PCS40-F2M / 7CH-402 / FC-0430 / Coleman/Maax 100521 / Coleman/Maax 3301-2110
40 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 7″ OD × 9.75″ long
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PCS40-F2M replacements on Amazon
The buttons below pull up Amazon results for each cross-reference part number. Same physical cartridge, different stickers, often different prices. Cross-shop and pick the cheapest option that has solid recent reviews.
Cross-Reference & Interchangeable Part Numbers
| Brand | Part Number | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pleatco | PCS40-F2M | Primary |
| Unicel | 7CH-402 | Equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-0430 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Coleman/Maax 100521 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Coleman/Maax 3301-2110 | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PCS40-F2M?
The PCS40-F2M is 7 inches in outer diameter, 9.75 inches long, with a handle top and a threaded bottom. Total filtration area is 40 square feet. Before ordering, pull your existing cartridge and measure it yourself, or check the label inside the housing. OD and length both have to match within about an eighth of an inch, and the end-cap style needs to match exactly so the cartridge seats properly when the lid closes.
What other part numbers are interchangeable with the PCS40-F2M?
PCS40-F2M is the same physical cartridge as 7CH-402, FC-0430, plus OEM versions like Coleman/Maax 100521, Coleman/Maax 3301-2110. Same dimensions (7" × 9.75"), same handle top, same threaded bottom. The Pleatco, Unicel, and Filbur boxes ship the same media inside, just with different stickers. The only thing to watch is the end-cap style: if a cross-reference has a slightly different cap design, it may not seat right in your housing.
Is the Coleman/Maax 100521 the same filter as the PCS40-F2M?
Yes. Coleman/Maax 100521 is an OEM number, the code the tub or pool builder stamps on the cartridge they ship. The filter itself is made by Pleatco, Unicel, or Filbur, so Coleman/Maax 100521 (along with Coleman/Maax 3301-2110) and PCS40-F2M, 7CH-402, FC-0430 all point to one interchangeable cartridge. Buy whichever is cheapest with solid recent reviews, and just check that the dimensions match your old cartridge before you order.
How often should I replace the PCS40-F2M?
Most filter cartridges last between 12 and 24 months. Pull the PCS40-F2M every few months for a hose rinse, soak it in cleaner quarterly, and replace it when the pleats are torn, channeling, or won't come clean. Bather load, water chemistry, and how often you actually clean it all matter more than the calendar.
How do I clean the PCS40-F2M?
The PCS40-F2M has a built-in handle on top, which means you can pull it without touching the media. Pull the cartridge from the housing and hose it down. Hit the pleats from above at about a 45-degree angle so water rinses debris out instead of packing it deeper, and work top to bottom while rotating the cartridge. Skip the pressure washer. The high pressure tears or collapses pleats, and once that happens you've lost media that doesn't come back. Every few months (or at every water change, whichever comes first), do a deep clean: overnight soak in a hot tub filter cleaner, then a thorough rinse. If your cartridge has a closed end cap, let it dry before reinstalling so you don't trap moisture inside the cartridge core.
Which hot tubs and spas use the PCS40-F2M?
Pull your existing cartridge and read the part number off the end cap, or check the label inside the filter compartment. That's the most reliable way to confirm compatibility.
Dimensions
Specifications
| Outer Diameter | 7″ |
|---|---|
| Length | 9.75″ |
| Top Type | Handle |
| Bottom Type | Threaded fitting |
| Filtration Area | 40 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PCS40-F2M |
Fitment notes
Semi-circular handle top with a 2 inch male NPT adapter on the bottom (Pleatco's F2M fitting). Confirmed through Coleman OEM 100521, which Unicel resolves to the same 7CH-402 at 7 by 9-3/4 inches and 40 sq ft with a 2 inch male pipe thread. Same body as the PCS40, which takes a 1-1/2 inch thread instead, so the fitting is the whole difference between them. Pleatco's own spec column prints 1-1/2 inch MPT for this part, which contradicts both its F2M suffix and Unicel's row.