5 or 7.5 hp high pressure pump.

[gearpump]

Looking at a new 600 RO this year and the real factor that it is coming down too is the size of the high pressure pump. Is it worth going the extra bit and getting the bigger pump? Seems like Lappiere goes with a 5hp pump and then adds another pump if expanding in the future, but all the other companies you have to plan ahead with the larger pump. Any suggestions would be great.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I'm running about 600 to 650 gph with 5 HP CDL machine removing 85% first past with one post and when we add a second post this summer should put it around 1,000 gph. If my machine had a 7.5 hp pump, a second post would go to about 1,200 gph instead of 1,000 which is difference.

[lew]

If you think you may ever expand, who doesn't, go with the larger pump.

[Russell Lampron]

If you don't plan to add a second post the 5hp pump will be big enough. If you do add a second post to a Lapierre 600 with a 5hp pump it will make it a 900.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Guy we work for has a 5 HP CDL 600 with 2 posts and it does fine. With that said, at 5300 taps and considering expansion part of the expansion plan is a 7.5 HP motor and 3rd post. Not sure what that will put it at.

[maple2]

We added a second post to our Lapierre 600 a few years ago.It made it faster but cant build enough pressure to make it much sweeter. Now we need to either add another 5hp or install a 7.5hp. Both expensive and has to go back to Lapierre. Should have gone with the 7.5hp when we bought the machine.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I have a customer that put in a 5 HP 2 post machine last year and he goes 12% to 15% in one pass depending on how much time he has. He is easily making 20+ gph on it and a 3x12 oil fired deluxe with 3,000 taps on high vacuum and could easily do another 2,000 or 3,000. Best to spend a few hundred more and get an expandable machine regardless of 5HP or 7.5 HP.

[gearpump]

I guess I should have trusted my instinct and not questioned the higher pump size. Bigger is always better! Had to talk my wife out of buying an RO this weekend on the spot at the open houses in VT because I wanted to make sure we were making the best decision for the future.... I know, never talk your wife out of buying equipment. LOL!

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Had to talk my wife out of buying an RO this weekend on the spot at the open houses in VT

That's a good problem to have but to get some savings/incentives from manufacturers keep in mind that spring is generally the best time to buy.