setting up the evaporator

[PrimitiveOperation]

Hi guys,

We've been busy since last season and have almost finished the new sugar shack!

Got a few questions concerning the older 2x4 lightening thats going in it.


1) I don't have the stack base, but the arch measures an opening of about 17x4 with a rectangular shape. I see that there are listings for stack bases of that size that taper to several different diameters??? Which one do I need?

2) Do I need a damper in the stack?


3) Should I put the feed tank on the inside of the shack or outside and what would be a good size tank for about one hundred taps?


4) Finally, what size feed line should I use from the tank to the evaporator?


Thank you for any information

[royalmaple]

You'd probably be able to use a 6inch or 7 inch stack, probably more towards 6 inch.

As far as the feed tank, unless you are going to try and use it as a bulk tank, you could use something 20-50 gallons. It might be easier to have a smaller tank over head and have several barrels or tanks on the ground that you collect / store / and pump out of into the feed tank.


Depending on how you answer above, it may alter where you keep the tank. A small feed tank could easily be installed inside, and larger tanks outside. And also depends on your size building, and available room overhead too.

I dont think you'd want any smaller than 3/4 line for feed line, but that would work well.


As far as storage of sap, plan on having enough room for 1 gallon of sap per day per tap, and also base it on how often you are able to boil. So if you boil every other day and have 100 taps, should have 200ish gallons of storage room.

[maple flats]

I would use 3/4" copper as a supply line (if you need more sap NOW it fills faster) and if it freezes a torch can thaw it fast. But never leave it full when not firing the evap. A 7 or 8" stack should be ok, I'd do the 8 with no damper, regulate the fire by a blower or air inlet door and not a damper. As for the 3/4" line I also suggest a bucket of sap at arm's reach to dump in fast if needed but keep this fresh and do not keep the same sap for more than 1 day. Concerning a feed tank, I prefer outside and elevated but have seen some using a small raised tank inside that is re filled from a larger outside tank. For size a good figure is to have at least 1gal/tap/day (will you boil every day?), sometimes this is not enough but usually yes. Remember your storage includes in the woods too. If a good flow lasts for several days you just boil longer.

[PrimitiveOperation]

Thanks guys!!

Hope to have water boiling within twoo weeks.

[brookledge]

As far as your base stack goes. If you know what style your arch is that will usually be all you need plus the measurements and you can order it from a supplier. or take the base dimensions to a local shop that does tin work for heating systems and have one made. Usually the tapers are 6 feet tall.
Keith