Vacuume Pumps...

[Mike R.]

First off I would like to say hello. I am not new to maple syrup but am new to the tubing and vacuum systems. I am 17 years old and have been making syrup with my family since I was small.

I am planning on having 150 taps on line this year. I have the 3/4" mainline set up in the bush already. I just need to get my end line fittings and I can start setting up the lateral lines. I have all 150 drop lines assembled already. I made my own tool for assembling them. What a life saver.

Now on to my question. I am looking at vacuum pumps. I have considered the Sap puller pump but I would like to have decent vacuum. ( I will leave the puller as my last resort) I have been looking at pumps on ebay. I will get the realeaser once I get the pump.

Here are some pumps I have been looking at and would like some input on.

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/GAST-Pressure-Vaccum-Air-Pump-/300825906199?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item460a9f0c17

2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GAST-RAA-P233-EB-Rocking-Piston-Pressure-Pump-100psi-115VAC-60Hz-3-8-NPT-/390474784190?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26 asc%3D142%26meid%3D4433748760927706181%26pid%3D100 010%26prg%3D1076%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D300825906199%26

3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thomas-Dual-oil-less-Vaccum-Pump-Model-2107CA14-18-840-/221160702331?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item337e34817b

Thanks in advance to all who reply. If you see any others on Ebay that you think are worth looking at post them.

[spencer11]

i looked at the pumps quick, i didnt see any that showed the cfm or how many inches it will pull, look at gast pumps, i saw a gast 1550 on ebay earlier today for $150 i think, what releaser do you plan to use? i built one (like one of my friends did) this fall, and am almost done and got it working

[Mike R.]

Thanks Spencer. I am thinking of a Lapierre 500 or making one if I get some plans. I have seen them on here before just have to find one.

I know I need about 4cfm and about 25in/hg.

It this the one you saw..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gast-1550-V193-Vane-Pump-/170961569197?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26 asc%3D142%26meid%3D4436782480102251255%26pid%3D100 010%26prg%3D1076%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D181018450573%26

Here is another

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Gast-1HAB-25-M100X-Vacuum-Pump-General-Electric-1-6-hp-Motor-A19-926-/121040742179?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item1c2e972723

I saw on another thread that someone was using one like this.
http://mechanicstoolsupply.com/2V-110-6-CFM-Single-Stage-Vacuum-Pump_p_18785.html#

[spencer11]

the first one you posted is the one i saw, good price for it. i built mine for under 200, and my friend who's i copied, said he run 400 taps on it and is gonna add another 200 on it. so it will handle lots of taps. heres the thread that has some pics of the person i got the idea from http://www.sugarbush.info/forums/showthread.php?t=1068&highlight=homemade+releaser

[Gary R]

If using Gast pumps you should stick with dry rotary vane types. Models 0523, 0823 and 1023 would be good. They run about 26" and are 4-10 CFM open flow. Do not use any petroleum product in them. The carbon vanes will swell and shatter. $100+ to fix.

[Mike R.]

Models 0523, 0823 and 1023 would be good. They run about 26" and are 4-10 CFM open flow

Now that y'all have got me on the right track. I have looked on Ebay and they have all 3 models that were recommended. Which of these would be the best or are they equal.

[Gary R]

The only difference between the three I listed is the amount of CFM and electricity used. Everyone can easily go to the Gast web site and look up specifications for any of the pumps. One must remember that the Gast pumps are rated for open flow. That means that is the CFM they move at atmospheric pressure. These pumps have a linear pumping curve. For the 0523 it is rated at 4.5CFM and 26.5" vacuum. You would draw a line from 4.5CFM at atmospheric to 0CFM at 26.5". This means the CFM at 13.25" is 2.25CFM. These pumps are not very efficient but they are trouble free. The 0523 will work but I do believe it is on the small side for 100 plus taps. I'm using a Gast 2565. I just got done fixing it and it is running at 27.5"

[Mike R.]

What other brands of vacuum pumps and models would y'all consider looking at.

Just to give some other info on my set up I have 700 feet of mainline 3/4" diameter. The main line runs at a 2% slope to the base of the hill then up the hill at about a 4% grade 10foot high.

Just found the below thread and the Gast 1023 should suit my needs perfectly and allow me to expand latter on which I know I will because I have already been bitten by the bug.

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?13415-Is-this-pump-big-enough