3/16th vacuum gauge installation pics

[GramaCindy]

I am going to add aprox. 50 taps on 3/16 laterals this year and I have the vacuum gauges and fittings. I am wondering how to go about installing them on my top tap. I have searched the forum, but am having a hard time finding a pic or diagram. Any help would be appreciated.

[BSD]

I bought some gauges from bascom, $7.50/ea with a 1/4MPT on it, then i got a 3/16x1/4 FPT adapter for the end of the run. I will T it into a 316-316-316 drop tee. planning on using a 30" lead to keep it above the height of the last tap hole. I'm going to just string it to the tree with twine or wire.

https://www.bascommaple.com/item/vpga20/gauge/
https://www.bascommaple.com/item/dgad316012/316_tubing_fittings/

[psparr]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170129/3363bacbf68a208ec0c9e4eade659bf1.jpg

Not great, but here's a picture of mine.
Couldn't fine a 3/16 barb fitting, but 1/4" worked. Just warmed up the tubing to get it on.
What's nice is you can just use a T to connect the line to the last tree, and use that T for your vacuum gauge.

[maple flats]

I do them like the picture above, but I have adapters in brass for both 5/16 lines and 3/16 lines. I bought them from http://danielsmaple.com/ They work good. I just T that line into the end of the lateral and tie the gauge to a tree or bush. I bought a bunch of gauges on Ebay about 2-3 years ago for $5.00 each. On a few laterals I also put a gauge in this way at the bottom just before it joins the main, and all my mains have them at the top end. This all helps find leaks faster.

[GramaCindy]

Thanks everyone....I guess I was definitely overthinking that one.

[SeanD]

FYI, if you go with a plastic adapter, squeeze your tool gently. I went in on a slight angle and the barb end crumpled a bit. After a few colorful words, I was able to straighten it a bit and get it in with no leaks. Nevertheless, lesson learned.

Sean

[wnybassman]

FYI, if you go with a plastic adapter, squeeze your tool gently. I went in on a slight angle and the barb end crumpled a bit. After a few colorful words, I was able to straighten it a bit and get it in with no leaks. Nevertheless, lesson learned.

Sean

I made up a couple gauge drops today and noticed that. That barb was quite a bit weaker than sap fitting barbs and had a controlled bow in the barb as I was pressing it on.

Also, when I took a gauge out of the box, it was already reading 7 inches. Dang, I knew 3/16ths was going to be good, but I didn't realize I'd have vacuum without even tapping a tree yet!! :D

[Bucket Head]

Last year I got gauges from F.W. Webb that were $3.56 each. Part #BSHPGV-30
Not sure what they are this year.

[wnybassman]

I checked my gauge tonight after things froze up. It was reading zero, which I thought was odd because I thought I remember reading that it would hold the vacuum after freeze-up. It was constantly reading 23 inches during the flow.

Also, I noticed what appears to be ice going up the stem to the gauge, almost looking like it had made it clear to the fitting. I have it on a 24-30 inch length of tubing just like a drop. Is this normal, or a problem?

[maple flats]

It pulled the sap up to the gauge as things just started to freeze. You had vacuum in the line to the gauge, thus pulling slush up to the gauge. I see this most of the time but it does not seem to hurt the gauges.

[GramaCindy]

15377
I made three gauge drops yesterday. Piece of cake!

[JoshM]

Vacuum gauge before or after the tap?

[Super Sapper]

It will work either way but I usually like to install after the last tap.

[maple flats]

Also, on a few of my 3/16 laterals I also add a gauge about 1/2-3/4 (in elevation drop) of the way down to see what the vacuum is there. Since that woods also has 19" vacuum at a vacuum tank, I usually see the same reading as at the top. If the vacuum pump is not running for some reason, the lower gauge reads lower vacuum.
My vacuum tank is being redone this year. I'm going to eliminate vacuum on the tank, then run 23-24" on a releaser. Maybe next year I'll even get a better pump for more vacuum.