In-Line Water Filter Modification

[Chaps]

Taking advantage of the unseasonably awesome weather last weekend, the wife and I section hiked and camped segment 3 to test out some new gear. One thing I found annoying at camp was the energy and time used to filter water. We have a Sawyer Mini which works really well, but we figured out how to improve our (not the system's) efficiency by rigging up the system shown in the picture. We didn't like simply sitting there, holding the dirty water bag steady while water flowed through the filter into our clean water bladders, so when we got home I put two holes in the top of the dirty water bag, tied a thin line to it for hanging from a branch, removed the bite valve from the Platypus 3 liter Hoser and attached that end of the tube directly to the filter. It works great, filtering 2 liters of hands-free water in 4 minutes and saves quite a bit of money over the proper Sawyer In-Line system and water bladders costs.
Over time the filter nozzle may stretch the bite valve end of the tubing some, since it is a little larger than the tube would like, but maybe not depending on resiliency. If so, a dedicated hose and twist-on cap would only add 1.8 ounces to pack weight.
Anyway, though some of you might like this idea.
inline filter.JPG

[Odd Man Out]

I like the filter, but find it tedious to fill the water bladders over and over again. So this is my plan.

I have an AGG 1 gallon water bag
http://antigravitygear.com/shop/hydr...lon-water-bag/

I'm going to hook up a valved quick connect socket on the bottom of the bag.
http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/Ma...Guard_c202.htm

Then get a compatible connector with a hose fitting to connect the filter.
http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/In...-Plug_c188.htm

In theory, I should be able to scoop up a gallon of water, hang the bag from the tree, and start filtering.
I have two 900 mL Evernew bags I can use as receivers.
I can't say how it works yet. The connectors are shipping tomorrow. We shall see how it works.

[theinfamousj]

I came here to post about quick connect adapters, but am glad to see that someone beat me to it.

[dangerdave]

Nice setup.

For mine, the Platypus Big Zip has a convenient handle on the top for hanging. With a couple of quick connection adapters, the system can be used several ways.

IMG_1007.jpg

[Chaps]

Dangerdave, do you have a dedicated blue tube or do you switch out the bite valve for the adapter?

[dangerdave]

I carry both tubes, for both bags. One tube has the filter inline (dirty tube), while the other has the unmodified tube with bite valve for drinking from the clean bag on the trail, or for dispensing at camp. I have the three liter for my dirty bag and the two liter for my hydration pack. The three liter bag can fill my two liter bag and my nalgene bottle in about five minutes with filtered water. The quick disconnects are great. When I disconnect the tube from the bottom of a bag, the valve closes, making them great for hauling extra water. I have the potential to carry six liters of water (if needed) to camp from a nearby source.

If you like, I'll get some better pictures of my setup for you.

[colorado_rob]

Thanks for the tip Top Hat and others... I think my wife and I are going to do sections 1-5 this long weekend ourselves (great forecast, I don't think too much snow fell <10,000' from this last system), and I think we'll rig something like this and give it a shot.

[greentick]

I have an old ULA amigo that I put a different sawyer inline filter on in lieu of the original filter element that went into the bag.

Tagging this for future reference as the amigo may need replacement.

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...imageuser=6848

[rickycodie]

Dangerdave, I would like better pics.

[Connie]

I have an AGG 1 gallon water bag
http://antigravitygear.com/shop/hydr...lon-water-bag/

I'm going to hook up a valved quick connect socket on the bottom of the bag.
http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/Ma...Guard_c202.htm

Then get a compatible connector with a hose fitting to connect the filter.
http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/In...-Plug_c188.htm

I can't say how it works yet. The connectors are shipping tomorrow. We shall see how it works.

It isn't clear from the links which one you ordered at each link you provided.

Which one? Is there any chance of pics?

[bearcreek]

I started using one of these when my Sawyer Mini stopped working last summer. Weighs about the same as my Sawyer setup but considerably faster.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platyp...filter/product

[bamboo bob]

I started using one of these when my Sawyer Mini stopped working last summer. Weighs about the same as my Sawyer setup but considerably faster.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platyp...filter/product

I used this on Colorado CDT this year. I like it a lot but I think it's more suitable for in camp and a bit cumbersome for just getting a quick liter. Also I used a Sawyer mini a bit this summer and I'm going to try the regular? size Sawyer for faster flow.

[Odd Man Out]

It isn't clear from the links which one you ordered at each link you provided.

Which one? Is there any chance of pics?

Here are more details. HOWEVER. The socket I need is back ordered so I still haven't been able to put this together yet. I'm not exactly sure how to attach the socket to the bag, but I know others have done this so I don't think it should be too hard.

For the socket I got this one.

http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/50...ACV-S35107.htm

It is 1/4" threaded with a nut on one side to attach to the bag. The other side has a female socket to accept a quick connector plug which will attach to the hose. It is the version with a recessed button

You would need the 50ACV (not the 50AC) version. The V stand for valve which shuts off the flow when the connector is not plugged in (necessary on the bag so the water doesn't drain out when you fill it and carry it back to camp). Here is a page that shows the valve workings

http://www.linktechcouplings.com/Pro...offValves.aspx

And here is a CAD drawing of the socket that loads as a pdf file, but it isn't just a picture. You can click and drag the image to see it in 3D (very spiffy). If that doesn't work for you, there is also a jpg.

http://www.linktechcouplings.com/Por...5107_3DPDF.pdf
http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/media/50ACS35107.jpg

I got plugs to go into the socket with hose connectors to attach to the tubing which connects to the filter. They come in three sizes for three different sized tubing, 1/4", 5/16", 3/8". I wasn't sure which would fit the tubing best so I ordered all three (they are less than a dollar each). It looks like the 5/16 will work with the tube/straw that comes with the Sawyer filter, but if it stretches out our I want a tighter fit, then I have the other sizes on hand. These also come in valved versions (50ACV) so water would not flow through the plug when disconnected. I didn't see a need for that on the plug side, so I got the version without valves.

http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/50...0AC-PB2-04.htm
http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/50...0AC-PB2-05.htm
http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/50...0AC-PB2-06.htm

http://www.linktechcouplings.com/Por...2-04_3DPDF.pdf
http://www.linktechcouplings.com/Por...2-05_3DPDF.pdf
http://www.linktechcouplings.com/Por...2-06_3DPDF.pdf

http://shop.linktechcouplings.com/media/50ACPB2.jpg

Here is their home page for more links.
http://www.linktechcouplings.com/?gc...FaI7MgodPmAAlw

[bearcreek]

I used this on Colorado CDT this year. I like it a lot but I think it's more suitable for in camp and a bit cumbersome for just getting a quick liter. Also I used a Sawyer mini a bit this summer and I'm going to try the regular? size Sawyer for faster flow.

My plan for next summer is to have it both ways (gravity + squeeze). It's easy to adapt a Evernew or Sawyer bag to connect to the Platypus quick connect. You have to use the threaded adapter from Sawyer and a couple of inches of tubing. This adds a total of 1 ounce to the Platypus setup, but hopefully will make it more versatile. This is what you need, except the male disconnect has to be switched out with the female one:

[Connie]

Bookmarked.

Thank you, Odd Man Out.

Maybe we will see a photo of the finished setup? Maybe outdoors?

How do you get 3D? Does 3D require a special video card, and, a special flatscreen display?

[HooKooDooKu]

I'm not seeing the benefit of rigging up something with the AGG bag.

My simple setup is a 2L Evernew Water Carry for dirty water, and a 2L Platypus hoser for clean water. I ripped the bite valve off the hoser, punched a hole in the Evernew (outside of the bladder) and ran a string for hanging. To filter the water, simply screw the Evernew to the mini and push the Platypus hoser over the output nipple. Hang the Evernew, and in 4 minutes (while I do other camp choirs) I get 2L of water filtered.

The one other modification I made (because the tubing of the hoser is so thick and hard to coil) was to replace the hose with the stretchy surgical hose (actually, with the hose from my old Sweetwater filter).

[Odd Man Out]

Bookmarked.

Thank you, Odd Man Out.

Maybe we will see a photo of the finished setup? Maybe outdoors?

How do you get 3D? Does 3D require a special video card, and, a special flatscreen display?

Now that winter is here, I might have to wait for the ice to melt before getting an outdoor test. Don't know about the 3D. I just open the pdf file in Adobe Acrobat and it gives me an image that you can rotate in 3D. I've never seen that before in a pdf file in Adobe Acrobat. I have version 9.5. It works on my office laptop PC and my old PC in the basement.