How to build homemade

[Bigb]

I am a mild enthusiast who is a small operation. My brother-in-law, grandfather and I have less then 20 taps out and only produce a couple gallons a year. We have been looking into RO systems but don't need the large $1500+ setups. We are interested if anyone could help us in what to buy and how to assemble a small system that will satisfy our needs. We typically will boil anywhere for 40-70 gallons of sap at a time currently. If anyone could offer some insight and knowledge we appreciate it.

[Bigb]

We also would like to be able to build one that can be expandable, as we are looking to expand our operation in the future and produce more syrup

[jake22si]

Search the R/O forum, there is some good info, you may have to work a little for it. I don't think people are gonna just hand you their hard work

[Clinkis]

Check out this link below. With the info from maple trader and this other site I just built an RO. It works well and is good for a max of about 100 taps. Ask intelligent and respectful questions and most people on this site are more then willing to help and share info about this topic and their own designs.

https://sites.google.com/site/mattatuckmadnessmaplesyrup/home/homemade-reverse-osmosis-system

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

one tower 80
one membrane 125 gph 280
pump and motor 1/2hp prob around 300
perm meter 35
concen meter 56
2 three way valves ?
misc plumbing 100
wood for box 50
jet pump 125
whole house filter 25
electrical wiring ?

[spencer11]

Check out SBI there are a few step by step threads on there about how to make one

[Diesel Pro]

Check out this link below. With the info from maple trader and this other site I just built an RO. It works well and is good for a max of about 100 taps. Ask intelligent and respectful questions and most people on this site are more then willing to help and share info about this topic and their own designs.

https://sites.google.com/site/mattatuckmadnessmaplesyrup/home/homemade-reverse-osmosis-system

This is one I'd be looking at for a smaller operation. I probably overkilled mine as I have about $1500 worth of parts in mine, but time will tell.

[bowhunter]

Diesel,

You're right. This guy has a good little system that works and is very reasonable to build. By the way I saw not-for-sale cheering you on. I don't know if you picked it up on the forum, but he's a marketing guy and it looks like he must have stock in these equipment companies. Good luck with your own system. I think you'll need to tap a 2-3,000 trees to make good use of it.

Dave

[Mikeh]

Hi Bigb, I guess I'm not sure why you wouldn't just invest your time and money into a bigger evaporator? 10-15 gph would get rid of that sap relatively quickly.

[hodorskib]

I created the mattatuck madness site with the homemade RO plans. I have 75 taps out using sap bags and to date I have collected 1300 gallons of sap and have boiled only 335 gallons. The system will concentrate to 6-6.5% with about 4-5 gph in a heated area. I successfully processed 140 gallons in 24 hours the other day. TOTAL cost is right around 300 dollars so for me it is a perfect setup. I don't ever plan on getting any bigger so this is the system for me or anyone with under 75 taps any larger and I would recommend a bigger system. I boil on a small 2x3 divided flat pan and can make a gallon of syrup every 2 hours. If you have any questions my email is on the website. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Clinkis]

Hi Bigb, I guess I'm not sure why you wouldn't just invest your time and money into a bigger evaporator? 10-15 gph would get rid of that sap relatively quickly.

Evaporators still need to be attended and burn fuel. RO's can run unattended and use very little electricity which is important to most hobbyists who have day jobs. I collect my sap and then turn on my RO and walk away. 9 hours later 45 gallons of sap is now 20 gallons of concentrate and I didn't have to do a thing. Also, you can build a little RO for about $300. You can't even buy a small pan for that. This RO has essentially allowed my to more then double the capacity of my evaporator without having to upgrade it. I use propane and I have calculated that it is saving me 58% on fuel cost and boiling time. That said, I thinks it's a balance. You still need an appropriate size evaporator to keep up with the concentrate produced from your sap by the RO. Also, these small RO's are only good for a max of 100 taps. Once you go over that a bigger RO is needed and you would need to balance the cost of that with versus upgrading your evaporator.