shurflo set ups

[mudr]

Should work just fine. I ran about 100 taps on 600' of 3/4 mainline with a sureflo last year. Under 2% slope. Pulled 20+ inches consistently. Doubled my production. Key is minimizing leaks and sags in mainline. These pumps don't have the CFM's to overcome any leaks.

I don't have any pics but my setup was very simple. A 3/4" cam lock on the end of mainline necked down to 1/2" into pump. I brought my pump in at night if going to be really cold. A couple alligator clips to attach to deep cycle battery. Just sat pump on top of battery.

What size batteries do you guys run and how long can you get them to operate for? Putting in a 100-115 tap 3/4 main system now. I will use my 300 gallon milk tank for a collecting tank. So, I will have storage capacity. Figure a small pump and a battery would be cheaper than another 100 tap line running in.

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[Clinkis]

I have a couple marine deep cycle batteries that I would rotate. Not sure of the exact size but you want a good quality deep cycle battery. I could get 24 hours per battery. I would put the other battery on charge when not in use. I tried a regular car battery but it would only go 8-10 hours and by the end of the season wouldn't hardly work at all because it couldnt handle the charging and discharging.

I think 2 gallons per tap storage is good. Last year I only had 1 gallon per tap and my tank ran over several times during heavy runs. This year Im getting rid of all my buckets and adding more main line. I will have all my 220 taps coming into one location. Unfortunately this will be too many taps for a shurflo so I am adding a vacuum pump and releaser. Shurflo's are good for about a 100 taps max.

[Earthman]

Hi all- Appreciate all of the info so far. Couple quick questions.....First, I plan to run an extension cord to operation my pump. Any ideas on which unit I should get (2088 or 4008???). Also, some of the research I have seen has stated the importance of having a separate mainline coming out of the storage tank to recirculate sap back into the mainline prior to re-entering the pump again (in an attempt to help initiate and promote vacuum). Can anyone chime in to provide more input on how this might be set up. Also, would it make sense to purchase a "back up" pump just in case......For the price of these, I might be able to swing it.

Thank you all,
Mike

[Clinkis]

I use the 2088 but I think either will work. The 2088 has a slightly higher GPM I believe. From reports I've heard, the AC versions of these pumps do not have nearly the life as the DC versions and will not handle the long continuous running. Get the DC version then get a 12v power supply to run it off your AC. Usually it's the diaphragm that goes in these pumps so it wouldn't hurt to have a rebuild kit on hand.

These pumps will pull more vacuum when they have liquid in them and some members did have success by adding a feedback loop from there storage tank. But I was more then happy with the performance without it and didn't want the hassle of the extra plumbing and controlling it. If sap is running you should have a trickle of sap coming in anyways if your system is setup properly.

[Biz]

For battery I use a NAPA #8270 deep cycle marine battery. It isn't the biggest battery out there, but I wouldn't want anything heavier when I move it around. I get over 30 hrs run time. I'm using a Shurflo 4008 battery powered pump.
Dave

[Earthman]

Biz and Clinkis- You guys rock! Thank you both.

Mike

[Earthman]

Hi all- Just another quick question....If I have my set up on 5/16 tubing using the Shurflo (about 40 taps total) and then want to connect a 3/16 tubing manifold to the system to catch another 25-30 taps using 3/16 tubing (I have a bunch of 3/16 tubing) would that be advisable?

Thanks as always for any and all input.

Mike

[jmayerl]

Vacuum is pulled at the pump, if you put some sort of manifold there it would be fine.

[Earthman]

Thank you for your response. I didn't know if it mattered having both 5/16 and 3/16 tubing setups on the entire system. Like I said, I have a bunch of 3/16 tubing and want to use it up.

Thanks again,

Mike

[Super Sapper]

I have both 3/16 and 5/16 on my systems and they work well.