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I have come to the realization that I would rather pay to have my drops assembled (spout, tee, drop), and I'm sure I've seen this offered somewhere, but can't seem to recall where that was. My...

While I understand the OP's concern and think that the responses from the company could have been worded differently, I feel as though the danger of this situation is greatly overstated! We all know...

While I appreciate the feedback, my questions still remain unanswered.

We don’t use defoamer (i.e. Chemicals) in our process so we are correct in our statement. We also aren’t claiming to be...

I have secured permission to tap on a friend's property this coming season and I'm looking to get some opinions on the best way to layout the system.

This property has been tapped for the past...

Since we are relatively local, you are welcome to take a trip out my way and I'll tell you all about backyard vacuum systems! The systems are pretty simple, but can be frustrating all in the same.
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So I have a quick question regarding the proper use of a ball valve that connects the rear pan to the front pan. In theory, the sap should be concentrated enough that closing the valve at the end of...

This is something that I know I'd run into and have to figure out later in the season, so having it explained completely should make things a bit less stressful in the moment!

I'm thinking that...

That is what I've done. I shoot to run new lines around Thanksgiving and will install the complete drops at that time. The tees should have some type of retainer to hold the spout tucked into the...

I'm looking forward to more information being posted! This new resource of quality information is immeasurably valuable!

Thank you everyone that shared your knowledge!

Once I checked out the Brewers Hardware prices I went for the 1.5" Tri-Clover fittings. Less than $140 shipped for 1.5" ferrules, elbows, clamps,...

I picked up a used Mason 2x3 that had been extended with a additional 2x4 rear pan during the off-season. The previous owner used a siphon system to move sap from one pan to the other, but I'd like...

Last year was my first on vacuum and I installed gauges at the top of each run (3/16 straight to the pump) to see the vacuum accurately. What I experienced was that initially the gauges would read...

Gotcha! My controls are 12vdc and I'm using inexpensive float switches from Amazon to shut the RO down when my concentrate containers get full. Here is a photo of the switch on the 3D printed...

What type of sensor/switch are you using to auto shutdown at sap runout? I’m wired for float switches, but haven’t set one up for the feed tank.

I'm still keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the forecast come to fruition, but it looks like we are going to need our snorkels in the next couple of days!

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Is everyone ready to go...

My first run was 250+ gallons of sap at 0.89% sugar so without the RO boiling that would have been a waste of time. Sugar has been going up with each "run", but we've yet to see anything of that...

Sugar Bear, I’m pretty sure that we all hope you are right! We tapped early to catch the week of warm temps, but since then have been really slow. With lots of new systems to test out, early was...

This tap is probably 4th from the top in the line. The run has 22 taps total.

If this is a micro leak, have any of you had success fixing the issue?

At the time of the video, there was not any sap in that drop line, but there has been during other runs. Yes, the tree is a red and when I tapped I didn't notice seeing any brown wood.

Thanks to everyone that replied! Since this is my first year on vacuum and tubing I just wanted some confirmation that what I was seeing was correct. I've witnessed (and heard) a true leak so I...

This one drop on my 3/16" line seems to be running very little compared to the rest of the taps on the line and the bubbles you can see in the video start at the tee. I'm getting ~19"ish of vacuum...

It appears as though the maple gods are not happy and we need a sacrifice...

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Thankfully I got all of the sap out of my tote and run through the RO as this freeze would surely lock...

It took all week, but I finally was able to fill my RO tank to the top tonight! Had a nice boil yesterday and finished up what is probably the cleanest-looking syrup we've ever made this afternoon!

My vacuum pump was on last night until about 9pm and has been off since then (thermostat controlled). I'm thinking that today will be a decent day, but up here at "elevation" we've been lacking the...

I just keep telling myself that the trees are still coming out of a week-long freeze so today's poor showing shouldn't be something to dwell on! Heck, my vacuum system turned on, sap was collected,...