Purifighter Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration
Recently I was contacted by the company Purifighter and was provided the opportunity to review their Reverse Osmosis water filtration system. The model I was provided was the Purifighter Gaiya Standard ($428).
Fresh drinking water is literally critical to life and sustained health. Having access to clean water during a catastrophic event such as a hurricane can be critical for you and your family.
Purifighter also makes another version called the Gaiya Heating ($468). As the name implies it also delivers hot water for making tea, coffee, soups, or heating emergency food stores.
While the attractive design makes it right at home in the kitchen I can confirm it works in an off grid situation as well. At around 19 lbs. it is portable enough to take with you for camping. Or if you don’t trust the water in the city or hotel you are staying at it is also easy enough to carry especially if you purchase their travel bag ($39.99)
NOTE TO SELF: Buy one of those travel bags.
Next we’ll discuss how to use the Purifighter Gaiya Standard in an off grid situation.
Off Grid Usage
In my opinion the strength of this machine is revealed during catastrophic events. We live in Hurricane Alley and sometimes have regional flooding. Additionally, we find ourselves being notified to boil our water before consumption. However, in a hurricane or other event we could find ourselves without power for days. If both of those things happen at the same time it could be a real problem. By the way that has happened here a couple of times in the recent past.
Input Power
- The manual states 12 – 24 volts DC for input power.
- The supplied power brick is rated at 24 volts DC
Now here is the most important thing to know about using alternative power sources for the Purifighter Gaiya system:
The barrel connector on the machine accepts a 5.5mm x 2.5mm adapter.
I could not find that information in the manual and recommended that it be included.
I purchased this auto adapter which works fine and allows you to power the machine from your car 12v jack or from a solar bank (if it contains one of those jacks).
Additionally, I confirmed the ability to use the Purifighter Reverse Osmosis system with a Portable Power Supply and the VFLEX adapter system. I demonstrate that process in the video link below.
Purifighter Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System Overview
Here is an overview video of the system and the off grid discussion is towards the end.
I can’t emphasize enough how important this system could be in a terrible situation. Conversely, just having access to clean drinking water has immense value to the mind, body, and soul.
Filters
The Purifighter uses two filters.
- PAC Filter – pre-filter for removing sediment ($39.99)
- RO Filter – Uses the DOW FILMTEC™ reverse osmosis membrane ($59.99)
The Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) filter is changed every 6 months and the RO filter is to be changed annually.
That puts your annual filter bill at about $140.
To me that cost is not overwhelming at all. However, if things descend into anarchy or worse then access to new filters could be limited.
While I couldn’t find any information on the shelf life of the required filters, there is plenty of technical data on the DOW FILMTEC™️ system. Their specs say that the RO membranes have a shelf life of 18 months. Additionally, they should be inspected during storage after 12 months to check for bacterial growths.
Conversely, PAC filters have a much longer shelf life. 10 years or even longer possibly.
So the fly in the ointment could be the availability of the Reverse Osmosis filter.
I recommend buying a handful of PAC filters to keep on hand. And hopefully soon I’ll be able to provide a recommendation for maintaining the RO filters. And my recommendation would be to use a non-proprietary filter system in future systems. But having said that, I don’t own the company and losing sales on filter systems would certainly have an economic impact on Purifighter.
I personally would buy OEM filters but what do you do if the doors get shuttered on the company? During my research in writing this blog I have to say that every other system out there that I found does the same thing.
This is just me pipe dreaming out loud and trying to provide an honest review.
Sound Levels
I tested the sound levels during normal operations. Around 55 dB during the process, and around 65 to 71 dB or so while dispensing water.
Here We Go
I literally received this machine 3 days ago as I write this. My wife just texted me this:
The Purifighter Gaiya Standard just became so much more important to me.
Closing Thoughts
Everything I said in the filter section is not a complaint. Not even a little bit. That is the way the world works and as I said, looking at other companies that seems to be the industry norm.
I think this is an AMAZING device. My home office is upstairs and I have to go downstairs to get or refill my water cup. I’m putting this upstairs and I’ll draw water from the sink or bathtub. Trust me when I say this will get used daily in my office. Also, I’ll take it in the camper on outings. And while I hope I never have to use it in an emergency, I’ll be prepared for that as well.
And finally when someone is occupying my guest room I will move it in there for their use. The guest room is upstairs as well.
My only concern at all is future availability of the RO filters.
If I’m handing out stars here, I’m saying :
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 of 5
That’s a really interesting read, especially with how important good water quality is for overall health. I’ve been looking into similar systems myself lately.