Pre-heater question

[dakotasky]

Hello to all, this is my first year sugaring with a real evaporator and ive read a lot of the threads about using copper coiled around the stack to pre heat the sap. I purchased a new 2x4 Next Generation evaporater and it came with the little pre heater box that sits on top of the pan in the rear. My question is this, is there a bennefit to running the coiled copper in addition to the pre heater box or dont i really even need it?

[325abn]

I think anything you can do to get the sap closer to boil temp before it goes into your pan is a good thing. I will also be using a copper coil aroiund my stack this year as I have doen in the past. This year I will coil 3/8 copper around my stack, insulate as best I can then go over that assembley with a piece of 10" stack. I will also have a vent pipe at the top before my feed tank fitting.

[dakotasky]

I guess my concern was what some were saying about the sap scorching in the tube and steam pressure building. So the vent would eliminate the pressure problem and sap burning usually isnt an issue? I like the description of yours with the outside shield and insulation, maybe ill try to build that yet before the season starts if I have time.

[Sev's Sugar Bush]

im running a 2.5x8 evaporator how much copper tubing would be ideal to preheat sap

[striker3636]

I think anything you can do to get the sap closer to boil temp before it goes into your pan is a good thing. I will also be using a copper coil aroiund my stack this year as I have doen in the past. This year I will coil 3/8 copper around my stack, insulate as best I can then go over that assembley with a piece of 10" stack. I will also have a vent pipe at the top before my feed tank fitting.

When you put the vent in, is it as simple as a T fitting with a little bit of copper tube that runs a bit higher than the preheater assembly/supply tank feed, left open?

[325abn]

That is eactly my plan.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

watch for vapor lock in the coil tube

[wiam]

When you put the vent in, is it as simple as a T fitting with a little bit of copper tube that runs a bit higher than the preheater assembly/supply tank feed, left open?

It needs to go higher than your feed tank level.

[325abn]

Here are a few shot of the pre heater I did today 40Ft x 3/8. I still need to install a vent, simple T will do.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/reagantrooper/DSCN3145_zps25333b0c.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/reagantrooper/DSCN3147_zpsce6dc74f.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/reagantrooper/DSCN3149_zps58cd546b.jpg

[Paul VT]

Looks good. You will have to post how hot it gets the sap coming out.

[325abn]

I ended up using a piece of 8" duct to cover the copper, I made it tight as I could get it and used screws to hold it. I found the 3/8 was much easier to work around the 6" pipe than was 1/2". I also only used insulation at the top and bottom as you see in the shot. The thinking being that this may help prevent boil in the pipe.

[dakotasky]

Looks great. How high would your head tank have to be for that set up though? Mine is about 14" higher than the pre heater pan , so i'm wondering if I would need to raise my feed tank platform?

[325abn]

My feed tank in sitting at 8Ft above the floor.

[maple flats]

I just hope you don't get it too hot in the tube. May I suggest you check out how fellow member Johnny Cuervo did his. Look in his pictures. He can regulate the temperature by changing the number of loops in contact with the pipe.