Pressure regulating valve on feed line?

[donka]

First off, huge thanks to this community. I'm in the process of getting a new sugarhouse up and running and I have researched and read 100's of posts over the past 4 months to make sure I don't miss anything. Did a test fire on our new cdl traditional 2x6 and realized we have WAY too much head pressure coming in from the head tank. It is 6' above evaporator and already plumbed with 1.25 copper. I have to choke down ball valve on feed to almost closed and it is still pushing past float unless it's perfectly set. I'm afraid it's going to be too finicky to run like that and afraid of it clogging choked down that much. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ryan

[Sunnyacres]

Use a smaller ball valve so you can keep it open more. Other than that just keep babysitting it until you get it right. Even then keep an o s&$t bucket just in case.

[amasonry]

I have same problem. get a bigger float or put less in your head tank.

[maple flats]

Can you lower the head tank? My head tank sets at 18" from the float level to the bottom of the tank, and my tank is about 3' high when full. My feed line is 1" and the ball valve is open fully when boiling. my float has no problem controlling the flow.
First off, check the gasket that is on the float valve, is it in perfect condition and clean? Look for other ideas to increase the flow control. Also caqll CDL for their ideas or even your dealer.

[maple flats]

If you do go with a smaller valve I strongly advise you set it up as 2 parallel lines, splitting, then reduce one to a smaller valve and then join the original 1.25" line before the float valve. That way if you need more sap in a hurry you can open the 1.25" supply valve. This does not replace the Oh Sh^t bucket of sap or water just in case.