1. Place a clean container under the filter OR attach an MSR
®
Dromedary
™
Bag onto the bottom of the filter.
2. Begin pumping until water enters Pump Head, fills Housing, and begins to
flow out of filter.
3. Pump the Handle to filter water (about 70 to 80 strokes/minute for
optimal performance).
FILTER WATER
PACK AND STORE FILTER
MINIWORKS
®
EX OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARE FILTER
KNOW YOUR MSR
®
MINIWORKS
®
EX FILTER
Clean Side
Cover
Housing
1. Unscrew the Clean Side Cover from the Housing.
2. Connect open end of Inlet Hose to Inlet Hose Barb.
Before first use, pump 1-2 liters of water through filter (1-2 minutes) to purge
residual carbon dust before attaching to a clean water container.
3. Put Inlet Cage under water.
Adjust Inlet Float to keep Inlet Cage between bottom sediments and
water surface.
4. Begin pumping until water enters Pump Head and flows out of Housing.
NOTE: Airspring design provides best performance when air is visible in
Housing. Do not invert filter to purge air out.
1. Remove Inlet Cage from water.
2. Pump the Handle to purge filter of any remaining water.
3. Rinse and air dry Ceramic Element completely (3-5 days) before storage.
4. Attach Clean Side Cover onto the bottom of the filter to prevent
contamination.
5. Wind Inlet Hose around Housing.
Secure Inlet Hose with Tube Clip on Handle.
Place filter inside Storage Sack.
Inlet Float
FILTER CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Pump
Head
Ceramic
Element
Inlet Cage
Inlet Hose
Inlet Hose
Barb
Tube Clip
Scrubbing Pad
Handle
Ceramic
Gauge
WARNING
Always wash and dry filter parts thoroughly before long-term storage
to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Never use a dish-
washer to wash parts because the high heat may damage or melt them.
The MiniWorks EX requires regular cleaning and maintenance to function properly.
Cleaning and maintenance depends on frequency of use and water quality.The
Ceramic Element will clog gradually during use, especially when filtering from
glacial streams or cloudy water. If necessary, replacement parts can be found in
the MSR Water Filter Maintenance Kit, purchased separately from a local or online
MSR dealer.
CLEANING THE CERAMIC ELEMENT - AFTER EACH USE
1. Unscrew Pump Head from Housing.
2. Unscrew Clean Side Cover from Housing.
3. Hold Housing and push Ceramic Element out from bottom.
4. Wet Scrubbing Pad with clean water and gently rub the element.
Use even, uniform strokes to clean around the element.
5. Rinse Ceramic Element with clean water and reassemble filter.
WARNING: Check installation of Lower End Cap O-ring to ensure element is
sealed in the Housing.
MEASURING THE CERAMIC ELEMENT
NOTE: MSR recommends measuring the
Ceramic Element after each cleaning.
1. Remove Ceramic Gauge from Clean Side
Cover.
2. Remove Ceramic Element from Housing.
(See “Cleaning the Ceramic Element.”)
3. Gently lay gauge on surface of Ceramic
Element and slide along its length.
(DO NOT FORCE gauge over element.
Permanent damage can occur.)
4. Replace Ceramic Element if gauge fits
easily over Ceramic Element at any point.
(See “Replacing the Ceramic Element.”)
REPLACING THE CERAMIC ELEMENT
Follow removal and reinstallation steps
in “Cleaning the Ceramic Element.”
CLEANING THE UMBRELLA VALVE
1. Unscrew Pump Head.
2. Pinch and pull gently to remove
Umbrella Valve.
3. Rinse Pump Head and Umbrella Valve
thoroughly with clean water.
4. Press Umbrella Valve firmly back into
place and reassemble.
CLEARING THE RELIEF VALVE
ASSEMBLY
1. Unscrew Inlet Hose Barb from the
Pump Head.
2. Rinse Duck Bill and reassemble.
Ensure sequence of Inlet Hose Barb,
Inlet Hose O-ring, Relief Valve
Spring, Duck Bill Washer, and
Duck Bill.
CLEANING THE INLET FOAM
1. Slide Inlet Cage up the Inlet Hose.
2. Remove Inlet Foam from the Inlet
Funnel.
3. Rinse foam in clear water and
reinstall parts.
LUBRICATING THE PISTON
O-RING
1. Pull out Pump Head Pin and Pump
Head Bushing.
2. Remove Handle and Piston.
3. Lubricate Piston O-ring and
reassemble.
Use MSR Silicone Lubricant, lip
balm or petroleum jelly.
Lower End
Cap O-ring
Ceramic
Gauge
Umbrella
Valve
CLEAR RELIEF
VALVE ASSEMBLY
Inlet Hose
Barb
Relief Valve
Spring
Duck Bill
Pump Head
Bushing
Pump Head
Pin
Piston
Piston
O-ring
PURGE
1-2 MIN
CLEAN
CERAMIC ELEMENT
REMOVE
CERAMIC ELEMENT
MEASURE
CERAMIC ELEMENT
CLEAN
UMBRELLA VALVE
LUBRICATE
PISTON O-RING
Lower End
Cap O-ring
STERILIZE CERAMIC ELEMENT
Inlet Hose
O-ring
Duck Bill
Washer
Sterilize the Ceramic Element if the filter has been used for more than seven
consecutive days. Also, sterilize it before or after long-term storage, especially
if Ceramic Element was stored wet.
1. Remove Ceramic Element from Housing.
2. Remove Lower End Cap O-ring.
3. Place Ceramic Element in large pot. Cover the Ceramic Element completely
with water (room temperature) and allow room for the water to reach a
rolling boil without spilling over.
4. Bring water to a boil and allow element to remain in rolling boil for
5 minutes.
5. Turn off stove and allow water to cool before removing element.
6. Air dry Ceramic Element completely (3-5 days).
7. Wash and dry completely all other filter parts.
8. Reassemble filter.
IMPORTANT: Remember to reinstall Lower End Cap O-ring.
REMOVE
CERAMIC ELEMENT
REMOVE
LOWER END CAP O-RING
BOIL 5
MINUTES
Inlet
Funnel
Inlet Foam
