improvised charcol filter for sawyer mini

[hayshaker]

i,ve decided to make a improvised charcol filter using 1,in pvc and filled with micro filter mesh at each end
and activated charcol in between with a small nipple on one end and a screw cap for water bottle on other end.
ill see how it works out.

[jdbushcraft]

That sounds like a cool project. you can even make premade micro mesh bags filled with your carbon so you don't have to worry about it being sealed inside

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[Rick]

If you use activated charcoal it will also adsorb volatile organic compounds such as benzene, paint thinners, cleaning supplies, some pesticides, etc. Charcoal from your fire will not.

[hunter63]

FYI....PICT (member) posted a couple of filters back in 2009....

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...Bwater+filters

I built the 3/4 PVC version...actually a couple of them....added a 3/4 PVC coupler on each end....allows you to put a commercial bottle of water on one end, and filter into a second bottle.

[hayshaker]

thats kind what i,m doing 1,in scd40 pipe cap on one end reducer on other
activated charcol is from health food store the mesh is a micropore type nylon.

[Lamewolf]

How about using something like a tampon before the charcoal to remove sediment - pre-filter ?

[kyratshooter]

Question?

How are you going to know if it works?

[hunter63]

How about using something like a tampon before the charcoal to remove sediment - pre-filter ?

Eeeeww..........Not drinking that water.......LOL

[Wise Old Owl]

I just spewed coffee onto my computer screen.

[TXyakr]

Personally I don't have a problem with using alum to pre-filter or settle out the silt (fine dust/clay/heavy metals, particles) suspended in most western rivers especially after heavy rains. This saves the life of the filters used next. Activated carbon removed the slight sour taste. And alum in settling out some muddy water in a canvas bucket or large bag while I am setting up camp is easy.
A parts list and some good photos of charcoal filter would be helpful. Many human synthesized toxins/Chemicals out there today best filtered with activated charcoal. Petroleum production is growing fast in North America's wilderness.

Does it work?

You can contaminate some water with trace amounts of used motor oil (dipstick of ur car), then filter with your charcoal filter and send to your city/county/state's water testing facility and ask for a test for petroleum pollution specifically (say it is from your well, backyard stream or whatever don't use tap water). I will cost you, but may be worth it. Many small streams get this dumped in them even in remote areas. Here in Texas thousands of us send in samples to the lab at Texas State University. The worst time to get your face in the water is after a heavy rain according to the results (E. Coli tested as indicator of others, car, street run off oil etc.). If I was drinking from some waterways in TX/OK/LA I would absolutely use a Charcoal filter and then some, better to just take water from home, cancer is nasty. I prefer to get water from a clear "ish" side stream not the main river and hope it is not coming from an abandoned uranium mine. OH well you only live once, have fun, live fast and short better than long and boring.

http://www.meadowscenter.txstate.edu...treamTeam.html

Contract your County Agent or Google your State's Government for a list of recommended labs to test your water (after filter and before).
But here is a list of labs mostly in Texas that are recommended by Texas water specialists. Water is worth fighting over in Texas, oil/gas/fracking just peaceful discussions, stuff is plentiful. (joking)

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/p...p_lab_list.pdf

[TXyakr]

Katadyn makes an optional carbon cartridge that reduces chemicals and bad taste from water that can also be used on some wide mouth water bottles. And Platypus GravityWorks makes an inline Carbon Element that can be added to their gravity bag system or a Sawyer filter system. Both retail for $20 but with discounts cost less. If you make your own from PVC pipe and fixtures the price is less and activated charcoal is much more easily replaced but your unit will probably be bulkier and weigh more of backpacking gram weenies.

Many years ago I bought a Platypus GravityWorks system for $80 (on sale) even after many gallons of water thru it the water still tasted like vinyl so I prefer Sawyer, nothing mechanical to break, small and works with SmartWater Bottles which are easy to replace when they crack, also many different sizes or the Sawyer bags which are compact. I like cheap and compact and easy to replace. Nothing lasts long with heavy use in my experience. Can always dig a hole next to water source and let water seep in, this is a crude filter, cover with sticks and leaves/fabric. Iodine from first aid then citric acid from food bag to improve taste works OK or just boil over wood fire. SOOO many ways to purify water. Suck dew off leaves after sun goes down all night long... THAT IS A PITA!!! ha ha ha

[TXyakr]

How about using something like a tampon before the charcoal to remove sediment - pre-filter ?

I keep one (clean never been used) in FAK for many things (not intended for, I am male). Like a wound that will not stop bleeding, I have never tried to filter silt with one but it may work for just one short trip. Also useful for starting a fire if all natural tinder is soaking wet or hard to find. And if women/teens camping with you run out they may need it for its intended purpose but be embarrassed to ask. Also my women folk are very picky about which very specific type/brands they use, whatever if it was that or bloom of cottonwood tree/cat tails they might not be so picky. I have no idea, they have to give me the old package wrapper for me to buy the products or I get it wrong, even then I still buy wrong razors and pads or whatever for them. I can shave and clean with any knife or blade and animal fat mixed with fire ash, simple stuff. Hygiene is simple, women are complicated and picky, IMO.

So in a pinch just fluff it up or any cotton like material (bloom of cottonwood tree/ cat-tail) put in bottom of funnel (cut off top of disposable water bottle or something like that) and slowly pour in silty water into secondary pan or bottle do remove mud/silt/suspended particles, tannins etc. Common sense. Then continue with secondary water purification such as boiling or whatever.

[Lamewolf]

Eeeeww..........Not drinking that water.......LOL

Tampons have been used to filter sediment from water for years, they are sterile you know. They also make good fire starters !

[Lamewolf]

Question?
How are you going to know if it works?

Easy, if there is sediment in the water before and none or less after, then it did its job....simple huh ?

[Rick]

While it seems intuitive that they are sterile, they are not. That's one of the reasons I don't understand why folks choose to use them for medical reasons (other than what they are intended) when there are actually sterile, medical choices available.

[Lamewolf]

While it seems intuitive that they are sterile, they are not. That's one of the reasons I don't understand why folks choose to use them for medical reasons (other than what they are intended) when there are actually sterile, medical choices available.

I think if you'll check into it, FDA requires them to be sterile since the toxic shock syndrome back a few years ago.

[crashdive123]

I believe that they are made in a clean (sterile?) environment, but the end product is not considered sterile.

[Batch]

I believe that they are made in a clean (sterile?) environment, but the end product is not considered sterile.

Then wouldn't it be better to use it as pre-treatment filter then to go sticking it into body orifices or wounds?

[crashdive123]

I've got no problem with how folks decide to use them. Like Rick, I think there are better "tools" available for some applications.

[Batch]

I agree that I carry purpose driven FAK stuff. Just kind of surprised that they are not sterile.