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Milton there's about a hundred threads on here for 12v diaphragm pumps, lots of photos. From solar with temp controllers to 110v and 12v marine batteries. It all depends on your budget and the layout of your woods and sugarhouse. I have used Everflo 3.3 gpm pumps for the last 3 years, this year I set up a 1/2" PVC manifold with threaded fittings, you can find 5/16 barb fittings with 1/2 threads on amazon. I had 5 laterals from 100 to 800' long feeding the manifold, once I got the squirrel chews fixed I was pulling 25" vacuum, on the best run this year I got 150 gallons of sap from those 60 trees. It's pretty simple plumbing and wiring. Half the fun is the research. Make sure you get a screen for keeping ice out of the fragile diaphragm.
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I suggest a spare diaphragm or 2 just in case, or even a spare pump. I only use a diaphragm pump on my hot water loop to feed my tankless water heater, and I have a spare diaphragm just in case.
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What tubing would you use for one of these diaphragm pumps?
The tubing I'm finding says that it is good for natural vacuum. Would this type work?
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Any maple tubing for the line from tree to tree, then run that downhill to a manifold and then to the pump inlet. You can make a manifold out of 3/4" or larger maple tubing or even a length of PVC pipe. To attach to the manifold just use a saddle made for maple (I like the DSD saddles, but) most any for the diameter pipe you have for the manifold will work. Run an extra saddle and run a re-circulation line to keep the diaphragm wet. That can even have a needle valve to reduce the amount re-circulated.
