has anyone repacked polar pure crystals into a smaller bottle?

You can repack the iodine crystals in a somewhat smaller bottle, but probably cannot go much below a 1 oz bottle. You need several mL's of solution depending on the temperature of the solution so the volume of the bottle must support the range of volume you anticipate needing.

I used to use 1.5 oz bottles, but find the current bottle somewhat desirable due to the built in mesh screen. This keeps the iodine crystals out of your water.

You pay a fair amount for Polar Pure with the special filter bottle with thermometer. You can probably buy pure USP grade iodine at a local lab supply store and a plain bottle cheaper.

Note: Elemental Iodine is a reagent used by drug makers so trying to buy this has some special implications.

I find the Polar Pure packaging has more advantages than disadvantages so continue to use this.

I've had my Polar Pure for around 4 months now, and used it on my last 4 day backpacking trip. It worked great.

Speaking of repacking Polar Pure, does anyone know what I can use for a replacement cap? I usually store it in my gear bag in my Jeep and the other day I went to my bag to fetch a new set of lithium batteries and noticed everything that bag compartment had turned brownish/orange. The Polar Pure didn't leak but I'm assuming it was due to effervescence or evaporation. Even when I received the Polar Pure as new, the packaging around the cap had turned slightly brown and smelled like iodine. Is this common?

I've resorted to storing it now in a ziplock bag so I don't iodine coat all the other gear in my bag.

Crystal Iodine sublimes (changes from solid to gas) and is corrosive, stains, and can escape through the cap seal. When freezing is not an issue, I keep my bottle about ¾ full of water. The Iodine then forms a solution not a gas. Mind you a leak here is a big mess, but a zip lock will help.

Thanks. Man, I feel dumb. Sublimination was the word I was looking for in my first post (I'll call it lack of coffee-early-morning syndrome). But still since the first day I have had it, I've kept at least more than 1/2 filled with water and I still get iodine staining in my bag. Not leaking stains, just general staining. I'm trying to find a new cap to put on to see if this helps, but until then I hope that the ziplock will suffice. If anyone knows of a particular replacement cap for this, I would appreciate it. Going down the OTC drugs aisle in the grocery store and trying different caps is my last option. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks,

--Chris

How about an "over-bottle", such as a Nalgene bottle of a size to hold the Polar Pure bottle? One of the cylindrical, wide-mouth versions, maybe even in Lexan. See their web site at: http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store. Look at the Jars page. (Similar in function to the "over-drums" used to hold leaking 55 gallon drums & contain any spills.)

It would add some bulk, but might be worth it.

David

I’ve had the same problem with Polar Pure, and I think I’ve come up with a solution. I put the iodine crystals in a small glass vial, wrapped electrical tape around both ends, and slipped the vial back into the Polar Pure bottle. The vial is long enough not to get stuck under the plastic barrier and the Teflon seal and tape prevent leakage and rattling. To test this setup, I placed the bottle and a paper towel into a Ziploc bag and after a month, there’s no discoloration of the paper towel. As for a cap, I’d try a vitamin bottle.

A cheap and easy way to seal bottles re-packed with iodine is to use PFTE tape. It is made of teflon, which is one of the few things that iodine will not break down. Those familiar with plumbing or high-pressure air lines have probably used this stuff. It is non-adhesive, but if rapped around the threads of the bottle before you replace the cap it will keep the bottle air-tight. If it works on 150 lb. air lines, it will work at zero lbs. pressure. For extra security, rap entire bottle with the PFTE tape after replacing the lid and then rap again with electrical tape.

Just about any hardware store carries this stuff and it is only a couple bucks for a lifetime supply.

Happy re-packing,
George

Thanks guys for the tips. I read George's reply Saturday morning (can't login to ETS from home for some reason) and just happened to be doing some plumbing work that day. I had some PFTE laying on the work bench anyway. Taped up the threads and we'll see if this works.

--Chris