Distance to releaser and CFM Questions

[CTsap]

I'm new to vacuum and looking into options. There are some nice O-series Becker Pumps, but they are pricey and at 7 CFM, I'm not sure I'll have enough vacuum for 300 taps. The other variable is the releaser will be staged 400 feet away and downhill, which I was told would not be a problem using 1 inch hose.

Curious to know other people's experience with placing releasers a distance away from pump and how determining appropriate CFM was determined. My limited research looking at vacuum loss curves tells me 7 CFM would be adequate, but I may be missing something and don't know how the distance variable plays into the equation (if at all). Alternatively, I'm looking at a GAST 2567 which has more like 21 cfm. Thank you in advance.

[maple flats]

The general rule is 1 cfm for 100 taps, 2cfm gives you some extra level of protection. Your biggest concern will be keeping the system tight, that means keeping it leak free. You will do best if you walk the lines every day to check for leaks. Learn what to look for, mostly in the loop in the lateral as it flows into the main line.
What size tubing did you run for your mainline and about how many feet long is it, or if more than one, what are the lengths? By the way, Cornell's retired maple specialist (Steve Childs) has an excellent "notebook", it helps you see the importance of tubing size. If the line is too long for the diameter, it makes no difference how many CFM the vacuum pump makes, the vacuum will not get to the taps at a high enough vacuum level. I excourage you to get a copy. If the price is too much for your pocketbook, give some details on this forum and we will help you. While I don't keep a copy of it at my home, if a question comes up, I can bring it home and look up the answer.
Just remember, the only dumb question is the one you had but never asked, be sure to get the notebook or ask lots of questions. If the latter, ask with details or we can't help you. The name of it is "NYS Maple Tubing and Vacuum System Notebook" I see it listed for $34.00, it will be money very well spent.
Dave

[maple flats]

If you used 1" line, that is good, if the length is in reason, you are fine. Is the 400' you mention the length or is the distance from the pump to the last tap a lot farther away?
I also see in a post by Dr Tim Perkins that has a link to download the notebook free. It's listed under the article "New York State Tubing and Vacuum System Notebook, 6th Edition in a SARE report. SARE is Sustainable Agriculture Research and education , it's in PDF format.

[maple flats]

To download the notebook, just Google "The New York State Tubing and Vacuum System Notebook, and a link to download it will come up. Then you can simply keep it on your computor or you can print it out, or just print certain pages.

[darkmachine]

I had some similar questions last season, my mechanical releaser is about 1000' from my pump, I have a 1" line run to it, no issues. I was advised that i could extend it much further to the end of my property. here is a link to the maple tubing notebook

https://blogs.cornell.edu/cornellmaple/files/2021/04/Tubing-Notebook-6th-edition-with-bookmarks.pdf

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

I'm new to vacuum and looking into options. There are some nice O-series Becker Pumps, but they are pricey and at 7 CFM, I'm not sure I'll have enough vacuum for 300 taps. The other variable is the releaser will be staged 400 feet away and downhill, which I was told would not be a problem using 1 inch hose.

Curious to know other people's experience with placing releasers a distance away from pump and how determining appropriate CFM was determined. My limited research looking at vacuum loss curves tells me 7 CFM would be adequate, but I may be missing something and don't know how the distance variable plays into the equation (if at all). Alternatively, I'm looking at a GAST 2567 which has more like 21 cfm. Thank you in advance.. 7 cfms is more than adequate for 300 taps with a releaser 400' from pump. Keeping leaks in check is key to getting proper vacuum to taps regardless of pump. 1" will work fine, but if it was my install, I'd use 1-1/4" pipe to releaser. That all being said, the 5.10xl will give you the vacuum you need, but for only a few bucks more you can jump to the 5.16xl which will give you 11.2 cfm. These are very efficient pumps which pull super deep vacuum. Hope this helps. Also, if you would like more info or have questions on any of the Becker pumps, Mat Wilkinson is the dealer for Becker in CT. You can contact him at 860-228-0030 or me at 607-316-7270.
Neil