter, Not dispensing ice is a different issue.

[@marbos2091]

Saw another video where all they did was gently peel the RFID tag off the filter. No need to cut the plastic.

[@LifewithDavid1]

That's the earlier style. Haier (GE) is pretty smart; they realized that people were just peeling off the sticker. So they made it harder with the more recent filters by embedding the RFID tag in the plastic.

[@fixitfelix718]

Greatt video..i will be making one on this topic and be referencing this video in my community section...great work!

[@LifewithDavid1]

@@fixitfelix718 Thank you. Hope it helps you out!

[@Mike-uh2gw]

Cut the tag off and tape it inside the fridge where the sensor is.

[@LifewithDavid1]

That would work, too. I do reset the "overdue" counter by inserting another filter every 90 days. This helps remind me to replace the filter every 180 days. Thanks for the tip!

[@Mike-uh2gw]

So the fridge only remembers one rfid chip in memory so you can have two chips and swap back and forth to reset the meter? If thats the case I will buy another expensive filter so I can turn off the filter life nag screen. @@LifewithDavid1

[@LifewithDavid1]

It remembers if a filter is "expired". However you can reset the "days overdue" on an expired filter back to 0 by swapping out another unexpired filter for just one water cycle. It might work with an expired filter too; I've never tried it.

[@jonpinkley2844]

gefiltergate yt won't let me put correct name in previous post.

[@LifewithDavid1]

Thanks, I used the name and checked it out.