****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
UPDATE 08/14/15:Here's the deal. While the unit has a detection for the out-of-water condition, it's too late to save the water pump from an early demise. The water inlet from the water tank is separated from the ice maker tray it feeds by a few uphill inches. The water pump seems to be at its best when the water tank is at least one-half filled and the pump is being assisted by the water's pressure. If the water in the tank is allowed to get so low that the out-of-water indicator lights, the pump is working so hard to raise the water up to the ice maker tray that the pump will eventually fail. After replacing my second pump, all is well now. Grins!UPDATE 02/21/15Okay, folks. As with any electro-mechanic device, you should expect failure of some part at some point. To expect an ice maker to operate perfectly for many years is unrealistic. Yes, I experienced a failure. Instead of setting my hair on fire and screaming at the manufacturer, I carefully diagnosed what the probem was. After several months of nearly 12 hours per day operation, my AI-100's water pump as one of the few moving parts began to fail to draw water up to the ice mold, and it finally gave out with a whimpering death. I then had two choices: 1) Scream at NewAir and just buy a new one; OR 2) Since the small internal mini pump had failed, order and install a replacement pump. The pump is plastic, tiny, and it has two ears that hold it to its bracket, and a idiot-proof two-wire contact that plugs into a circuit board's pin connector.Once again, I was VERY pleased with the response by NewAir and the customer support provided by representative Mireya. Fearing the worst, I called NewAir and asked if a water pump was available and if it is something I could replace by myself. Sure enough, the water pump is a small, inexpensive available replacement part which with a little courage is easily replaced. Only $14.95 + $5.00 shipping. Ordered from NewAir on a Thursday, arrived the followng Monday.Next chapter ... How do I do this? Let me tell you that it took only 30 minutes to position the ice maker on it's front face on the floor, remove a total of about 12 phillips screws (some are pretty teeny, so wear your magnifying glasses), remove and replace the very small pump motor, and then reassemble and allow the unit to settle before ice making resumed!I am making photos for my sister when she will have to execute a pump replacement. So I will be updating this thread to post step-by-step instructions and photos. Don't sweat a pump failure. Order one and go forth to save on cost!UPDATE 10/28/14:After two months using the ice maker every day, I have come to the conclusion that distilled water (not merely "filtered" drinking water) is the only way to go. While it isn't required, distilled water results in much less "clumping" of the cubes than ordinary tap water or bottled drinking water. I suppose it is the absence of the various gasses and materials dissolved in tap/bottled potable water that makes distilled water cubes clump much less. I turn the unit on in the morning and off at night. A perfect supply of ice is available all day, and there's usually just a nice amount left in the morning to begin the day. Some have complained that the ice melts too fast. That is a reflection of the fact that the ice maker only freezes the cubes down to a temperature merely necessary to form the ice. That is in contrast to the typical refrigerator ice maker which freezes cubes down to a solid zero Farenheit or below. Other than that minor inconvenience, this is a great unit!My Previous Post of 08/29/14:I am impressed. This product met a need for my townhouse. I had to constantly run up and down stairs to refresh the ice in my iced tea (ahem, . . . and my scotch after 5:00 p.m.) until I took a chance and ordered this Newair unit. I was skeptical after having been burned by so many inferior products from China which exhibit terrible product design, engineering, or performance. Such is NOT the case with this ice maker. The ice maker shines in the three F's (Form, Fit, and Function). Several things make a difference . . . Good insulation, quiet operation, reliable ice production, rubber feet, strain relief on the power cord, high quality plastics used in construction and metal where necessary, safety and overflow features, and something hard to describe (a good "feel" to the manufactured parts). Simple operation with only minimal cleaning maintenance required. I use distilled water just as a preference, but it is not required. Since I have placed the unit in my guest bathroom, the only improvement I would suggest is a coin slot for my guests to help offset the cost . . . grins!.I saved the best for last. I telephoned Newair Customer Support to ask a minor question and guess what? I actually reached a REAL PERSON who was conversant with the product and its operation! Wow. Isn't that a first these days? Thanks to "Mireya" of customer support, my question was answered quickly and accurately. I am a happy customer.
