View Full Version : ULA Amigo
kytrailman
02-02-2008, 15:43
DOes anyone know if this filter is easily backflushed by changing the height of the clean/dirty water containers. Thanks.
Since it uses a paper cartridge I'm not sure if backflushing is even an issue.
Strategic
02-02-2008, 17:00
It is possible to backflush an H2O Amigo, I've had to do it to mine. Like all filters it needs this occasionally and ULA provides a rubber fitting to do it at home. Using the clean water end to flush in the field is not so easy, as I've had cause to know. I got some leaf debris in mine (my fault, I took the tube off when I dipped rather than doing it the right way) up at Hertline Campsite in PA and couldn't get it to clear in the field. Of course, I had to waste part of the liter of clean water I'd managed to filter in order to try, which is a problem all on its own. It's very hard to get the requisite back-pressure with anything but a faucet hook-up. I like my Amigo (and ULA has been great at supporting it, since I had to convert mine from the old filter style to the current Khatadin filter) but I'm seriously considering a Steri-pen and its (much simpler) pre-filter.
Skidsteer
02-02-2008, 18:52
The new Amigos use a filter cartridge from a Pur Hiker. Unlike the old style, enclosed cartridge, the Pur filter element is open air(it attaches on the inside of the water bag instead of in-line). It would be tough to do a true backwash in the field because you can't build much pressure. At home a backwashing apparatus could be easily made from pvc.
I switched to a Sawyer Just Drink inline for use with the Amigo system and it's doing the job.
kytrailman
02-03-2008, 12:50
Thanks skids-- i checked out the sawyer inline filter online. It is a little cheaper and has a great flow rate..
Skids-
Which of the Sawyer filters are you using? I looked at their website quickly. Is the Sawyer thing not a filter system by itself? Is there such a thing?
Skidsteer
02-04-2008, 19:10
Skids-
Which of the Sawyer filters are you using? I looked at their website quickly. Is the Sawyer thing not a filter system by itself? Is there such a thing?
Hey E.
The one I got is just an inline cartridge filter. Inlet on one end, outlet on the other.
It can be used in line with a platypus or a gravity filter and I think it's the same one they sell in a kit to fit inside a Nalgene type bottle as well.
take-a-knee
02-04-2008, 21:07
Hey E.
The one I got is just an inline cartridge filter. Inlet on one end, outlet on the other.
It can be used in line with a platypus or a gravity filter and I think it's the same one they sell in a kit to fit inside a Nalgene type bottle as well.
How's the flow rate on that Sawyer filter?
Skidsteer
02-04-2008, 21:48
How's the flow rate on that Sawyer filter?
About the same as the original Amigo filter, I'd guess. I haven't timed it but I'd estimate 1-1 1/2 minutes per liter. They claim a 500 gallon filter life. That would be nice but I'll believe it when I see it.
I'll check it this weekend when I get home and let you know.
kytrailman
02-05-2008, 10:21
I think that i saw on the net that the sawyer actually had a little faster flow rate according to the manufacturer. I have decided to make my own. I found killer plans on the net for a 6 oz. gravity filter using a katadyn/pur filter. It is very similar to the Amigo , only the filter is not totally enclosed in the bag. I am thinking of using the sawyer inline filter rather than the pur. It seems that this would give me more options with the filter. Skids, any problem with water running down the tube causing possible cross-contamination???
Skidsteer
02-05-2008, 15:35
Yes. You have to watch it.
Provide yourself enough tubing on the outlet side to form a 'drip loop' just before the line goes into your clean water bottle.
take-a-knee
02-05-2008, 16:17
Yes. You have to watch it.
Provide yourself enough tubing on the outlet side to form a 'drip loop' just before the line goes into your clean water bottle.
Or you could just use a camelback tube and plumb the filter between two platys.
Footslogger
02-05-2008, 16:21
Just curious if this thread is about filtering out particulate matter from the water or actually purifying it and rendering it free from contaminants/viral agents etc ??
Thanks,
'Slogger
Skids-
Are you saying that you have to be careful with the Amigo setup about cross contamination? And how do you do the Sawyer thing? Does it fit in the Amigo in place of the Hiker filter? Or did you have to rig it in there somehow? I have a Sawyer I just bought. The "Just Drink" thing with the bottle and drinking cap and all. I have an Amigo on the way (I hope). I reckon I can figure it out when I get all the parts but any pre parts help is appreciated.
Skidsteer
02-15-2008, 08:02
Skids-
Are you saying that you have to be careful with the Amigo setup about cross contamination? And how do you do the Sawyer thing? Does it fit in the Amigo in place of the Hiker filter? Or did you have to rig it in there somehow? I have a Sawyer I just bought. The "Just Drink" thing with the bottle and drinking cap and all. I have an Amigo on the way (I hope). I reckon I can figure it out when I get all the parts but any pre parts help is appreciated.
Yeah, if you don't plumb it like Take-A-Knee, there is always the possibility of water slopping over the edge of the Amigo bag. When it does, the water runs right down the tubing into your supposed clean water which kinda defeats the purpose of the whole endeavor.
The 'Just Drink' filter will work as well with the Amigo. No rigging necessary. The tubing easily fits the inlet and outlet.
kytrailman
02-16-2008, 10:11
i rigged a gravity set up today using a sil nylon bag I made with the Sawyer filter in-line between the bag and a platy. No need to worry about cross-contamination. Seems to work real good at home. I will try it in the field this weekend. The flow rate is much faster than the small Katadyn pump filter I used to carry. Water looks and tastes good. Skidsd-- have yyou tried backflushing yoyurs. I know they sell a faucet adapter and recom. using it with hot water for a backfluch.
kytrailman
02-16-2008, 10:13
Eman- dont buy the Amigo if you are using the Sawyer. You can make virtually the same thing for cheaper. You already spent about as much as the amigo costs on the JustDrink kit. Let me know- I will send pics of mine-- It seems to work real good.
Strategic
02-16-2008, 10:31
Skidster,
How much does the Sawyer unit weigh and which one is it that you have? I take it you got one of the biological/viral units? I'd seen these mentioned online but hadn't had any good info on them.
I like the down-tube filter design much better than the in-the-bag design ULA is using now (I still use the old Sweetwater filter that came with mine.) If the Sawyer's light though, I could see using it as the base for an ultralight gravity unit, maybe with a Cuben waterbag. Just a thought.
kytrailman
02-17-2008, 12:45
Strategic-- it only weighs a couple of oz.s. my whole set up with a sil bag is around 6- 8 oz. I figure it would be lighter using cuben. I use mine in-line rather than in bag like the amigo set up.
DOes anyone know if this filter is easily backflushed by changing the height of the clean/dirty water containers. Thanks.
which one you have,i had the original it had an inline filter,the new one use,s the same set up as the katadyn base came,i did not like the bag
that holds water on the old or new one so i use the base camp now:cool:neo
http://www.backcountry.com/store/EXT0050/Katadyn-Base-Camp-Water-Filter.html
Strategic
02-17-2008, 19:58
Strategic-- it only weighs a couple of oz.s. my whole set up with a sil bag is around 6- 8 oz. I figure it would be lighter using cuben. I use mine in-line rather than in bag like the amigo set up.
I have the old original inline Amigo, with the Sweetwater filter. I was hoping that these Sawyer's were light, but if they really weigh only about 2oz I may well be building a new gravity filter!
kytrailman
02-17-2008, 22:15
2 oz. dry according to the manufacturer. I will weigh on digital kitchen scales and post tom. both dry and wet weights.
Rickosovitch
05-15-2008, 23:22
I just got the JustDrink and used the sawyer inline filter from it to rig up a gravity filter system with my Dromedary bag, running the water into a platy. It works great! I checked with the EPA and learned that, to be sure of filtering out bacteria, you need a .1 micron filter. The Amigo is .3 and the MSR is .2.
Now that I'm moved and beginning to settle in here in Charlotte, I finally took the plunge and ordered a ULA Amigo before Brian leaves on his next adventure. I've had my eye on the Amigo for a while now after seeing it in action a few times. I didn't order a lot of accessories for it, just the filter link. I figure I can rig up cordage if I need anything to hang it from, so no sense in spending $5 for a lenth of cord and a cord lock. I've got those things sitting around here. Somewhere. :rolleyes:
I got the sawyer filter and a nalgene collapsible cantene (48 oz). drilled a hole in the cantene lid for a 5 inch piece of hose and the whole thing weighs 5.3 oz. hose is jsut jammed in the lid hole tight and it doesn't leak. Assemble with filter outside and connected to platy. does a liter in 2 minutes or less. if it seems slow, just squeeze the cantene and it speeds right up. you can roll the whole thing up to small and stick in pack net pocket.
juma
I have the ULA Amigo H2O and changed the filter with a Sawyer viral filter and have been very pleased. Mine has the filter inline about 3 feet below the bag. It is my total treatment method when backpacking in turbid water areas.
I use a Steripen Adventurer in areas with clear mountain streams as it is lighter.