1. Introduction
The ALTHY AL-PRE1 Whole House Pre-Filter is designed as the first line of defense for your home's water system. It effectively intercepts particulate impurities such as sediment, rust, floating objects, and other pollutants present in municipal tap water. This pre-filter plays a crucial role in protecting downstream water equipment, including pipelines, water purifiers, water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, and other sanitary facilities, from secondary pollution and premature wear.
Key features include:
- Non-metallic materials to prevent heavy metal pollution and secondary contamination.
- Utilizes US-imported PET food-grade materials for safety.
- Self-cleaning filter and inner wall design for easy pollutant removal.
- Transparent housing for intuitive monitoring of contamination levels.
- Bulletproof material with multiple seals to prevent water leakage.
- Long-life design, ensuring sturdy and durable performance.
2. Package Contents
Please check the box for the following items:


- 1 x ALTHY Prefilter (Host)
- 1 x User's Manual
- 1 x Special Wrench
- 2 x 3/4" to 1/2" Internal Thread Adapters
- 1 x Drain Valve
- 1 x PE Water Pipe
For a visual unboxing and overview of components, please watch the product video:
Product overview and unboxing demonstration.
3. Specifications

| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | AL-PRE1 |
| Water Treatment Machine Type | Pre-filter |
| Filter Material | 316L Stainless Steel Mesh |
| Material (Housing) | Food grade explosion-proof PC Cover, lead-free brass head |
| Suitable for Water Quality | Municipal Water/Well Water |
| Flow Rate | 3000 L/h (3 T/h) / 20 GPM |
| Filter Precision | 40-50 μm |
| Working Pressure | 0.1-1.0 MPa (1-10 bar) |
| Applicable Water Temperature | 4-40 °C |
| Suitable for Water Pipe Size | 1/2 inch internal thread adapter included. 3/4 inch and 1 inch adapters need to be purchased separately. |
| Product Size (L x W x H) | 260mm x 60mm x 125mm |
| Net Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Certification | CE, RoHS |
The filter housing has passed 150,000 cycle water hammer tests (1 MPa) and a highest hydrostatic test of 1160 psi (8 MPa).
4. Setup and Installation
This pre-filter is designed for cold water pipe installation and central purification. It should be installed at the source of the water pipe in your home.


Installation Steps:
- Select Installation Position: Choose a location where the bottom of the product has sufficient distance from the ground for easy installation and maintenance. Ensure it is close to convenient drainage for flushing operations.
- Close Water Supply: Close the main intake valve to your home and discharge any remaining water from the pipes.
- Orient Filter Correctly: Pay attention to the flow direction arrow (IN/OUT) on the product's top cover. This must align with the direction of your tap water flow.
- Connect Adapters: Wrap the provided 1/2 inch internal thread adapters with raw material tape (Teflon tape) and connect them to the inner screw tooth interface at both ends of the product.
- Connect to Water Pipes: Connect the hexagonal nut at the inlet end of the product to the water meter outlet pipe. Connect the hexagonal nut at the outlet end to your indoor water pipe.
- Check for Leaks: After securing all connections, slowly open the main intake valve. Carefully observe all connections for any leakage or seepage.
- Initial Flush: Operate the cleaning mechanism (see Operation section) 2-3 times to clean the scraper and sewage valve, ensuring normal operation. Address any leaks immediately.
Installation Precautions:
- Confirm all accessories are present and the product is undamaged before installation.
- Avoid installing near ultraviolet light, heat sources, fuel, or various chemicals.
- Ensure the connecting thread is evenly wound with raw material tape to achieve a proper seal and prevent leaks.
- When tightening hexagonal nuts with a wrench, ensure other components do not rotate to maintain reliable assembly.


5. Operation
Once the pre-filter is installed and the main water valve is open, the filter will begin to work. Over time, the transparent housing will show accumulated impurities. The AL-PRE1 features a simple and convenient self-cleaning operation.


6. Maintenance
Regular cleaning is essential to maintain optimal water output and pressure. The AL-PRE1 is designed for easy, tool-free cleaning without disassembling the filter.
Cleaning and Flushing Instructions:
- Activate Scraper: Rotate the lower cover of the transparent housing clockwise or counter-clockwise. This action drives the double-sided scraper to clean the inner and outer surfaces of the filter screen. Rotate several turns left and right to effectively dislodge impurities.
- Flush Impurities: While scraping, open the flushing drain valve at the bottom of the unit to discharge the loosened impurities. Alternatively, you can scrape first, then open the drain valve to flush out the accumulated debris.
- Repeat Process: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for 2-3 cycles to ensure a thorough cleaning. This will restore the filter to normal operation.
The entire cleaning process can be completed without disassembling the filter, making it simple and convenient for any adult in the household.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule:
- Clean the filter element every 15-30 days, depending on water quality.
- Replace the filter element every 1-3 years, depending on water quality and usage.

7. Troubleshooting
| Fault Phenomenon | Cause Analysis | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| No water | No water source Inlet water valve closed | Check water supply Open the inlet valve |
| Small amount of water | Inlet water valve not fully open Filter surface partially blocked | Open the main inlet valve completely Perform self-cleaning and flushing of sewage |
| Water seepage at the joint | Filter components disassembled incorrectly Loose parts Insufficient raw material tape winding at threaded joint Damaged rubber seal | Check if the seal is misaligned or peeled off. Retighten the threaded joint with a wrench. Re-wrap the raw material tape and tighten the joint with a wrench. Replace rubber seal |
8. User Tips
- Filter Function: This pre-filter is designed to remove suspended solids like sand, rust, and sediment. It does not reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), eliminate salt, or filter chlorine. For these, additional filtration systems (like RO purifiers or carbon filters) would be needed.
- Pipe Adapters: The product includes 1/2 inch internal thread adapters. If your plumbing uses 3/4 inch or 1 inch pipes, you will need to purchase the appropriate external thread adapters separately.
- Water Pressure: The filter is designed to maintain water pressure. If you experience a drop in pressure, it's likely due to a clogged filter element requiring cleaning.
- Hot Water Use: While primarily for cold water lines, the filter's robust construction (food-grade PC cover, lead-free brass) suggests it can withstand typical household hot water temperatures (up to 40°C).
- Self-Cleaning: The filter features a convenient self-cleaning mechanism. Regularly rotating the bottom part and opening the drain valve will flush out accumulated debris without needing to dismantle the unit.
- Outdoor Installation: The product is suitable for outdoor use, but consider extreme temperatures. The housing is tested to withstand freezing down to -30°C and high pressures.
9. China Hazardous Substances Information
In compliance with Chinese regulations regarding hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, the following table details the presence of such substances in the ALTHY AL-PRE1 Pre-Filter components.
| Part Name | Lead (Pb) | Mercury (Hg) | Cadmium (Cd) | Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) | Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) | Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET case | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| Seals | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| PE material pipe | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| Assembly wrench | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| Screw | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| Packaging bag | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| Hardware hanging board | O | O | O | O | O | O |
| Carton | O | O | O | O | O | O |
Remarks:
- O: Indicates that the content of the hazardous substance in all homogeneous materials of the part is below the limit requirement specified in GB/T 26572.
- X: Indicates that the harmful substance is at least contained in a certain homogeneous material of the part, and the industry's technical development level currently prevents its replacement.
Electronic information products sold within the territory of the People's Republic of China must display this mark. The number in the circle indicates the environmentally friendly use period of the product under normal use.
10. Warranty and Support
For detailed warranty information, technical support, or to purchase replacement parts, please refer to the official ALTHY website or contact your authorized dealer. The full user manual in PDF format can be found at ALTHY Prefilter Installation Manual (PDF).