My version of a home RO build.

[norman]

I haven't been on this site since last year when I was inquiring about building a small ro for my 60 tap operation. I followed the guidance that I got here and it worked like a champ. I built it on a hand cart so I could move it around easily and that has worked out well. My results are about the same as others have talked about in this forum, so no real surprises. My sap usually runs from 2.5% to 3.5% out of my trees and the ro boosts it to 7% with one pass. Perfect for me.

I'm impressed with what I learned from this site and everyone that I talked to that answered my questions in the forum. For any small operator, this is a great way to help cut time and firewood.......and also give you all the clean water you need to clean up not only the ro system but everything else in the sugar bush.

I hope the pictures show the build ok. They look like they'll show up sideways for some reason. It wasn't the easiest process I've seen to get them attached to this post.

Best of luck to all of you sappers for the coming season!!

Jeff

[steelguy]

how many GPD will it do?

[Plutoman15]

Hiw much did it cost to build?

[norman]

I get approximately 5 gallons of concentrated sap per hour (with 3 ro membrane filters). This year I added one more membrane and have not tested it yet. I hope to speed up the process a bit but not yet sure what it will do.

[norman]

Cost for the original 3 membrane set up was about $375 or so. I added another membrane this winter now which bumped cost up by another $60 or so. Well worth the total cost for me and my operation.

[steelguy]

I get approximately 5 gallons of concentrated sap per hour (with 3 ro membrane filters). This year I added one more membrane and have not tested it yet. I hope to speed up the process a bit but not yet sure what it will do.
thanks.
I am thinking of building one myself and am trying to get as much info as possible.
looks like a nice simple set up

[norman]

thanks.
I am thinking of building one myself and am trying to get as much info as possible.
looks like a nice simple set up

I highly recommend building some type of ro unit. It really cuts down on boiling time and wood consumption. I generally ro for a whole day before I begin boiling and then the ro keeps up just fine. The real test for me was making sure the quality of my syrup did not suffer from less boiling time. I can absolutely say that my syrup tastes as good as ever and that is so important to me. I only concentrate to about 7%. If you increased that to 10-15% it may have an effect on flavor, taste, etc.

Best of luck on an ro build. You won't regret it.

[Pibster]

Just wondering if there's ever a problem with the RO freezing after you're done for the night or do you bring the unit into a warmer location? Maybe there's not enough liquid left in the unit to cause damage by freezing.

[norman]

Just wondering if there's ever a problem with the RO freezing after you're done for the night or do you bring the unit into a warmer location? Maybe there's not enough liquid left in the unit to cause damage by freezing.

I always take the ro out of the sugar bush when night time temps are less than 26-27 degrees. Usually even in those temps I cover the rig with a heavy blanket at night and that has worked well for me (when I do leave it in the sugar bush). Any colder than that and I take it to the house. I just don't want to risk freezing the membranes. And, I want to get it up and running immediately the next morning.