valve for shurflo

[Jpd1]

Hi,

I want to install a shurflo pump on my gravity system. I bought shurflo 4008 pump + strainer, thermostats 12 v, build a manifold for my 5/16 line. 12089

My system should work without me. I have 2 manuals 1/2 valve and I do not want the ice break the diaphragm of my pump if I not here. It is possible to change my manual valve with electric 12v ?

JP

[Biz]

There are 12V electric solenoid valves out there. Most of them are normally closed meaning you need power to open them, remove power to close them. These might work for you, depending on how you are plumbing things up. They will add extra drain on the battery if that is an issue. I ended up getting a couple motorized ball valves for my pump, which only draw power for a couple seconds when changing to open or closed. I did this because I need to conserve battery power. Worked well but more complicated to set up. Set mine up so that when pump turns off, the valve blocks sap from running into the pump and possibly freezing up.

Dave

[Jpd1]

I bought 2 valves yesterday (12 v). One normally close and one normally open. I will run ma pump with panel solar 100 w and 2 deep cycle battery. Do you have a pics of your setting?

Thank's for your time!

[maple flats]

You are assuming the 100W panel will produce 100W. In solar that is rare, it requires a perfect scenario to ever get that. With that combo you will need to charge a batteries often. I suggest you get a bigger panel and a small MPPT charge controller or plan to recharge the batteries every night. On a 12V panel, the perfect temp and max sun will give you almost 100W which is just over 8 amps, but you will be using 7.9 amps all day. In mid Feb-mid April you are lucky to get 3.5-4 hrs of insolation ( the effective amount of sun available to the panel) and that is only if you have a sunny day with no shade ever hitting the panel.
I think solar is a great idea (I have 6.32 KW of solar at my sugarhouse) but you need to realize the limitations.
I you get a panel about 245 W +/- a few and an MPPT charge controller you will be OK unless there are a couple of cloudy days in a row, in which case you will still need a supplemental charge.

[Biz]

Good info on the solar chargers, Dave. I did some testing with my 4008 Shurflo pump under vacuum, and it was only drawing about 1.5 amps or less. It was not pumping anything, just drawing a vacuum but working reasonably hard. I think the heavy current draw would be when it is pumping sap at a high flow rate or pumping up a hill, but most of the time current draw will be much less. Now I'm curious about it so will have to do some more testing... The 40W panel I used is definitely not large enough to sustain it. I'm not known for using overkill if it costs extra money :)

Dave

[Jpd1]

Thank's

I have also a controler for my pannel. The shurflo pump use 1.25-1.50 amp and not 8 amp. I hope to have enought power with my 100 w panel.

My first question is: If I want to use this pump without me, can I use manuel valve or not?




I freeze fears that the water in the pump and breaks the membrane... I study to use electronique valve.

[Super Sapper]

If you use a temp. controller and set it to shut the pump off after the lines freeze the strainer should keep all the ice out and the pump dry. I had no problems last year doing this.

[Jpd1]

Hi Super sapper,

Can you take a picture of your set up?

[Super Sapper]

I do not have any pictures but if you search for a thread called 1st day sap puller it will have the info in there.

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?22328-1st-Day-Sap-Puller&highlight=sap+puller

[Jpd1]

Thank's you, I have read every post of 1st day... a lot of informations but no body use electrique valve. Maybe, i will be the first and i will say next season if a i good result with this...

I have buy 2 electronique valve (one normally open and one normally close)