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View Full Version : Attaching lats to mainline questions



SevenCreeksSap
01-18-2012, 08:37 PM
After some consultation and looking at a real system set up, I decided to break down and spend more money ( im in deep, why quit spending now) on mainline. I was planning on just using 5/16 but dont want to do it all twice.

So the system I was looking at was vac and I am not running vac and won't for at least this year. I will have gravity on a steep hill. at least 80-100 ft drop over 600 ft of length from top of hill to bottom (its fun to walk up). His setup was proffesionally done, he installs systems but I didnt think to ask this.

Where the lat attaches I understand using the connector on the mainline wire and having a half loop curling around to the saddle so the tubing doesnt pull off of the saddle. keep in mind my mainline will be running parallel to the hill and all my lats will be on one side coming down hill to the main. I cant see any lats going in from the bottom side. I'll just run parallel mains all along the hillside.

His vac setup had that loop dropping down below the main at about 30 degrees more or less. he explained thats how to check leaks and all on the vac. Does that half loop HAVE to be below the mainline on a gravity system? Or should I try to make it more level for drainage? I havent run the mains yet and not sure if I can even keep them at only 2-4% drop because of the terrain. I guess if my mains are a little steeper it may resolve itself.

It seems to me on gravity if I drop that half loop down I'll always have sap laying in there, freezing on slow days, bacteria gathering if multiple days with no flow, ect. Does it matter much if sap lays in those spots on the lats? Am I overthinking this?

Thanks

spencer11
01-18-2012, 08:47 PM
what i have seen the lateral comes to the mainline and onto a connector that is hooked to the wire and loopes back around to the saddle. the loop back around was level with the mainline. im not sure if this setup was gravity r vac. i hope this helps some.

spencer

wiam
01-18-2012, 09:47 PM
There will be a minimal amount of sap setting in that loop on gravity or vacuum. Don't worry about it.

sjdoyon
01-19-2012, 06:33 PM
sounds a little off.

Check out the video: Demonstration at the end

Seasonal spile, elbow hook & T-slider installation
http://www.sugaringequipment.elapierre.com/default_en.asp?no=113#video

maplwrks
01-20-2012, 07:27 AM
It should be as level as possible--But , I do have some that actually tip up. This doesn't affect the sap flow at all. His setup is fine also