Vacuum Pump

[toothfairy050]

I have 400 taps on about 2100 feet of 3/4 mainline with a mix of 3/16 and 5/16 laterals
I have been using a 115 volt Shurflo but have trouble finding vacuum leaks.
Would a Guzzler work on this system and should I look for a single or double diaphragm pump?
Do Guzzler pumps come in different sizes?
What pump would you guys recommend?

Thanks

[Col_CCC]

We run a double guzzler. 25-26# vac all year. Excellent setup for us, all in 5/16. Have moved most of our mains to 1"

[VT_K9]

I would look for a double guzzler. We had a single on 400. It worked good, but with planned expansion and two areas of short ladders a true vacuum pump was in the future.

I believe true guzzlers are plumbed for 1 1/4" fittings. I would recommend a length of 1 1/4" pipe for a short distance from the unit. This helps manage iceing issues. Plus we were swapping our mainlines over to 1" as we replaced them when we had the guzzler. This gives more room for sap to flow should there be a sag with some ice.

Mike

[DrTimPerkins]

The key to using a Guzzler (diaphragm pump) is to keep things TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT. Because these types of pumps don't move a lot of CFM of air (they're made to move liquid), any moderate to large leak will result in a sizeable drop in vacuum -- which only makes finding leaks more challenging. You'll also see that when the trees warm up a bit, the gases they produce will drop the vacuum level more than with other styles of pumps. A double-diaphragm pump will help a good bit with that.

A good rule of thumb is to take what the equipment dealers tell you those pumps can handle in terms of number of taps and cut it in half, unless you're really good at leak-checking.

[toothfairy050]

Thanks for the info

[craigwade2005]

The key to using a Guzzler (diaphragm pump) is to keep things TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT. Because these types of pumps don't move a lot of CFM of air (they're made to move liquid), any moderate to large leak will result in a sizeable drop in vacuum -- which only makes finding leaks more challenging. You'll also see that when the trees warm up a bit, the gases they produce will drop the vacuum level more than with other styles of pumps. A double-diaphragm pump will help a good bit with that.

A good rule of thumb is to take what the equipment dealers tell you those pumps can handle in terms of number of taps and cut it in half, unless you're really good at leak-checking.

I really like that idea of vacuum pump sizing. Does that go for releasers and such as well or is it better to aim for the correct size ones to avoid long cycle times?