Copper Coil Stack Preheater-How many feet ???

[TerryEspo]

Good Morning Everyone:

My good friend got me a 25' roll of 3/8 soft copper tubing.

I had approx. 10 '- 12' from last year. I have the choice to connect both pieces or just use the new 25' roll if it will be enough.

My question is, Does anybody know how much tubing is needed to wrap around the stack ?

Can I have too much coiled around the stack?

I will be insulating the copper coil. My plan is to wrap it all with creamic blanket.

I am trying to get the sap as close to 190F- 200F, as I have read here that is a desired temp for sap entering the boil.

25' or 37',,,What do I use ?

Thanks.

Terry

[lafite]

great question. I'm looking at adding copper as well. I hope someone chimes in! the last thing I want is to create a maple still!!

[smokeyamber]

Do a search, others have done this, and it can get tricky. I plan to do it as well only using 3/4 copper. If you don't feed it fast enough then it can boil/vaporize in coil and burn the sap, which isn't what you want going into an evaporator. I'm thinking of setting mine up with a continous flow into my preheater pan on the back of the evaporator. the preheater will have an overflow on it into a bucket, that way I can keep the sap flowing to prevent burning and not have to monitor the flow as much. I can just dump the overflow stuff in the preheater once and a while when the preheater pan gets low. Sounds kinda complicated, but I don't want to burn the sap. Other benefit of using the preheater pan is that if the sap does burn it will hit there first and I can turn it off and divert to the overflow. Also putting in a bypass before the preheater is yet another safety measure.

All this to heat sap is silly, but hey if it works I can sit back and have a boiling soda :D

Good luck and enjoy the season !

[TerryEspo]

Agree about tricky for sure.

Thinking about my question, it is not a clear answer.

It would depend on your sap temp entering the copper tube, what diameter copper tube, how hot the stack is, insulated, windy, indoor or outdoor, how fast your drip is going,,,,many factors.

I am thinking it is an individual adjustment we all must control individualy.
Even at our own machines we will probably have to adjust the drip periodically as we are boiling each day.

Another job for the test boil.

Thanks guys.

Terry

[325abn]

I would go with the 37. I have 40Ft of 3/8 on mine. Also put a vent after the feed tank and before the stack. Here are a few shots of mine as I was putting together.

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

[TerryEspo]

Hey 325,

I saw those pics of your great job, forgot about them. Great to see them again.

I hope your dont mind I borrow your idea of the metal wrap around all of it, love it. I was just going to use the ceramic blanket, but yours looks so much cleaner and permanent.

What is your evap rate on your arch ? That to me is important as to how much flow my drip will be.

Thanks.

Terry

[325abn]

Ran test boil today. Was running 97 - 130 out of the feed tube with no vapor lock or steam issues. Yet!! Ran it less than an hour with just water.

Will post pics soon.

[TerryEspo]

That a great temp to reach, I am waiting for one of my friends to assist me to get the new arch into the driveway at least to do my test boil. I would love to see my coil sap temp,,,,cant wait.

Terry

[325abn]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/reagantrooper/DSCN3214_zpsf4b2a2a4.jpg
Feed tank notice vent

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/reagantrooper/DSCN3212_zps86e74697.jpg

Down by the pan. Certianly some tweeking to do. Notice the drops on the feed tube where it is over the pan. I am going to adjust it so it runs on the outside of the pan untill it 90s into it. I was getting 97 running the ball valve wide open and 130 with it open to where I will have it while running it low.

[RC Maple]

Looks like a well thought out plan. How do fill your feed tank, how big is it and how often do you need to do it?

[scottdevine]

After being inspired by this thread, i finished my pre-heater coil this afternoon. i'm ready for the next run getting ready to start her in CT this week. THANK YOU MT.com community.

13060

[325abn]

Three years since this thread was started. Boy how time flies by! Still using that pre heater coil!

[TerryEspo]

I am needing to make a new coil this year, old one is in rough shape. Blame it on poor management while in storage, lol.

Getting anxious for the season.

Terry