Measuring sap volume

[halladaymaple]

Hi

Does anyone have a web link to a device to measure sap volume. I would like to know how much sap i go through in a season (in gallons). I was thinking of putting it in line between my storage tank and evap or between my storage tank and my head tank.

Thanks

[Big_Eddy]

Hi

Does anyone have a web link to a device to measure sap volume. I would like to know how much sap i go through in a season (in gallons). I was thinking of putting it in line between my storage tank and evap or between my storage tank and my head tank.

Thanks

Hose connector sized - but measures liquid volume. Probably not big enough for your needs, but there's probably something similar in a larger size.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=70505&cat=2,2280,33160

[ennismaple]

That's a great idea for the small producers who don't go through hundreds of gallons of sap per hour! A totalling flowmeter (like a water meter for domestic residential use) would work well if you have a bigger feed line. I believe they need to be level for accurate readings and cannot be allowed to freeze.

[DrTimPerkins]

I believe they need to be level for accurate readings and cannot be allowed to freeze.

That is just one of the conditions for proper use to get accurate readings. The should also NOT have an elbow or fitting of any type closer than 5-10X (minimum) the diameter of the pipe on either side of the meter. Finally....correct....you don't want them to freeze.

[halladaymaple]

Thanks for advice, I think i have an idea on a product now. Cant wait to post gallons per tap and syrup per tap results. Also liters of oil per liter of syrup, all kinds of things to calculate

Thanks everyone

Darrell

[northwoods_forestry]

Thanks for advice, I think i have an idea on a product now. Cant wait to post gallons per tap and syrup per tap results. Also liters of oil per liter of syrup, all kinds of things to calculate

So glad to hear that I'm not the only one math happy about sugaring!!!

[spud]

Webb's sells flowmeters for any size mainline. I have a friend that bought one for his 1 1/2 inch mainline and it cost about $300.00

Spud

[DrTimPerkins]

Webb's sells flowmeters for any size mainline. I have a friend that bought one for his 1 1/2 inch mainline and it cost about $300.00

If installed directly into a mainline coming out of the woods, it would likely have some significant errors in the measurement due to the air and ice in the line.

[PerryFamily]

A quick note on residential water meters.
I believe ( pretty sure ) most residential meters measure in CFM, cubic feet per minute, not GPM, or GPH.
I am sure some math guy could convert the numbers to make sense.
Maybe if you bought new you could specify how you wanted it .

Oh by the way, ever price a new residential meter ? Wicked expensive. I would think cost prohibitive.
I put a new 6" sprinkler line and a new 2" copper line for domestic water in a restaurant that also has a few apartments in it. I sized the 2" to keep up with peak flow ( volume ), well the town water guy was pissed that he had to buy a 2" meter because they were super expensive. We ended up bushing it down to a 3/4"meter due to cost.

[Waynehere]

Webb's sells flowmeters for any size mainline. I have a friend that bought one for his 1 1/2 inch mainline and it cost about $300.00

Spud

Hey Spud, can you let us know who or what Webb is? :)
Thanks

[DrTimPerkins]

I believe ( pretty sure ) most residential meters measure in CFM, cubic feet per minute, not GPM, or GPH.

Typically they read in total gallons that have run through the device. Most are not easily resettable, so you have to subtract the last reading from the current reading to get the amount of sap you just put through them.

Don't let them freeze with sap in them.

Also....good idea to flush them with water occasionally. The sugar in the sap can make them stick.....which can restrict or stop the flow of sap through them, which is a really bad thing if you install it on your evaporator inlet pipe.


Oh by the way, ever price a new residential meter ? Wicked expensive. I would think cost prohibitive.

Yes, new meters can be quite expensive, however there are often used meters kicking around from various municipal upgrade projects. Ask around and you'll might be able to find them pretty cheaply.

[spud]

Hey Spud, can you let us know who or what Webb is? :)
Thanks

Webb's is a plumbing supply store mainly for contractors. They do sell to Maple people under a maple account. They have stores in several places here in Vermont (and maybe in other states). The store I shop at is in Saint Albans Vermont.

Spud

[ennismaple]

A quick note on residential water meters.
I believe ( pretty sure ) most residential meters measure in CFM, cubic feet per minute, not GPM, or GPH.
1 USG = 0.13368 cubic feet, or 1 cubic foot = 7.48 USG

[wiam]

http://www.fwwebb.com/locations/locations.php

[PerryFamily]

Dr. Tim- that is correct. Meters measure in total volume not in a per minute fashion.
As far as used, I have seen the insides of some and with the mineral build up they can be pretty nasty.
Also depending on age, they most likely are leaded brass.

[DrTimPerkins]

As far as used, I have seen the insides of some and with the mineral build up they can be pretty nasty.
Also depending on age, they most likely are leaded brass.

True on both accounts.