Description
Description
The Katadyn BeFree AC Replacement Cartridge is the EZ-Clean Membrane filter that screws onto a BeFree AC soft flask, rated for up to 1000 litres depending on water quality. The Katadyn BeFree AC Replacement Cartridge fits every 42 mm BeFree system except the Gravity and Bottle versions, comes in black or slate blue, and ships without a flip cap or activated carbon.
Who it's for
BeFree AC owners whose filter has slowed after a season of creek refills, and anyone heading out for long enough that a tired membrane halfway along would hurt. On a week on the Larapinta or six days on the Overland Track, Katadyn recommend bringing along a replacement membrane. Pick the colour that matches your flask: black for the 1.0 L black, slate blue for the 0.5 L and 1.0 L slate blue.
What it removes, and what it does not
This cartridge is the membrane stage of the BeFree AC. The activated carbon that sits under the flip cap is a separate part and is not in the box, so move your existing carbon across, or fit a fresh pack if it is due. The BeFree does not remove viruses. If there is any risk of viruses in the water, use a registered disinfectant such as Katadyn Micropur tablets with it, or boil your water at a rolling boil for 3 minutes. Use it on fresh water only: salt and brackish water are not for this filter.
Flow rate and capacity
- Up to 1000 litres per cartridge, depending on water quality
- 42 mm thread: fits BeFree systems of that size, except Gravity and Bottle versions
- In the box: one EZ-Clean Membrane cartridge
- Not included: flip cap and activated carbon
The cleaner your source, the longer the membrane lasts. A clear alpine stream is far kinder to it than a silty cattle dam, so take water from the best spot you can reach. When a shake or a swish no longer brings the flow back, that is your sign to fit the new one.
Maintenance
Two ways to clean it in the field, neither needing tools. Shake: fill the flask with fresh water, screw the cartridge on and shake. Swish: take the cartridge off and swish it through the water, keeping the nozzle and the top of the filter clear of the dirty side. Never rinse it under direct running water, which may destroy the hollow fibres, and never touch the fibres with a tool or your fingers. Before the first drink from a new cartridge, run a litre through and tip it out.
Freezing and storage
Do not let the membrane freeze. On a cold night in the Snowies or on Tasmania's Central Plateau, keep the flask inside your sleeping bag or a jacket pocket rather than in the vestibule. Back home, disinfect the system with a purification tablet as Katadyn's instructions describe, then let every part air dry completely before you put it away.
Specifications
Specifications
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Type
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Compatibility

