Pre-heater pictures

[PARKER MAPLE]

Was wondering if any of you could put up some pictures if your home made pre-heaters. In running a 5ft back pan on my 3x8 rig and want to build a pre-heater for it. Was wondering size of pipe and where to place vent?
Any help would be great
MR

[clw]

Here's my pre-heater. I run a copper pipe thru the firebox. When the sap runs out then I pull the copper pre-heater out from the firebox.80498050

[bigjohnsons]

clw, interesting set up, how did it work? What was your tempature rise of the sap? I was thinking about trying a setup similar to yours this year, by running my preheater tubing inside my flu. Last year I wrapped the flue with 3/8 tubing, but it didn't make impact that I was looking for.

[NH Maplemaker]

Maple Rookie, go to the member list and find WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER , click on the little house after his name. That should take you to his photobucket . under albums click on preheater! He has great pictures of his home built preheater! I built one from his pictures and get 200 plus degrees! Check it out.

[NH Maplemaker]

Try this link ! s203.photobucket.com/user/wvmapler/library/

[clw]

Bigjohnsons,
Considering the type of amateur rig that I was using, I think it worked great. I never took a temperature measurement so I can't answer that. But you could not hold your finger under the flow into the pan - it was too hot.
clw

[PARKER MAPLE]

NHMaplemaker, thank you for your reply that's exactly what im looking for. Is a drip tray ness or would it be ok you think if I bent a V channel for the condensate to drip into?? Any help would be great

[NH Maplemaker]

Yes the V channels is what I did! They work very well. I feel the steam is a little hotter going directly to the preheater and not having to travel along the bottom of the drip tray and then to the preheater. Just my thought ! You will also have to put a damper in the steam stack to hold more of the steam in!

[PARKER MAPLE]

Did you use 1" copper?

[NH Maplemaker]

Yes 1" thin wall, also put a drain valve in the low point end of manifold for those cold nights !

[Deano686]

NH Maplemaker, is the length of pipe that is turned upward the vent? Thinking of building one this year. My other question would be, would it be better to build it with a sort of continuos flow with elbows instead of T's. The only concern woul be where to vent.

[NH Maplemaker]

Deano686, yes that is the vent. The top of vent pipe must be higher than the head tank! If it is not it will push sap out the vent pipe when the head tank is full. On the top of my vent pipe I made it in the shape of a U with the open end of the U facing downward above the float box. I then placed a piece of one and inch ribbed plastic pipe back down to the float box. That way if it should get an air bubble and burp or sap should push out from the head tank it will not spray all over somebody standing underneath it! It will just go into the float box.
As for continuous flow versus parallel flow? Continuous flows are prone to vapor lock.(One pipe one big gas bubble) Parallel flow are not as susceptible to vapor lock due to the many routes the sap can travel in the preheater. This is an opinion that is not shared by all. But it is my opinion and my opinion only ! Most pre-heaters built by commercial evaporator companies are parallel flow. I hope this helps!

[PARKER MAPLE]

Thanks guys for all the info, I just emAilec my plumber buddy with a list of materials needed to put this together..

[Deano686]

Thanks a bunch NH Maplemaker. Might be a stretch for me to get the preheater up and running for the upcoming season, as I am currently expanding the entire evaporator, and will probably be hard pressed o get done as it is.But this sure will help when I do get the chance to add it to the setup!!
Thanks again
Dean

[PARKER MAPLE]

Ok fellas I found a great deal today on 3/4" copper and fittings. So I bought it. Is there any reason 3/4" won't work for my preheater?? I'm doing a parrell flow design. 6 over 6
MR

[NH Maplemaker]

What size pipe are you feeding it with now? If it is the same size or larger you should be fine!

[PARKER MAPLE]

1" from feed tank

[Ryan August]

Parrallel design??? what is this. I have been reading on the homemade pre heaters, some fellas coil around the stove pipe, some insulate, some use the parrallel. Can you explain this and why I want this vs another home made design at all?
thanks

[jmayerl]

With a parallel design I would think 3/4 is fine. Remember that you are running 6 of them so basically 6 times the size of 3/4.

[PARKER MAPLE]

That was my thoughts but might be wrong. The only thing I can think that might be a problem is it kinda bottle necking on the float box end. I might change that manifold to 1" and keep the rest the same..
MR

[Pibster]

8235
Here's one.

[NH Maplemaker]

You better change it so you have 1"coming in and 1" coming out and use the 3/4 in the middle for the preheater !

[PARKER MAPLE]

Ok I was thinking that today. Looks like going to Fw Webbs for fitting tomorrow.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Ok I was thinking that today. Looks like going to Fw Webbs for fitting tomorrow.
yea rookie i used 1-1/4 copper but i have a plumber right next door and the feed into float is 1-1/4. if i had to do it over i would use 3/4 i feel sap would get more heat which would increase float box temp.

[PARKER MAPLE]

Flat what are you getting for temps out of that??

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

160/170 consistant

[PARKER MAPLE]

This pre heater will have several Benny's for me, not only make hotter sap. But create a nice amount of hot water for washing up. I plan on piping the condensate right into my sink. This will have an over flow so it will just run in and out all ways hot.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

On a good night I will make about 12 gal hot water might want to save it not just let it go down the drain

[PARKER MAPLE]

The parrell design that I'm shooting for I was told will fill a 5 gallon pail in less then one hour, and they said it will continually run apprx 180-190. So hot you can put your hands in it. We will shortly see. I didn't make it today to pick up the other supplies need to finish it up. Oh well Monday is another day. I did find a sweet double milk parlor sink today at an old milk house on my way home. I will have to stop Monday and see what they want for it..
MR