One of the most amazing electrical-mechanical devices that I have ever owned is my Eheim 2213 canister filter. This is a water filter that I have used to help maintain water quality in my 55 gallon freshwater aquarium. This filter has been running continuously since I installed this aquarium probably around 1994 or 1995, close to 30 years ago. Every few months I cleaned out the media, but otherwise, it just runs and runs. About 10 years ago, I replaced the hoses that had gotten hard, but other than periodic cleaning, it has received no additional maintenance. A few years ago the pump started getting a bit noisy, but it kept running until a few days ago when it stopped. Inspection revealed that the impeller shaft and impeller were just plain worn out. A quick search on the internet revealed that replacement parts were still available with next-day delivery, so I ordered new parts.

The parts arrived the next day and I replaced the impeller and shaft. Turning it back on, it picked up again just where it left off. I am enormously impressed with this filter and the ability to get repair parts with one-day delivery.

I also have used an Optima A-807 air pump for a similar amount of time that has had its diaphragm replaced once. That has also been a pretty impressive run.

The only thing I can think of that that comes close in reliability is an Amana refrigerator that I replaced after 22 years of service. That refrigerator was replaced because of a remodeling of my kitchen that made that refrigerator unsuitable for the new layout, not because it failed.

I have a few other devices that are older and still work, but none of those are continuously operated and all of them have had multiple faults over the years.