SteriPEN Aqua User Manual

THANK YOU
FOR PURCHASING
THE BEST-SELLING
PORTABLE UV PURIFIER

Thanks for choosing the SteriPEN Aqua
and congratulations on your purchase!

Aqua is built to be safe, simple and straightforward. If
after reading this guide, you have any questions or
your SteriPEN doesn’t operate as described in this
manual, please contact us. We love hearing from you!
We are here to troubleshoot and make sure you have a
working device. Call 888-826-6234 (207-374-4506) or
email [e-mail].

Also, be sure to visit us online and register your Aqua
for all the latest news and special deals:
www.steripen.com/register.

Thanks again and happy travels!

P.S. Don’t forget to recycle the packaging!

Aqua

User Guide

Aqua

www.steripen.com
facebook.com/steripen
@steripen

Aqua’s ANATOMY

1 Battery cap

2 Indicator LEDs

3 Activation button

4 Water sensor pins

5 UV lamp

6 Lamp cover

Specifications

Treatment size: ½ or 1 liter

Treatment time: 48 or 90 seconds

Lamp life: 3,000 activations

Number of liter treatments per set of
batteries: (numbers are approximate)
lithium - 150
alkaline - 50
rechargeable - 100

Minimum bottle opening: 22mm

Weight: 83g

Weight with batteries: Lithium: 141g;
Alkaline: 178g; Rechargeable: 191g

Length with lamp cover: 186mm

Maximum diameter: 43mm

EASY TO USE BATTERY GUIDE

CARE & CLEANING

While Aqua’s battery compartment is designed
to be highly water-resistant, it is not waterproof.
Avoid submerging Aqua’s battery end in water.

Aqua’s battery performance may be adversely affected
by cold weather. In temperatures below 32ºF/0ºC carry
the unit close to your body or warm up batteries before
use. If batteries are too cold, Aqua’s LED indicator may
give low battery signal. Warm up batteries and treat
again.

Make sure to wipe dry after each use.

When not in use, Aqua should be kept in a safe
place that is clean and dry. It should not be exposed
to temperatures above 120°F/49°C or below -4°F/-20°C.
Also, when storing for long periods of time, remove
batteries to keep them from inadvertantly draining.

To clean Aqua, wash with a soft cloth and a mild
soap solution. Rinse soap from device and dry with
a clean, soft cloth.

If Aqua’s bulb is cracked, chipped or damaged,
don’t use it. Return it to the store or contact SteriPEN
for repair. Email us at [e-mail] or call
888-826-6234 (207-374-4506). Do not try to fix it
yourself.

Aqua LED INDICATOR GUIDE

The Aqua’s three LED indicator lights let you
know the status of your SteriPEN and the water
purification process. Green blinking LED(s)
indicates succesfull water treatment. The red
LED indicates unsuccessful water treatement,
low battery level, battery replacement needed,
or UV lamp replacement needed.

Hydro-Photon, Inc.
PO Box 675
262 Ellsworth Road
Blue Hill, Maine 04614 USA
Toll Free USA: 1-888-SteriPEN
([phone]
[e-mail]
www.steripen.com

1 Remove lamp cover.

Twist cover gently and pull away
from lamp. Take care to keep the
water sensor pins dry prior to
activating.

2 Press activation button.

Once for half-liter treatment, twice
for liter treatment. LED(s) will flash
green to indicate unit is ready.

3 Submerge in clear water and stir.

When water sensor pins detect water,
lamp will illuminate. When treatment
is complete and successful, lamp will
turn off and green indicator(s) will flash.

A flashing or steady red indicator means treatment was
unsuccessful. See “Aqua LED Indicator Guide.”

Be sure to wipe bottle threads dry before drinking.

Remove battery cap by rotating
counterclockwise so that cap
arrow points to open lock icon

Install AA batteries with polarities
as shown in battery compartment.
For best performance, replace all
batteries at the same time.

Replace battery cap by aligning
cap with open lock icon. Then,
rotate cap clockwise until arrow
points to closed lock icon ( ).

Aqua runs on disposable alkaline batteries, lithium
batteries, or rechargeable nickel metal hydride
(NiMH) AA batteries with a 2300mAh capacity.

For best results, always use quality, name brand
batteries, like Energizer® or Sanyo Eneloop®.

( )

LED RHYTHMS

(One liter = two green LEDs, half liter = one green LED.)

.

Successful water
treatment

Successful water
treatment,
batteries low

Successful water
treatment, UV lamp good
for less than 100 uses

Not submerged
in water in time

Replace or
recharge batteries

Water not
detected

Replace UV lamp,
UV lamp damaged

SUCCESSFUL UNSUCCESSFUL

AQ.UG.140909

© 2014 Hydro-Photon, Inc.

If LED indicators show normal signals, but the lamp does not illuminate,

do not consume. Contact SteriPEN support.

TIPS FOR SAFE USE

FREQUENTLY ASKED PATENTED & CERTIFIED

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Aqua is intended for use, and is most effective in clear water
but can also be used to treat turbid, murky or cloudy water in
an emergency. By doubling treatment time (treating the
volume of water twice), Aqua can treat water that might be
described as: “much closer to clear than opaque,” “obviously
not clear,” “obviously cloudy,” “objects viewed through the
water are visible but slightly blurry,” or “as cloudy as weak
lemonade.” For best UV purification results, if the water is less
clear, filter it first with the SteriPEN® Pre-Filter, FitsAll Filter® or
other method.

Aqua is not designed to treat volumes of water larger
than one liter. If more than one liter needs treatment, the
water should be divided into ½ liter and one liter volumes
and treated separately.

When operating properly, the UV lamp will emit visible light
as well as UV light. If the lamp is not emitting visible light,
it is not functioning properly and should not be used until
it has been repaired.

Agitation of water by stirring Aqua or rocking the
container is necessary, as it promotes uniform purification.

Aqua is not intended to purify water above the
surface of the water in the container, such as droplets
on the sides of the container.

Aqua is not intended to purify surfaces of a drinking container,
like the mouth of the bottle. Be certain that you always wipe
the bottle’s mouth dry with a clean, dry cloth before drinking.

Aqua may be used in glass, plastic, ceramic, or metal
containers, as they all absorb or reflect UV light, thereby
shielding the user from UV exposure.

Aqua is not intended for use by children.

Aqua is a high voltage device. Removal or tampering with the
electronic circuit board or lamp assembly may cause injury, or
damage. Do not open, expose, modify, or touch internal
circuitry; doing so can lead to high voltage shock.

As with other fluorescent-type lamps, Aqua contains
a small amount of mercury. At the end of its life, please
dispose of Aqua properly. For specific instructions
contact your local waste disposal organization.

Aqua is not intended to treat liquids other than water. Do
not use in water with ice. Do not use in water above
120°F/49°C.

As with any other water treatment system, always have
a backup method.

While carefully controlled microbiological testing of all
SteriPEN products has been conducted, use of all SteriPEN
products in the field may produce results that vary from our
laboratory test data.

CAUTION

If the equipment is used in a manner not specified
by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.

Do not attempt to bypass water sensor;
it is an important safety feature.

Do not handle SteriPEN with wet hands;
do not touch water sensor pins with wet fingers.

This device emits UV light, direct exposure

�

may be harmful.

� Do not use UV lamp as a light source.
� Do not use near skin, eyes, or insert into bodily orifices.

Get in touch! We are always happy to hear from you:
visit www.steripen.com, email [e-mail]
or call 1-888-826-6234 (207-374-4506).

Why am I getting a blinking red LED
and no light from the UV lamp?

Check your batteries. SteriPEN® products
are high-powered devices that require good,
strong batteries to run the UV lamp.

It looks like the tip of Aqua’s lamp
is melting — is this normal?

What you are seeing is a small bead of silicone
used as a shock absorber to protect the lamp.

What happens when I’ve used
Aqua 3,000 times?

Aqua’s LED indicator will flash red
three times then green once to indicate that
its bulb is exhausted. Contact us to have it replaced.

Aqua’s bulb is shining a purple,
rather than blue light — is it still working?

Yes. The visible light indicates that the
bulb is working regardless of its color.

Can I take Aqua on a plane?

Yes. Aqua and all SteriPEN® products are
allowed in carry-on bags, as well as checked luggage.

Does altitude affect Aqua’s
ability to purify water?

No. SteriPEN® products have been tested and used on
Mount Everest for years. Cold temperatures, however,
can affect battery performance, so keep warm them
before use.

Can I use Aqua to treat more
than 1 liter at a time?

No, we do not recommend it. Aqua’s effectiveness is
ONLY tested and certified for volumes up to 1 liter.

What about parasites like worms and their eggs?
Does Aqua treat for them?

Due to animal testing restrictions, Aqua’s effectiveness
against such parasites has not been certified.

Can Aqua treat soda? Iced tea? Juice?

No. UV light will not effectively destroy microbes
in beverages other than water.

SteriPEN® technology is patented in the USA with further
U.S. patents pending and patents pending worldwide.
SteriPEN® is a registered trademark of Hydro-Photon, Inc.
U.S. Patent Numbers 5,900,212; 6,110,424; 6,579,495;
and 8,362,432.

Conforms to UL Std 61010-1
Certified to CSA Std C22.2 No. 61010-1

Water Quality Association: SteriPEN® tested
and Gold Seal certified by
WQA against U.S. EPA Microbiological Water
Purifier Standard.

THE FINE PRINT

Directions for Use 40 C.F.R. §156.10(i)(2)(II)
It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner

inconsistent with its labeling.

®

SteriPEN
Microbiological Water Purifiers, destroying over 99.9999% of
bacteria, 99.99% of viruses, and 99.9% of protozoa when used as
directed. SteriPEN

1-year warranty for any manufacturing defect. For product
registration and complete warranty information, please visit
www.steripen.com/warranty or contact your local distributor.

While carefully controlled microbiological testing of Aqua has been
conducted, use in the field may produce results that vary from our
laboratory test data.

CAN ICES-3(B)/NMB-3(B)

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly

approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.

exceeds U.S. EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing

®

is not a sterilizer.

Check out these other great products from SteriPEN®
to help you get the most out of your next adventure.

Drink the water, but filter it first.

The SteriPEN® FitsAll Filter® mates
with most water bottles to filter out
leaves, dirt and particulates.
Lightweight and easy to use, it will
help ensure optimal UV purification.

Always be prepared.

With lightweight Replacement
Filter Cartridges you never have
to worry about what’s getting
into your water. The 40 micron
screen catches debris and
helps your SteriPEN® be
as effective as possible.

Visit www.steripen.com or call
1-888-SteriPEN® (207-374-5800) to learn more.