June 21, 2019 Update

Well, the TwistIIClean filter was a great idea.  However, the execution is a bit off.

The first issue we had was the red “Safety Latch” which is, in fact, not a safety latch at all.  This red latch is essential to the operation of the filter backflush.  You see, ordinary water pressure causes the backflush handle to torque, turning it toward the backflush position.  So, without this latch in place, the filter won’t stay in the “filter” position.  Within two months of installation, this latch broke.  Apparently, this is somewhat common.  The Fat Rancher was directed by the Lakos people to buy a pack of 5 latches from a third party.  At a cost of $10 plus postage, thank you very much.  Hmmm…

But more alarming was approaching the manifold and finding water cascading out of the TwistIIClean.

Upon further inspection, it appears as though the retaining clip brackets had broken through on both sides of the clip.

Further probing showed that the plastic had become brittle enough for the water hammer effect to break these retainers.  Little doubt that this was a result of sun exposure on unstabilized plastic.

Note that the water pressure on my water well system is 50 lbs. max static.

Regardless, the result is a leak that cannot be stopped.  The only solution was to shut the water off and replace the filter.

Conclusion

Lakos has not given me a sufficient explanation of why this happened to a filter that is just one year old.  I must only conclude that the plastics they use won’t handle extended UV exposure.

At $100 per filter, I would not recommend this product due to its short lifespan.

Trying it out: The Lakos Twist II Clean Sediment Filter

The Fat Rancher has constant challenges with his water well.  Particularly when the drought conditions are severe.  The Twist II Clean sediment filter may just help.

Most of these issues have to do with an Iron Bacteria contamination in place when we bought the ranch.  This is a good subject for a more extensive post. But the result is that we have periodic times when the pump will belch out rust-colored algae.  While harmless from a health perspective, this detritus has the potential to clog whatever water processing is in line.  Thus the need for sediment filters prior to any water conditioning or jetted appliances.

Sediment filters are readily available, the challenge is keeping them clean.  Most require manual flushing, and often the screen needs to be manipulated to get the fine particles out.  Not such a big deal, except that this always seems to be required at inconvenient times.

So when The Fat Rancher saw the Twist II Clean sediment filter (Lakos T2C-075) at the local feed store, he had to try it out.  I have a manual filter on my pool water/irrigation and this is an ideal area to give the Twist II Clean a try.

While this filter still requires a manual cleaning cycle, it is unique in that it is designed to reverse the flow of water through the filter while flushing the sediment bowl.  This should reduce the number of times that the filter has to be disassembled to manually clean the screen.

The Twist II Clean sediment filter is available from Amazon for $71.

Installation

Installation is typical for a sediment filter.  This model is 3/4″ MPT (other sizes are available) and includes 2 FPT to Slip couplers and Teflon tape.  It’s great that these are included in the package so that you don’t get to the job site and figure out you don’t have everything you need.

Double-check the orientation of the filter prior to installation.  There is a very obvious arrow on the unit showing the direction of the water.  If installed backward, the filter will not clean.  All that’s necessary is to install the couplers and cement into the water line.

There is a 1/2′ MPT nipple on the bottom of the sediment bowl for the addition of a discharge hose.  However, unlike manual sediment filters, there is no valve required here.  In the operating position, this nipple is closed and no water flows.

Finally, note that there are two mounting eyelets on the filter body. These will require long lag bolts (to stand off from the mounting surface) along with some sort of shoulder/standoff to back up against. These are not included with the filter (though they probably should as the standoffs will be more difficult to scrounge up at a hardware store).

Using the Twist II Clean

Use is straightforward.  The red “Safety Latch” is disengaged and the handle turned 90 degrees.  This lifts the screen, opening the flush port, and reverses the direction of the water flow blowing the crud out of the screen.

Closing the Twist II Clean is a little more work.  The pressure of the water and internal spring makes closing this valve a two-handed operation.  In fact, Lasko has molded two mounting eyelets into the body so the filter can be fastened down.  Since my application has the filter suspended by the supply tubes, I need to be careful not to break the “tree” when I’m closing the valve off.

Also, note that the valve may not stay in the run position unless that safety latch is engaged.  This makes me wonder if this will be a failure point at some time, as it is a vertical clip with lateral pressure on it.

The Verdict

So far, the Twist Clean II does what it claims.  The only open question is how often manual manipulation of the filter will be necessary if the backflush doesn’t clean the whole filter area off.  But so far it is nice not to have to open the sediment bowl and clean the screen.

There have also been complaints on Amazon from some users about leak issues around the control handle.

I’ll be keeping my eye out for this and update this post if anything changes.