Plumbing material choice...

[Daren]

I know there are different strokes for different folks, but I would like some input on what to plumb my sugarhouse with. I have lots of 1" black mainline tubing, but as everyone on here probably knows, it is nearly impossible to get this stuff run straight due to the coil memory in it. I have seen others run schedule 40 pvc but was wondering if that is ok for potable situations as the sap running through it will be concentrated and I was not sure if there are any issues with the glues/pipe releasing bad stuff over time. I have been told CPVC is a better option, but the fittings on that are about double the cost of normal pvc. Then there is pex style tubing, but I do not have a pex crimping tool that I have heard is needed to plumb with that stuff. I really need to get the plumbing in cause this wierd warm weather is getting me antsy up here in Vt. I would love imput from you guys who have been there and done that on plumbing a new RO setup as this usually saves lots of money and aggravation. Thanks for any and all input.

[sjdoyon]

Daren,

Don't bother with the 1" black mainline, you want to run all your lines nice and straight. PVC is fine to run into your releaser, RO and tanks. Have not heard of any issues related to chemicals released by the glue, if so, must be so minute it doesn't register. We plumbed up a RO this fall with 1 1/2 PVC piping, in accordance to our consultant.

I don't think you have the photobucket link open to outsiders. Tried your link and only came up on the photobucket homepage, i believe there is a setting you have to select.


3x10 Inferno Arch
4,000+ Taps
7,5 HP Vacuum pump
Lapierre 600gph RO
3 SS 1500 gallon tanks
24x32 Sugarhouse

[Daren]

Thanks for the reply. I think PVC would be the easiest and most cost effective method. I am not sure how to set up that photobucket thing so I will look at the settings...I assume the settings must be changed on actual photobucket site? I can not find anything on here for allowing open viewing of the albums. Thanks for the heads up on that. -D-

[Justin Turco]

Hi Daren, I plumbed up some pvc in the sugarhouse one time and ruined a days worth of syrup due to not letting the glue cure enough. I am sure I gave it 24 hours but that wasn't enough. I don't see anything wrong with pvc though and it sure will look nice when completed. Just give it some time to cure adequately. You've got plenty of time for that to happen.

Justin

[Daren]

Hi Justin. Nice to see you are still out there. By ruined...do you mean that you could taste the glue? Or see residue? I am wondering if the lines should be flushed with water prior to running sap through them. I might do that anyway. Did you get my PM about the diameter of the feed line for the RO? I was wondering if you used 1 inch or if you went bigger. I am to that point now and am getting ready to plumb things up. I will be relieved when that is done. Hope your preparations are going well and that you aren't working too hard!

[Daren]

Hey SJ....I logged onto photobucket and my albums are set to "public" option. Not sure what I have to do. Can you try it again and see if hitting the link still only opens the homepage? I will look to see if there are any settings I have messed up from this site. Not sure where to look though.

[sjdoyon]

Hey SJ....I logged onto photobucket and my albums are set to "public" option. Not sure what I have to do. Can you try it again and see if hitting the link still only opens the homepage? I will look to see if there are any settings I have messed up from this site. Not sure where to look though.

Tried your link again and I still am routed to the photobucket homepage. Maybe it will work for someone else.

[wiam]

Tried your link again and I still am routed to the photobucket homepage. Maybe it will work for someone else.

That is where I ended up too.

[Daren]

You know what? Me too! and they are my pics! I am going to try to change the hotlink altogether to see if that takes care of it. Thanks for looking though. There are some reallyl early years I want to put up there. Propane tank and a tinfoil turkey tray with the wire handles and a steam table tray. Only took a full 30lb of propane to get it close enough! LOL. It is a sickness eh?

[Daren]

Well sorry for the technical aspect of that photobucket mess, but I set up a new URL to it. That said...I got my wallboard up to cover the foamboard in the RO room today and worked on lifting the mainline I had to drop down when cutting the hemlocks out to mill up, so I am ready to start running some pipe. I think I can get er pretty well roughed in one afternoon. Not that many valves the way I picture it in my head and on paper. Sure hope this turns out the way I have it planned. Hey Justin......sure wish the plumbing options were spelled out a little better in this manual, but thanks again soooooo much for making me that copy. Gotta love the trader!