RO recommendation

[Asa Matras]

We're thinking of upgrading ROs next season. Looking at used springtech 600s or cdl 600s. Want to get to 8 or 10 percent in one pass. We're planning on 3000 taps in the near future. Does that size make sense for that tap count? If you add a membrane will it about double your gph? I know with the cdls you can add a membrane. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance:)

[BAP]

I would check out MES, Maple Expert Solutions in Heniker. They have a website.
https://www.mapleexperts.com

[Russell Lampron]

A CDL is a copycat of the Lapierre Turbo which is a very good if not the best set up out there. The Turbo 600 with the 5 hp high pressure pump will do 900 gph when you add a second membrane and the Turbo 600 with the 7.5 hp high pressure pump will do 1200 gph with a second membrane. My Lapierre 125 Turbo is a smaller version of the bigger ones. I have had mine since the 2005 season and haven't had any problems with it. I work it hard because it's too small for my operation and it takes the punishment.

[S.S.S]

We have lapierre new generation 2000 and when we had single membrane we took sap to 12-14% and then we added a membrane and take it to 20-23% all single pass. With sap starting out at 2%. I have neighbor with a cdl that’s setup same as our lapierre and he can only achieve 14% with 2 membranes.

[JoeJ]

If you are planning 3,000 taps in the near future, I suggest that you definitely need a 1200 gal RO. I have 3,210 taps and a 1200 gal Lapierre RO. On a couple of big runs this season with almost 6,000 gal of sap in one day, the 1200 ran for 10 hours to bring all that sap up to 15% in one pass. The RO will go to 22-23% but it slows down the output. Besides, I have a steam away the raises the 15% sap to 22% when the sap enters the flue pan float box.

Joe

[68bird]

I'll second the MES suggestion!

[Sunday Rock Maple]

RO's are like garages, nobody ever built one that was too big. A Leader HC2 would go well with your Inferno and their support after the sale is outstanding.

[Goggleeye]

Looking for suggestions here, too. Right now, we've got 500 taps, looking to expand to 1000 or so in the next several years. Any recommendations for size and manufacturer? Thanks

[Russell Lampron]

Looking for suggestions here, too. Right now, we've got 500 taps, looking to expand to 1000 or so in the next several years. Any recommendations for size and manufacturer? Thanks

Lapierre 600 Turbo. It'll be overkill right now but when you've got over 1000 it'll be perfect.

[mellondome]

You will find very few producers who have run multiple different manufacturer units. For most of us, it comes down to price in the end. Price we pay for the base ro, and for some, the price to expand in a couple years to multiple membranes. With most commercial units that are prevalent in the industry, none are bad units. If they were, they wouldn't still be selling new ones.

Just remember to compare like flows and outputs. Most 600+ machines are rated in the 60-75 deg range and 75% concentration in single pass ( there will be some that are only 50%)

4" membrane machines are all over the place with concentration % and associated flow rates.

[VT_K9]

We are expanding as well and looking at the CDL 600. Just so you know there are two CDL 600 models. One which is a 600 and one which is expandable. We are looking at the expandable. It is about $750 more than the expandable model. We are looking at 1000-1200 taps (up from 400), but who knows what the future will truly bring over the life of the RO. $750 now is much easier than saying should have spent $750 back when....now I am paying much more to get a new unit.

Regardless of brand check the specs.

Mike

[Amber Gold]

H2O Innovation. Reasonable price and exceptional customer support.

[Goggleeye]

If those 600 units will concentrate as much as what you all are saying, will my 2.5X8 evap be too much?

[mellondome]

Should be fine with 1000 taps. With 500 taps, you will no longer have a reason to miss dinner.

[Russell Lampron]

The 2.5 x 8 will be a good match for the 600. It will be a little big at first which is a good thing when you are learning how to boil concentrate. As the taps add up and you get comfortable with it you can and will increase the concentration percentage.

For what it's worth, I only had 315 gallons of sap the other night and still concentrated it to 14% like I always do. It took 45 minutes of boiling from light up to last fire and I made 6.5 gallons of syrup. It was fast and fun but I only had time to drink one boiling soda.

[nymapleguy607]

I don't want to pull this thread of topic, but has anyone ran a mempro RO? Saw an ad in the last maple news that they have built an 8" machine rated at 350gph built similar to the hobby units.

[Goggleeye]

The 2.5 x 8 will be a good match for the 600. It will be a little big at first which is a good thing when you are learning how to boil concentrate. As the taps add up and you get comfortable with it you can and will increase the concentration percentage.

For what it's worth, I only had 315 gallons of sap the other night and still concentrated it to 14% like I always do. It took 45 minutes of boiling from light up to last fire and I made 6.5 gallons of syrup. It was fast and fun but I only had time to drink one boiling soda.

Wife would be tickled pink with the thought of making syrup in that short of time. (She's the one who cooks it all down, many times 12-14 hours a day when we're running hard.) She wouldn't know what to do with all her spare time. And I guess I've just missed it at some point, but what, exactly, is "boiling soda?"

[Russell Lampron]

Wife would be tickled pink with the thought of making syrup in that short of time. (She's the one who cooks it all down, many times 12-14 hours a day when we're running hard.) She wouldn't know what to do with all her spare time. And I guess I've just missed it at some point, but what, exactly, is "boiling soda?"

A boiling soda is your favorite beer. It goes surprisingly well with hot maple syrup.

[Goggleeye]

A boiling soda is your favorite beer. It goes surprisingly well with hot maple syrup.
I figured that was the case. Sounds like an interesting combination.

[n8hutch]

[QUOTE=VT_K9;351603]We are expanding as well and looking at the CDL 600. Just so you know there are two CDL 600 models. One which is a 600 and one which is expandable. We are looking at the expandable. It is about $750 more than the expandable model. We are looking at 1000-1200 taps (up from 400), but who knows what the future will truly bring over the life of the RO. $750 now is much easier than saying should have spent $750 back when....now I am paying much more to get a new unit.

Regardless of brand check the

That's interesting, I was quoted a 2500.$ difference between a 3hp non expandable CDL and the 5hp expandable.

[heus]

I have a D&G 600 gph RO (same as the Springtech) with an H2o membrane and have 1000 taps on a 2x8. I dont think I have ever boiled more than three hours at a time. It has the 7hp pressure pump motor so it is expandable to a second membrane. It will most likely be for sale when our season is over.