Berkey PF-2 - Water Filter Manual

Assembly

When assembling your Berkey water filter, it is important that you work hygienically. Wash your hands before use and lay all the parts out in front of you. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to ensure the proper installation of your Berkey water filter.

1. Grasp the knob (1) and turn the screw (3) located at the bottom of the knob (1), with a small screwdriver.
2. Insert the screw (3) from the knob (1) through the lid (2) and tighten it securely.
3. Take your filter element (5), with the rubber ring (10), and put it through the hole in the top chamber (4). Attach the wing nut (11) to the protruding threads on the filter element.
   Note: The Black Berkey filter elements must always be primed before use. The instructions on how to prime your Black Berkey filter elements can be found on the next page.
4. Grasp the tap (7), the two rubber washers (8) and the wing nut (9).
5. Place a rubber ring (8) around the tap (7), then insert the tap (7) through the lower chamber (6). Place the other rubber ring (8) around the protruding thread of the tap (7). Tighten the tap (7) with the wing nut (8).

The anti-airlock clip ensures that your Berkey system gets air in the lower chamber and prevents it from creating a vacuum.
The anti-airlock clip is installed on the upper edge of the lower chamber. When installing the anti-airlock clip, you need to ensure that the lip is facing outward and the flat edge is installed inside the lower chamber.

You will find this clip in the plastic bag with the universal primer, the red food dye, and the white plastic fluoride element.

Priming with the brown ring

Before use, it is necessary to prime the Black Berkey and PF-2 filter elements. This is some times easier, sometimes more challenging. This is due to compressed air being trapped in the filter elements; it needs to be flushed out. This operation is called "priming". You need to be patient because some filter elements are more difficult to prime than others. Follow the step-by-step instructions to prime your filter elements correctly.

1. Place the brown ring onto the filter element screw thread.
   
2. Position the brown ring against the tap and let the tap flow smoothly. The water now slowly flows into the filter element, which gradually becomes heavier.
   
3. The water drips slowly out of the filter elements. It looks like the filter elements are sweating.
   

Priming with the universal primer

Follow the steps below to prime your Black Berkey filter elements quickly and easily using the universal primer.

1. Attach the blue silicone primer to the faucet. Make sure the end of the primer is pulled up as close to the end of the water spout as possible.
   
2. Hold the filter element in one hand and gently push the filter element stem into the blue primer.
   
3. Keep one hand on the filter element and use your other hand to slowly turn on the faucet. Use only cold water and do not allow the filter element to hang unsecured.
   
4. Gradually increase water flow until a moderate flow is reached.
   
5. If the blue primer inflates (like a bulb), turn the water pressure down.
   
6. run water until it begins to bead out of all surfaces of the filter element. Allow approximately 1 minute to fully prime.
   

Priming the PF-2 filter elements with the brown ring

The PF-2 filter elements are filled with production particles, so make sure you repeat the action below at least twice.

NB! The PF-2 filter elements are optional and do not come standard with a Berkey water filter.

1. Remove the blue caps from the filter element.
   
2. Place the brown ring against the end of the filter element and let the tap flow slowly. When doing this for the first time, a lot of dust will flow out.
   
   It is important that the flow passes through both ends, see photo.
   

Priming the PF-2 filter elements with the universal primer

Follow the steps below to quickly and easily prime your PF-2 filter elements using the universal primer.

1. Attach the blue silicone primer to the faucet. Make sure the end of the primer is as close to the water spout as possible.
   
2. Locate the threaded end of the element and attach the white plastic fluoride element adaptor.
   
3. Gently push the white fluoride element adaptor into the blue silicone primer
   
4. Slowly turn on the faucet, gradually increasing water flow, until a moderate flow is reached. Use only cold water when priming.
   
5. If the blue primer inflates (like a bulb) turn water pressure down. Do not let the element hang unsecured.
   
6. Cover the bottom end of the element (with finger or blue cap) and let water fill the element for approximately 30 seconds then turn water off.
   
7. Remove the element from the blue primer. Cover both ends of the element with your fingers, or provided blue caps and shake vigorously for 1 minute.
   
8. Reattach the filter element to the blue primer and turn on the water at a low pressure again.
   
9. Slowly increase the pressure until there is a steady stream flowing from the bottom of the filter element.
   
10. Do this for about 2 to 3 minutes until the water comes out clear. If the water does not come out clear after 3 minutes, repeat the process.
    

When to replace the filter elements

Unfortunately, neither the Black Berkey nor the PF-2 filters indicate when they need to be replaced. You can calculate it yourself. Calculate the expiration date of your Black Berkey filter elements via the step-by-step instructions below.

1. Each Black Berkey filter element has a filter capacity of 11,350 L; multiply this by the number of Black Berkey filter elements in your Berkey water filter.
2. Calculate your weekly usage. This is calculated by multiplying the number of times you fill your Berkey water filter in a week by its capacity.
3. Divide the capacity of the filter elements from step 1, by your weekly consumption from step 2. The result is the number of weeks you can use the filter elements until they lose their effectiveness.

Example:
You fill your Big Berkey water filter every day and are wondering when you should replace the filter elements. Your Big Berkey contains 4 Black Berkey filter elements and 4 PF-2 filter elements.

1. 4 * 11,350L = 45,400L
2. 7 * 8.5L = 59.5L
3. 45,400 / 59.5 = 763 weeks

You calculate the PF-2 filter elements in the same way, you simply need to change the capacity.

1. 4 * 3,785L = 15.140 L
2. 7 * 8.5L = 59.5L
3. 15,140 / 59.5 = 254 weeks

Maintenance of a Berkey water filter and Black Berkey filter elements

Maintaining your Berkey water filter and filter elements is necessary to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae. Below is mentioned how often and how best to maintain your Berkey water filter.

We recommend cleaning the upper and lower chambers at least once every 2 months. This ensures optimal hygiene and taste of the water.

1. Disassemble all components of your upper and lower chambers.
2. Hand wash both chambers with warm water and dish soap.
3. Dry your chambers thoroughly.
4. Reassemble all components as instructed earlier.

We recommend cleaning your filter elements every 6 months. This prevents the growth of bacteria and algae on your filter elements. Therefore, gently scrub the filter elements with a scouring pad. Follow the steps below to clean your filter elements.

1. Disassemble your filter elements.
2. Gently scrub the surface of the filter element with a new scouring sponge for a few minutes under running cold water, with the outlet opening facing up.
   Note! Do NOT use soap or cleaning agents to clean your filter elements.
3. Reassemble your filter elements as instructed earlier.

Red food dye test

With the red food dye test for Berkey water filters you can see for yourself how powerful the filter elements are. The Black Berkey Red Food Dye Test is extremely useful for both new and old customers to ensure that the Berkey water filters are working properly. We recommend performing this test every 6 months. This test is only suitable for the Black Berkey water filter elements. Follow the steps below to check whether the Black Berkey water filter elements are working properly.

Before you begin, empty the bottom chamber of your Berkey water filter. Also remove your PF-2 Fluoride filter elements from your Berkey water filter if you have installed them.

1. Place an equal sized clear glass under each filter element stem, making sure that the water that exits each filter goes into its own glass.
2. In a separate container, add one teaspoon of red food dye for every liter of water your upper chamber holds, and mix.
3. Pour the red tinted water into your upper chamber. Your filter elements should be fully submerged. NEVER drop dye directly onto your filter elements.
4. Allow water to filter from the upper container into the glasses below.
5. Examine the water in each glass. If the filtered water has a pink or red tint, your elements are not functioning properly. Ensure your filter elements are installed correctly and repeat the test. If your filter elements continue to fail please contact us.

Documents / Resources

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Berkey PF-2 - Water Filter Manual