SP22 Questions

[wdchuck]

I've got an SP22 that I'll be using on about 1000 taps, so I'm wondering:
How fast can I run this thing without it burning up on me. The previously posted charts say under 500 rpm, but can I go higher- 1000? Also, at 500 or 1000 how much vacuum can I get, maybe 20? Basically, I've heard a million things about these surge pumps, and its all different, so I mostly just want to know how hard I can run it and what to expect without creating a big chunk of burnt up scrap metal. Whats been all of your experiences?

[brookledge]

wdchudck,
The SP22 is probably to small for 1000 taps. but if you have a good slpoe in your lines and all of your lines are good and tight it would probably do ok. The recommended amount of CFMs is 1per 100 taps at the desired amount of vacuum. The SP22 will give you 9.5CFM@15"HG turning 400RPM with a 1.5 HP motor. At 20"HG you will only be getting 4.5 CFM at 400RPM. Most say 20"Hg at the pump will give you the best results.
Some times pumps are rated at open flow which means running with nothing hooked to it. Most of the time that rating is useless so remember that.
You can increase the RPM to raise the CFMs but it will also raise the operating temp of the pump which could cause it to seeze. Some have hung fans in front of the pump and that can help keep it cooler.
Since you already have this pump what I'd do is see if it can give you the desired amount of vacuum you want and still maintain it at the end of your lines.
The easiest way to test is to get a vacuum gauge and set it up with a rubber hose for the size of your taps and when the sap is running very good,(don't do it on a slow day) go around and pull a tap and record the amount of vacuum. If you have lost alot of vacuum and you know that your mainlines are sized properly then I would start looking for a bigger pump. Hope that helps. Maybe someone else has other ideas cause I'm not an expert.
With a good system you can get 1/2 gallon of syrup per tap. I have only been able to reach .41 gal per tap but still trying.
Keith

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

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[markcasper]

Kevin, If youre running the sp-22 with 1800 taps, then the sp-11 should be good for 900??

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

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[Parker]

The sp-11 I ran was definatly the most trouble free pump I have run so far,,I had it on 400 taps that were set up 4 years ago and spent no time at all looking for leaks (I am sure there were a few),,it pulled 18" at the releaser and 12-16" at the last tap (1000'+/-) away,,I would choose a sp-11 or sp-22 over a vane pump just for the ease of upkeep, (and higher vacume),,the vane pumps are definatly higher maintainance (from my experiance),,,,,BUT,,,if you have ALOT of taps you need the CFM's and the vane pump will give you a lot of cfm's for sure,,,,,
Last year we could not figure why the surge 76 on the RTE.11 bush would not pull more than 8-10" of vacume,,,finally found the problem,,,no end of line fitting on a 3/4" mainline,,,plugged the hole and we had 16" vacume....

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

Went diggin'

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

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[Parker]

Lots of things to do in the woods befor the season,,,,time and money,,,all I need,,,I just GOTTA hit megabucks so I can get serious about SUGARING 8O

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

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[wdchuck]

Hey Maple Hill thanks for the info! Here's what I have settled on- all may feel free to comment if I'm off base- really, I can take it! So I've got my SP22 and a 5 horse honda with a 4" pulley. If I run that at 2100 rpm, which should be just loping along nicely, then I end up with 600 rpm on the pump and it doesn't burn to a crisp. that should leave me with plenty of cfm for my nice tight 1000 taps. Thanks again for the tips. Oh, and Parker,glad to hear that the sp11 worked out for you. Give me a call if your headed up this way again.

[wdchuck]

Tested the setup and found that things weren't going to work quite as planned. With the 3 1/2 in. pulley, the 5 hp Honda didnt have enough torque to keep things moving and it kept throwing off the belts. I switched to a 2 1/2" pulley and that works great. The RPMs need to be a little higher, but I'll probably still be looking at 18hg.