New Vacuum Pump

[K.I. Joe]

Just got a great deal on a vacuum pump......Free!!!! It is an ingersoll rand V235 with a 1.5 HP electric motor. Any of you have any idea if this would be a good pump for my taps and if so how many taps.

[maple flats]

That pump with a 2 HP motor can get over 21 CFM and is rated to 29" vac., but likely not at the same time. I don't see the vac level when it gets 21.6 CFM but it is most likely at 15". At the 29" you won't get 21 cFM.
Looks like a great find!!!

[K.I. Joe]

So what is the general rule for vacuum? What is the CFM needed? I realize that it must go up depending on the number of taps but there must be a general rule for needing a certain amount

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Recommendations are 1 cfm per 100 taps. I regard this as a bare minimum and prefer at least double that particularly if there are long mainlines and ladders or other extras in the system.

[K.I. Joe]

Thanks Thompson, any info on pumps and systems is appreciated because I know nothing about setting up my system. Thanks

[maple flats]

The 1 CFM per 100 taps is only for a super tight system, that is why most try for more like 50/1 or even 40/1. Even then it is important to check for leaks, but a few small leaks aren't as much of a problem. Also, as Thompson says, sap ladders, if needed require more CFM.
However you must make sure your lines are large enough. I suggest you hunt up a study done by Steve Childs, Cornell Maple Specialist, where he shows that a large pump will not make up for lines that are too small. He showed something like a small pump at 15" on a long system, maybe 3/4" main and a bigger pump at 26" on the same line get the same vacuum level at the far end from the pump. Do some studying before you design your mains, or possibly a wet/dry system. Larger or very long systems benefit from wet/dry, but smaller and shorter systems do not need them.

[BreezyHill]

Don't forget about Steve Childs data that after 800' of 1" mainline the size of the pump doesn't matter you will only get a set amount of cfms thru the pipe. After 200' the cfm conduction of the mainline drops drastically. I have the data if you want to send me an email I will email it to you. It will help you to calculate mainline size and takes into account slope, length, taps, etc. Sounds like a good pump...now just have to do the math and start laying mainline. If you do it right you will be boiling when others on gravity aren't even running. Ladders do take cfms but...remember one 1" vacuum = sap 1' of rise. Steps work better than one big jump...but 18' ladders work great on my 27" system.

On a new system leaks will be less of an issue as long as tubing and connections are good.

Look at using y instead of tee to increase vac to tap holes. I used several y on drops and found little if any sap backup in drop verses tees that had quite a lot. Better angle to introduce sap into tubing.

I own a feed mill and we cant pump molasses thru 90 elbows well...but... two 45 and a 6" nipple between and no flow reduction. So a y will increase flow rate to the mainline.


Ben

Did away with hauling sap by installing ladders.
Next season will install 2 more ladder systems one w/ 52' of total rise and another with 48'.
28x30 sap house
RO
Renovating Farms sap system to be more efficient and to teach tapping to 4-H.
Delaval receiver system and glass tubing in sugar house
building forced draft preheater for stack

[K.I. Joe]

Thanks Ben, Good Info

[brookledge]

One thing to remember with CFM ratings is that most pumps are rated at open flow. Meaning at zero inches HG. the higher the vacuum the lower the cfm. The same holds true with an air compressor. the cfm will be high at low pressure then the higher the pressure the less cfm.
So if you can look at the curve on a graph of your pump it will tell you. Gast has a good website for all there models and the spec chart will tell you the cfm at the amount of vac you are operating at
Keith

[K.I. Joe]

FYI

Just found out that I get 18CFM at 29hg with this pump so it should work for my bush.

[TheMapleMoose]

It is rates for 18 CFM and the max vacuum is 29", however don't expect 18 CFM @ 29". The CFM rating is most likely 15", could even be 0"