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Katadyn Hiker Pro Maintenance

Katadyn Hiker Pro Maintenance
The Katadyn Hiker Pro is an easy-to-use water filter designed to remove bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, spores and sediments from water sources. It features a pleated cartridge that is long lasting and requires minimal maintenance. To get the best performance from the filter requires a few simple steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Coffee filter Silicone lubricant Water Soft brush Bleach Replacement element/filter
  • Coffee filter
  • Silicone lubricant
  • Water
  • Soft brush
  • Bleach
  • Replacement element/filter
Step 1
Lubricate the pump's O-ring. If the handle becomes hard to pump, remove the handle collar and handle. Clean the black O-ring and lubricate it with silicone lubricant. Katadyn provides lubricant with each Hiker Pro. Reassemble and test. To make sure the O-ring doesn't dry out, do this before each trip.
Step 2
Clean the check valve. Remove the unit's filter and fill it halfway with clean water. Swirl the water around and dump. Repeat and replace the filter. Pump slowly to get the water moving again. In the field, if the unit pumps easily but no water is drawn, this will often fix the problem.
Step 3
Clean the pre-filter. Remove the pre-filter from the hose and disassemble. Gently brush the pre-filter to clean it. Then reassemble and reattach to the hose.
Step 4
Disinfect before long-term storage. Add 2 tbsp. of bleach to one liter of water. Pump the solution through the filter. Continue pumping until all the remaining water has passed through the filter and hoses. Remove the cartridge and air dry. Because the bleach may flavor future filtered water, pump several liters of water before your next trip.
Step 5
Replace the filter. When the filter becomes clogged, try to clean it by swishing it around in the water. Make sure to avoid cross contamination of the output nozzle. If the filter still won't pump, replace the filter cartridge with a new one. In 2009, a new replacement element cost $39.95.

Tips & Warnings

 
Preventative maintenance helps extend the filter's life. Use the clearest water possible when selecting a water source to filter. Use the pre-filter's float to keep the hose out of the mud and off the bottom of the water source. If possible, allow the sediment to settle out of dirty water before filtering or use a coffee filter wrapped around the pre-filter to help keep sediment out.
 
Preventative maintenance helps extend the filter's life.
 
Use the clearest water possible when selecting a water source to filter.
 
Use the pre-filter's float to keep the hose out of the mud and off the bottom of the water source.
 
If possible, allow the sediment to settle out of dirty water before filtering or use a coffee filter wrapped around the pre-filter to help keep sediment out.

Resources

Article Written By Bryan Hansel

Bryan Hansel is a freelance photographer and kayaking guide who began writing in 1993. His outdoors articles appear on various websites. Hansel holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and religion from the University of Iowa.

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