SteriPEN?

[keithy]

I must give a thumbs up to Steripen for their customer service. I was just going through deleting old emails, and found my exchanges with them when I was hiking in Romania.

I was having issues with my Steripen turning off after one litre and not turning back on again. The Steripen CSR went through a few scenarios which I had already done, finally concluding that it could be my batteries (eneloop and energizer NiMHs). After a few email exchanges, the Steripen CSR said she would even advance me out a new steripen before sending mine in to them for diagnostic testing so I wouldn't be left in a lurch. I didn't have an address to send it to as I was travelling on to Norway, but it was a nice offer.

Also as I was travelling, I didn't have my battery testing kit with me, and thought that I had my batteries all sorted before leaving, but on return to Aust, I ran my NiMH AAs through a decent analyser and charger, and found the issue was actually with my batteries and the AA USB charger I took with me on that trip.

I've since run some disposable Lithium AAs in it, and my unit bought around 2013 is still functioning great.

[Tintin]

What do steripen users do for pre filtering murky water?

[GPSGuided]

Multitude of solutions. Fold a cotton hanky/coffee filter and run the murky water through or leave a container full overnight but success varies. If in doubt, boil or chemical treat.

[Xplora]

What do steripen users do for pre filtering murky water?

Take an MSR mini works instead but GPS's solution will work. The steripen will still work in murky water but if you get most of the solids out it helps. If you have time you can put some in a saucepan and let the solids settle to the bottom then pour out the cleaner water and use the steripen.

[GPSGuided]

Back in primary school days I learnt of alum's ability to cause impurities to settle out but have never tried them. Trying to purchase them these days to try out has not been easy. Some industrial grade alum around locally but dare not use these for drinking water.


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[Gadgetgeek]

should be available with pickling supplies, or a pickler should know where to get it.

[GPSGuided]

Pickling? What's that?

[Gadgetgeek]

Making pickles, cucumber, sauerkraut, stuff like that. But I've just done a look, and alum might not be used for that anymore. The only other source I know of alum is in blocks for wet shaving. Which reminds me.... There are at least two compounds of alum.... to the googles!

Shaving blocks are potassium alum, aluminum sulfate is used for industrial flocculation, and there are other types. I can try flocculating some water with my shaving block and let you know how that works.

[GPSGuided]

OMG! Getting way too complicated and trouble for you. Thank you Gadgetgeek but I think I'll just wait to order it from Amazon when I go to the US next.

[Gadgetgeek]

Not a big deal, its as much for my education as anyone else's.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks.


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[Tintin]

Multitude of solutions. Fold a cotton hanky/coffee filter and run the murky water through or leave a container full overnight but success varies. If in doubt, boil or chemical treat.

I bought some coffee filters. I think they're 20 micron filters (doesn't say on package). I wanted to try find a 1 micron synthetic bag but theyre expensive compared to coffee filters. The steripen should take care of the nasties smaller than 20 microns. The coffee filter is more to get out any sand, sticks etc I'll run into.

[GPSGuided]

Coffee filters are good enough and easy enough to source. Otherwise laboratory grade filter paper is perfect but not necessary. Lucky if you have access those in boxes.

[dagsands]

Just used sawyer mini for the Abel Tasman coast track in nz. Love it to bits. Super easy to use.
Used a standard supermarket soda 1.25lt bottle, filled with water, sawyer mini screwed on end, perfect fit. Squeeze/ suck. Lightweight, small, took syringe and straw but didn't need/use them.
Can use inline on hydration bladder too. Got mine from ultralight backpacking. The distributor in WA Didn't reply to my email so I didn't purchase from them.
Will take this every trip from now on.

[Gadgetgeek]

Just an update, tried to flocculate some climbing chalk out of water with my shaving block. no go.