Brita Water Jug, Battery Replacement

[G3NDI]

This is a Brita Model “Elemaris Cool” water filter jug. The LED display appeared to have failed, but the display clearly uses a battery which can be replaced fairly readily.
The top cover is removed and turned over. Pressing the two clear plastic “ears” at the base of the long white stub the assembly can be eased clear of the cover. The stub contains two wires which dip into the water and allow the onboard PCB chip to presumably estimate for how long the filter is doing its job.

Around the edge of the clear plastic base, containing the PCB, can be seen a number of chamfered tags holding the cap onto the assemby. I had initially thought the cap was hard plastic and might split in trying to remove it past the tags. However, it seems to be a soft type plus there are some splits cut in the cap edge. It can be removed with two small flat baded screwdrivers or similar. It was found better to start at the short straight end rather than the curved end, which I though might split. Having eased the flap sufficiently the sides and curved end can then be eased free. The PCB is held underneath the cap and removing it shows the CR2032 3V battery cell – similar to those used in TV controllers, etc.

The battery is held by a clip with three split legs going through holes in the PCB where they make contact. I found it easy to slightly comprees the stand-alone leg with fine nosed pliers and lift it out of the board hole, the other two were treated similarly. A new battery was inserted and the clip replaced. The PCB assembly is then put back – there are two thin pegs passing into the PCB so it only goes back in one way. To ensure ease of replacing the cap (and also for future removal!) a small dab of silicone grease was put on each tag.

[boselecta]

Re: Brita Water Jug, Battery Replacement

Brilliant, don’t normally post in the public forums but well done for repairing this, I’ve got one of these myself, the display has gone and I’ve never even thought of repairing it!.

I guess most people would either not bother about it or chuck it in the bin and get a new one, let’s try to end the cycle of mindless consumerism and throwing things away when we’ve seen enough of them!

[Martin]

Re: Brita Water Jug, Battery Replacement

boselecta wrote:I guess most people would either not bother about it or chuck it in the bin and get a new one, let’s try to end the cycle of mindless consumerism and throwing things away when we’ve seen enough of them!

The thing is the digital display is a simple timer and takes no account of the amount of filtered water used. A clever ruse by Brita to get you to buy more filter cartridges than you actually need.

So to save the planet don’t replace the lithium battery or buy cartridges unnecessarily, just make a note of how many times you refill with tap water instead.

[Author]

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