Cdl 250 hp

[maple flats]

Anyone with a CDL 250 HP RO? I am considering buying one and would like some feed back from anyone with experience with this unit. Pro's, con's? I might eventually have up to 3000 taps on one, but my problem is that I need something I can run on my solar electric/generator combination. To go larger will require $40,000-60,000 in solar investment. This says it will run on 240/30A, my max.

[Bucket Head]

Dave,

I don't know anything about the CDL unit, but my Airablo has a 1hp feed pump and a 3hp pressure pump and the plate on the control panel says " 240 volts. Total amperage- 21.5".

That size machine would be great for you right now. I'm tickled with mine and it allows for expansion later on. However, I don't think its the right machine for your 3000 taps that you might have in the future. It will be running quite a while trying to process the sap from 3000 taps.

I know of your off-grid power plan, but an RO thats more compatable with 3000+ taps and whatever the cost is to bring in grid power will be far less than that 40-60 thousand dollar figure for solar equipment.

Thats the problem with "green technology"- unfortunately, its not cost effective. I know of a windmill owner that has quite a bit invested but only gets a little return in the excess power that the utility co. buys back monthly. He's in a windy spot- the thing is always going pretty quickly, but it will take half a lifetime for the returns to pay for it, maybe more. A neighbor has told me that he now questions his time and investment for it.

Maybe a slightly larger generator would be a better way to go. I know of a woodworker/cabinet/custom molding maker that lives off-grid and powers his large, fully equipped shop with a relatively small honda-powered generator.

Steve

[brookledge]

Have you gotten an estimate to have power put in? I would think it would be cheaper than the 40-60K you said solar will cost.
Anyways what you need to remember is that 240 30 amp is normal running but doesn't cover start up draw. While it is only a short moment it may draw a lot more until it gets up to speed. I'm not sure how much it will draw at start up but you should look into to see if your system can handle the surge.
Another factor is your tap count. The number of taps you are planning on adding is going to be more than that ro can handle comfortably, so you should look at a bigger RO. I think you should plan on buying at least a 600 gallon expandable to start.
how many hours a day are you going to be able to keep an eye on it? I know you don't need to be constantly but things can hapen that will cause it to shut down. If you re-circulate to increase the sugar content(running it through a second time) you need to factor that essentually of turning it into a 125gal per hour. Then you need to have time to wash and run the permiate through. So I'd seriously look into a bigger RO if you are going to add as many taps as you say.
With a 600 gal RO and 3000 taps with a 3X8 you are probably looking at about 7-8 hours from start up to being done on the average. With the 250 around 16-18 hours or more.
Keith

[maple flats]

Yes, I had a quote for Grid power. We are thinking but we just dislike paying that bill every month. We also want independence from the grid. But, grid is a possibility. It would cost me $4000 (2009) price for either above ground or underground. The prices were within $150 of each other. With our own we can control every aspect, but yes, it is more expensive. If you lose power you have nothing, I will not be included. I think it is mostly a mental thing, a sense of self control that appeals most.

[wiam]

Just throwing things out here. Local guy has a maybe 7.5 hp vac pump and a 600 g/hr springtech running by a generator(propane) He wishes he had a big generator and a smaller generator so when just the vac is running he would not have to use as much propane.

On another note my 225 gal/hr memtek will not keep up with my 2x6

William