what else needed besides vacuum pump?

[dhbiker1]

I found a 1/2 hp high vacuum pump for a good price that I am considering purchasing. I am just wondering what else I need and what I could go without (releaser, etc.) Also any cheaper solutions to the extra needed items. thanks

[brookledge]

What is the CFM's? Usually you need a bigger unit than a 1/2HP motor. Anyways You need 1 CFM per 100 taps. ANd that rating should be at atleast 15"Hg. Some times ratings are at open flow(running with nothing hooked up) Then as you begin to increase the vac. the CFM's drop. You will need a releaser sized for the amount of taps you have and a vacuum regulator unless it already has one. And the last thing I would recommend is a moisture trap with shut off.
But make sure the vac. pump can give you the correct CFM's at 18-20"Hg. If your vac. pump is not big enough then nothing will perform like it is supose to.
Keith

[mountainvan]

Don't forget the vacuum gauge, asssorted pipe and fittings, and a bigger tank for all the extra sap you'll get!!!

[royalmaple]

You might be able to get a picture of the set up if you look at one of my videos. Then ask some questions.

Are you only going to be tapping the 30 taps or more with it?

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

i have a chore boy pump, can i put vacumm to my tank and just have my sap flow into it without a releasler??

[Parker]

you can only put vacuum to a vacuum tank,,I was told it only takes 5" of mercury to colapse a regular tank,,

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

yes i hooked the pump up to my poly tank and it collapsed at about 7", then i hooked to a plastic barrel and it folded at 9". so i need to find a vacuum tank
RICH

[Breezy Lane Sugarworks]

or a releaser.

[Fred Henderson]

or a piece of 12 or 14 inch PVC pipe

[dhbiker1]

so are there any write ups or instructions you know of for making one from pvc. I mean the specifics like building some sort of float (guessing) or what not so it automatically releases.