PEX as Sap Tubing

[sugarnut]

i was wondering if anyone uses PEX as tubing? i may have some to use for a few short runs that i can't tie in to my main 1/2 inch line. any issues with it?

i am thinking of making a few short runs with barrels for collection here and there instead of one droopy main run until i can afford proper wire and such next year.

[Amber Gold]

PEX is not UV stable. Over time it will degrade. I’m not sure on the timeframe, but I think manufacturers recommend it remain out of sunlight at all times. I was considering using it for my solar hot water system, but couldn’t for two reasons, that being one of them and the other is the max. temperature isn’t high enough.

I think you’d be better off with black water pipe anyways. Black pipe is about $0.17 per foot whereas PEX is $0.50 per foot.

[Haynes Forest Products]

AG is right about the UV protection. Its cheap on Ebay but the problem is getting all the coil out of it.

[sugarnut]

PEX is not UV stable. Over time it will degrade. I’m not sure on the timeframe, but I think manufacturers recommend it remain out of sunlight at all times. I was considering using it for my solar hot water system, but couldn’t for two reasons, that being one of them and the other is the max. temperature isn’t high enough.

I think you’d be better off with black water pipe anyways. Black pipe is about $0.17 per foot whereas PEX is $0.50 per foot.

of topic a bit, but check out the PEX solar hot water project on www.builditsolar.com

gary (has the site) is an awesome guy and provides a wealth of info from many sources. who knows, maybe someone can create a thermosyphon solar panel system to use as a preheater for sap, lol.

[Acer]

Why not use 5/16" for your spider set up?
Next year you can use it for drops and laterals on your real setup.

Dean

[NH Maplemaker]

sugarnut,I don't know how well maple fittings would fit pex! Also any pex I've seen you need a special tool to use any type of fitting.That would cost more than black pipe unless you have one!! I think a lot of guys here have pondered the idea at lest once.

Jim L.

[sugarnut]

yeah, i'm thinking the ID is a bit small, but i am not sure. my nephew has a little PEX i was goign to use to cobble together a few taps on some trees on a fencerow...i'll just have to check it out and see what happens.

the budget just doesn't allow for a any more tubing purchases until next year. i'll have to use what i have on hand. i may eliminate some tubing close to home and use buckets there and move the tubing to places where i need it most.

ok...i think i am slowly catching on to some of the "nomenclature" of the maple business, but i still don't fully understand a few of the terms. "sap ladder" threw me for a loop for a while and so did "spider".

anyone want to make a real short dictionary for we rookies? lol

maybe a "sticky" thread for noobs describing some of the terminolgy would help out.

[802maple]

The biggest question I would have, is it food grade?

[sugarnut]

well, it was for potable water.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Its the same material as the domestic water line. Is sprinler line food grade? The pex tool that expands the tube and then slides the brass coller over the fitting is about $475.00

[tuckermtn]

we used PEX for our radiant heat floor- ours was not food grade, but lots of PEX is. As Haynes mentioned the tools to work with the PEX are even more expesive than a 2-handed tool...and the stuff is ridgid- more so than 30p. Might be okay if you had the tools and the material laying around- but there are cheaper alternatives...

[sapman]

I can imagine cobbing a small system and using pex, but as you realize, none of the maple industry fittings would be compatible.

We use the pex pincer tool and stainless rings, in which the one tool fits all pipe ring sizes. I think this tool costs less than $100. Sure makes plumbing a WHOLE lot easier and more enjoyable!

Tim