Decent run today, almost a gallon/tap. I hunted leaks around noon (a couple of squirrel-bitten tubes bubbling away and had to re-seat almost every tap because I was a wimp with the hammer the first round). I'm itching to boil but will probably just hold it as ice through the cold week ahead - not sure yet.

Quote Originally Posted by MapleCamp View Post
How long do you run the pump for?
I run after a thaw and as long as it is above freezing (or earlier, if I go to bed before it freezes). Since I have a 12V pump, the battery wouldn't last long enough and I'd have to haul it out to recharge it. So I ran an extension cord down to the tanks, hooked up a 2/6AMP battery charger and constantly charge the battery at 2AMPs when running the pump (which is about the draw of the pump). I put all three pieces (battery, pump, charger) into a plastic bin with two holes drilled on the sides for my tubing. This lets me run it in the rain and leave this equipment at the tanks overnight.


Quote Originally Posted by MapleCamp View Post
Does it clear the line out at the end of the flow?
When you shut down for the night, disconnect your mainlines from the intake to the pump and put them into the tank. Then just let the pump run air through itself and blowout the end line section (you don't want ice inside your pump). A couple other things to think about... Pump should be able to "run dry" (most diaphragm pumps can), it should be certified "food safe", you should have a screen just before its intake connection to prevent ice and other stuff from puncturing the diaphragm. Otherwise, be sure you're lines are completely thawed before running and stop before freezing (I've let the pump run into the freeze a couple times and the screen stops the ice and the pump was dry). My pump is rated for "intermittent use" - I think this is an over-heating concern because they sell the same type with fins on the housing for "continuous use". Since it's cold out and the sap is cold, I don't worry about it and have been fine so far. I use a ShurFlo 4048 (sells for $140 from RVpartsOutlet) and have two 1/2" mainlines I bring together with a barbed "Y" when pumping. I don't like any fittings at the end of the mains when not pumping so that ice can run out easily.