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How To Prime PF-2 Fluoride and Arsenic Water Filters
Let’s review how one primes and installs the PF-2 fluoride and arsenic water filters for the Berkey Water Filter. The PF-2 water filters must be primed prior to installation, and when installing into the lower chamber they should not be screwed on more than 8 revolutions onto the Black Berkey stem.
The media within the PF-2 water filter contains micro fine dust as a result of the manufacturing process that can cause the purified water to have a bitter taste. To dislodge the process dust from the Berkey PF-2 water filters, it is necessary to prime each element. We start off with the video showing how the priming procedure is done, followed by text instructions and some additional helpful notes.
How To Prime Your PF-2 Filters Video
PF-2 Water Filter Priming Procedure
- With blue caps in place, wash the exterior of each PF-2 water filter with a mild dish soap.
- With clean hands, remove both blue caps from each end of the PF-2 water filter.
- Place the rubber-priming button (tan colored) onto one end of the PF-2 water filter and align the hole in the button with the hole in the PF-2 water filter.
- Press the priming button up against a sink faucet so that the priming button creates a seal between the faucet and the PF-2 filter.
- While holding the priming button against the faucet, turn on the cold water gently and allow the water to fill the cavity of the PF-2 water filter and discharge from the opposite end. Allow the water to discharge for at least 20 seconds or until the water runs clear, whichever is longer. Hint: Place your thumb on top of the faucet to apply pressure creating a tighter seal.
- Now repeat the process by turning the PF-2 water filter over and priming the filter from the opposite end in the same manner.
- Prime each additional PF-2 filter repeating steps 3-6.
PF-2 Water Filter Installation Procedure
- Remove the upper chamber from the filtration system and place it upside down on a counter so that the stems of the Black Berkey elements are facing upward.
- With the water flow arrow pointing away from the upper chamber (the PF-2 water filters have threads on one end only) screw the PF-2 water filters onto the stems of each black berkey element 8 revolutions. Notes: a) Do not screw the PF-2 filter on more than 8 revolutions as this may damage the internal media screen b) The flow arrow should point away from the upper chamber.
- Replace the upper chamber onto the lower chamber (the PF-2 water filters should now be hanging in the lower chamber). Fill the upper reservoir with water and let it drain into the lower chamber. When the lower chamber is full, discard this 1st batch of water, which may contain some residual process dust. Your purification system is ready for use. Note: On rare occasion it can take up to 5 full chamber flushes/batches before the dust subsides. If the dust not not subside after the 5th full batch of water, please contact us for potential replacement.
Additional Notes on the PF-2’s
- When the lower chamber is full, the PF-2 water filters will be immersed.
- When the water level in the lower chamber rises above the bottom of the PF-2 water filters, it is normal for small amounts of water to burp through threads connecting the PF-2 water filters to the Black Berkey elements.
- The lower chamber in most gravity purification systems has a 2-3 gallon capacity and a typical household uses about 1 refill per day. We recommend that the upper chamber be filled at night prior to going to sleep. The water from the upper chamber should be purified and awaiting use in the lower chamber by the morning. It is normal for the purification process to slow down significantly when the water level in the lower chamber rises above the bottom of the PF-2 filter. Households requiring more water can speed up the flow rate by drawing off the purified water into a water pitcher or other containing when the water level in the lower chamber rises about the bottom of the PF-2 water filters.
Click here for instructions on How to Prime the Black Berkey Purification Elements.
Tags: berkey filters, berkey fluoride filters, berkey pf-2 filters, fluoride water filters, how to prime berkey, priming berkey pf-2
Do instructions come supplied with the berkey cartridges upon purchase? and do u get the fittings such as the washers etc? i dnt mean to ask daft questions but its sometimes an idea just to get clarification.
Yes Chris, anything that’s needed to make the berkey filters operate in the system are always included. With the PF-2’s, they simply screw onto the stem of the black berkey itself.
Thanks
Dan
What if I screwed PF-2 more than 8 revolutions and damaged the internal media screen?
Hi Kim -
This should be fine as the screen is designed to keep in the PF-2 filtration media granules. However, pay attention to your filtered water. If you’re noticing a white residue that does not seem to go away after a few flushes, it’s possible it’s backing out the top. This doesn’t typically happen with the berkey filter, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for.
Thanks
Dan
I would like to make a suggestion for Berkey to help improve the installation of these already awesome systems. Make the male threaded stem for the black filters shorter and exactly the right number of threads so that the wing nut plus the pf-2 will allow a full and tight fit with no threads exposed. This will also prevent the pf-2’s from being “loose”. By loose, I mean in the sense when a plumber would feel compelled to wrap the threads with Teflon tape to make a snug seal. I kept the tan gasket/washer buttons on the threaded stems and then tightened the pf-2’s 8 turns while the button kept some downforce against it. This made the pf-2’s seem more solidly adhered, but some sort of tighter install would be more pro. Btw the water that comes out of this system rivals my Kinetico RO system ($995) and is even less tasteless. It is smoother. This makes me think the RO system is outputting harder water. I even replaced the pre and post filters, and my home has a dechlorinator and water softener before the RO system. Perhaps the Big Berkey and pf-2 combo is making softer water.
Can the pf-2 filters be stored like the black berkeys after priming? What is the procedure for prepping them for that?
Hi Jesse -
Once they are primed it begins the clock ticking on their 2 year life span. So, yes you can prime and store them, but you lose valuable filtration time.
Thanks
Dan
I bought the flouride filters,once installed 1 filter seems to flow a steady stream the other one drips 1 or 2 dops at a time…is this normal??
Hi Mike -
Flow rate is is primarily dependent on the black berkey filters since they are the first stage of the process and are what affect the speed. Try taking the PF-2 filters off and see if you notice the same speeds. This Berkey Helpful Hints article will help you too.
Thanks
Dan
Hi, my big berkey’s flow has become really slow after 10 weeks since we moved to the Ozarks. The water here is very high in minerals, I wondered if that has to do with it. So, cleaned the upper black filters by using a stainless steel scubber. It made one better but the other is still kind of slow. What else should I do? I also soaked the bottom flouride filter in vinegar. Is that o.k.? If it is, should I periodically do that to clean it out?Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Naomi Minahan
Hi Naomi -
This definitely sounds like calcium buildup on your black berkeys. This article should help:
http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/wordpress/berkey-water-filter/anns-helpful-hints-for-berkey-water-filter-systems/
Thanks
Dan
Hi there i got the 4 Black filters and 4 PF2’s and in the system. I have wash them and cleaned / installed as per instructions. I have filled the tanked and drained it 5 times now and still getting strange chemical taste that leaves a tingle feeling in the mouth. Has anyone had such a problem before or should I continue to flush the system out of water
Hi Stephen -
Some Berkey PF-2 filters have more dust than others and require some more time to clear out. You can re-prime the PF-2’s from both ends allowing the water to flow through about 2 minutes from each side. Then run a few more system flushes through and the dust should be fully cleared out. If you would like personal assistance, please contact us at customerservice@bigberkeywaterfilters.com.
Thanks
Dan
Hello, I was wondering, what if I damaged the cloth film inside the PF-2 filter when screwing in the filters, what might happen? I did 9 revolutions and I passed the limit. Should I be concerned? Thank you.