Releaser question - new to vac

[Littlesap]

Hey guys,

I have less than 200 taps on gravity but after last year I'd like to add vacuum to the equation. This is probably a silly question but if I add a releaser at the end of my main, will the sap only flow if the vac is on? Thinking what happens to the rig if I leave for work and forget to turn it on.

Secondly, any suggestions on the most economical releaser for my number of taps? No power at the collection site but have it about 200' away.

Thanks

[Littlesap]

I plan to get a vac pump and run that from my house, I planned to put the releaser over the top of my bulk tank down at the collection site (about 200') away from the house. When the sap runs down the main and into the releaser, will it still find its way into the bulk tank if the vacuum pump is not on?

[Thad Blaisdell]

If the vacuum is not turned on it will simply be a gravity system, no more no less. The only difference will be the number of taps on each lateral will be less.

[maplwrks]

Absolutely---As long a syou have slope for it to run!!

[markct]

i know last year you came by and looked at my zero vac tank setup, this year i am also adding another line of about 100 taps up by the barn that will be on a low budget releaser i made from a milker washer, about 200 bucks brand new, and about 22 dollars of check valves and pvc fittings. here is a link to a video on youtube of when i tested it on a pail of water and it worked as it should but this year will be the real test on sap! it is just the vac chamber and float valves etc cycling in the video but i have since added the check valves and plumbing to allow sap in from the line and to dump out to a tank



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR67Ey8dvkg

[Haynes Forest Products]

I have sap ladders on my system and when the pump stops because of lack of gas I still get alot of sap entering the releaser. So it will work even up hill:)

[red maples]

the smallest cheapest commercial releaser is the lapierre hobby 500 extractor/releaser. Its mechanical, and will cost about $560 with shipping. directly form lapierre or the maple guys. I wouldn't look for an older used model as there were many problems with them backing up and not working right. As of last year they remodeled them and they work great I got one and didn't have a problem all year!!!

And like everyone else said if the vacs not on then you will just have a gravity line.

just remember that your end line will have to be raised up another 2-1/2 feet or so to accomadate the releaser height.

and you want to try to have at least double the amount of sap storage space compared to taps in other words....200 taps = 400 gallons of storage

One thing I would never forget is turning on the vac:) the only time I turn it off is to change the oil. but if its a really good hard freeze I will shut it down once the line are frozen solid!!!!

[Littlesap]

Thanks everyone. Red, good point about raising up the end of my main to accommodate the releaser, I will have to figure something out there.

Mark, nice innovation job... I've been searching for a zero tank like you have but no luck so need to go the releaser route.

Haynes, I am still looking for that Gast dry vane pump you recommended. They're out there, just got side-tracked this summer.

[Haynes Forest Products]

littlesap I have a big one sitting on the bench but the repair parts (vanes and bearings) are about $350.00 so ill keep looking for another one. Dont shoot for the moon if it gets to crunch time just tighten up the woods and go small for now:)