Non-integrated bulk dispenser and method of operating a dishwasher having same

A dispensing cartridge assembly, comprising:

• at least one treating chemistry container configured to store multiple doses of treating chemistry;
• a chemistry detector outputting a first signal indicative of an amount of treating chemistry in the at least one treating chemistry reservoir;
• an illumination detector outputting a second signal indicative of ambient illumination;
• an indicator outputting a human-detectable signal;
• and
• a controller receiving the first and second signals and operably coupled to the indicator to activate the indicator to emit the human-detectable signal in response to the first signal indicating a predetermined amount of treating chemistry and the second signal indicating a predetermined amount of illumination.