Another Releaser Idea

[sweetwoodmaple]

http://www.aquascience.net/tanks.htm

Anyone ever tried letting the charge out of one of these accumulator tanks and hooking a vacuum pump up to the precharge port? You would still need a timer or something to tell the system to cycle and let sap out.

Would be tough to get to to cycle on demand (no way of knowing when the bladder is full).

Might be way off base here, I don't know...

Brian

[mapleman3]

I'm willing to bet at 18" vac it would implode, they are not designed for more than 50 ish psi normal working outward pressure, plus they are just steel which would rust fast.

[sweetwoodmaple]

Yeah, these tanks aren't designed for vacuum loads. A series of smaller ones might have a better chance of working.

What it the wall thickness on the mechanical releasers?

Vacuum is funny in that it puts more of a bending load on the metal vs. pure tension from hoop stress. I.E. I couldn't pull apart a piece of 1/8 x 1" bar stock, but I could bend it pretty easily.

Remember as far as rust that these have a plastic liner. Mine has been in a wet environment for 10+ years. But, you are right, the will not last forever.

Brian