bought a H.A.W.G. camelbak

[jaykden]

i just bought a hawg camelbak from ranger joes, i like it alot, i got it in woodland 'cause i live in a rainforest, anyway, its seems to be put together really well and isn't too big. i'll be using it for hiking and hunting, its very comfortable and fits nice and tight without moving too much in my back. anyway, i'm very happy with it and was just wondering if any one else on the falfiles has one, its not big enough for a bug out bag or anything like that, but its great for daytime use.

[sslocal]

Nice unit. I use the Mule model for my forays into the woods. I find that under extreme exertion the 100 oz. bladder lasts about 3-4 hours. I think the Hawg is a tad bit larger than the Mule but the bladder is the same. Pay attention to the cleaning instructions enclosed. I have read that there are 197 different types of bugs (bacteria) that can breed in a water bottle/bladder. I use a capful of bleach and fill it up half way. Suck out the air and let it sit. Scrub it withthe approved camelback brush set and rinse well. Fill it back up and let it sit over night. (this gets the bleach taste out of it. Empty it out in the AM and away you go.

[eggroll]

when cleaning your bladder, make sure NOT to store it flat on a counter as it'll cause the inner walls to touch and bind together by surface tension. Get a bladder hanger and drip dry.

[NoNotAgain]

Originally posted by sslocal
Pay attention to the cleaning instructions enclosed. I have read that there are 197 different types of bugs (bacteria) that can breed in a water bottle/bladder. I use a capful of bleach and fill it up half way. Suck out the air and let it sit. Scrub it withthe approved camelback brush set and rinse well. Fill it back up and let it sit over night. (this gets the bleach taste out of it. Empty it out in the AM and away you go.

Don't leave bleach in the silicone bag for more than 10-15 minutes or you will kill the bag. It won't happen right away, but you will start to notice a color shift.
Use the Camel Back hanger and allow time for air drying between uses.

Once the blue bag starts turning yellow, throw it away and get a new one. Also, don't forget to replace the hose and bite valve.

A few drops of lemon juice dropped in the water you are going to drink will also get rid of the bleach smell/taste.

[jaykden]

thnx guys, i just got it last week and have been using it some already, should i clean it right off the bat? if i clean it will the plastic taste go away?

[sslocal]

Just leave some water in it over night. That should get rid of most of it. I love the "few drops of lemon juce" idea, just like the the upscale folks do. :cool:

[CATM Larry]

Actually, get the cleaning brushes and drying/hanging frame from camelback. Use them regularly and you will not regret it. Also, if the bladder starts getting nasty, get the cleaning tablets and have at it. I recently found my 70 oz bladder and carrier after a 1.5 year long (or so) hiatus, and boy did all of that crazy Camelback cleaning stuff come in handy.

Larry

[NoNotAgain]

Originally posted by CATM Larry
Actually, get the cleaning brushes and drying/hanging frame from camelback. Use them regularly and you will not regret it. Also, if the bladder starts getting nasty, get the cleaning tablets and have at it. I recently found my 70 oz bladder and carrier after a 1.5 year long (or so) hiatus, and boy did all of that crazy Camelback cleaning stuff come in handy.

Larry

I have friends that do a lot of bicycle riding in really hot weather, and a bag will slime up in a days time.

They use denture cleaning tablets to clean the bag. It only takes about 15 minutes or so, then just rinse for that minty fresh taste. Hey, don't laugh, it works.

The tablets that CamelBack sells appear to be nothing more than a water purfication tablet.

[Andy the Aussie]

I have an "old" 70oz bag I have been using since about 1999. It is the best thing I have ever bought....I wish these had been around 20 years ago. The bags can get a little funky but I have always just filled them with clean water and dropped a couple of Puritabs in there for a day and then properly dried it out. The replacement bags are almost as expensive as the whole thing down here..!

Andy:)

[MikeC]

Hmm, we have had our "Blowfish" Camelbaks for three or so years and I have never needed to use the cleaning tablets ever. We drain them after each bike ride, then I shove some papertowels in the bladder then use the hanger to hold it open to air dry. I have never left water in the baldder for more than 24 hrs. Never had slime or any growth in them.


Andy, the bladders cost about 40-45% of what a new complete unit sells for here.