3/16th vacuum gauge installation pics
I am going to add aprox. 50 taps on 3/16 laterals this year and I have the vacuum gauges and fittings. I am wondering how to go about installing them on my top tap. I have searched the forum, but am having a hard time finding a pic or diagram. Any help would be appreciated.
10th year in….
100 sap sacks...Actually, I hope to never have to use them again!
1000' feet of 3/16th on gravity (not sure how many taps yet)
14x14 sugar shack
New 2x5 Hybrid Drop flue from Smoky Lake
5" filter press from Daryl
Sap Dog Chloe
I bought some gauges from bascom, $7.50/ea with a 1/4MPT on it, then i got a 3/16x1/4 FPT adapter for the end of the run. I will T it into a 316-316-316 drop tee. planning on using a 30" lead to keep it above the height of the last tap hole. I'm going to just string it to the tree with twine or wire.
https://www.bascommaple.com/item/vpga20/gauge/
https://www.bascommaple.com/item/dga...bing_fittings/
2016 - 36 Taps - File Cabinet Arch + Food Pans
2017 - 2.5'x10' drop flues - 3/16 Natural Vacuum - 122 Taps
2018 - 16x20 Sugar Shack - 3/16 Natural Vacuum - 235 Taps
3/16th vacuum gauge installation pics
Not great, but here's a picture of mine.
Couldn't fine a 3/16 barb fitting, but 1/4" worked. Just warmed up the tubing to get it on.
What's nice is you can just use a T to connect the line to the last tree, and use that T for your vacuum gauge.
first year 2012 50 taps late season made 2 1/2 gals.
2013 2x6 homemade arch 180 taps. 20 Gals.
2014 40 on 3/16 gravity 160 on buckets.
http://omasranch.wix.com/omasmaple
I do them like the picture above, but I have adapters in brass for both 5/16 lines and 3/16 lines. I bought them from http://danielsmaple.com/ They work good. I just T that line into the end of the lateral and tie the gauge to a tree or bush. I bought a bunch of gauges on Ebay about 2-3 years ago for $5.00 each. On a few laterals I also put a gauge in this way at the bottom just before it joins the main, and all my mains have them at the top end. This all helps find leaks faster.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
Thanks everyone....I guess I was definitely overthinking that one.
10th year in….
100 sap sacks...Actually, I hope to never have to use them again!
1000' feet of 3/16th on gravity (not sure how many taps yet)
14x14 sugar shack
New 2x5 Hybrid Drop flue from Smoky Lake
5" filter press from Daryl
Sap Dog Chloe
FYI, if you go with a plastic adapter, squeeze your tool gently. I went in on a slight angle and the barb end crumpled a bit. After a few colorful words, I was able to straighten it a bit and get it in with no leaks. Nevertheless, lesson learned.
Sean
Woodville Maples
www.woodvillemaples.com
www.facebook.com/woodvillemaples
Around 300 taps on tubing, 25+ on buckets if I put them out
Mix of natural and mechanical vac, S3 Controller from Mountain Maple
2x6 W.F. Mason with Phaneuf pans
Deer Run 250 RO
Ford F350
6+ hives of bees (if they make it through the winters)
Keeping the day job until I can start living the dream.
I made up a couple gauge drops today and noticed that. That barb was quite a bit weaker than sap fitting barbs and had a controlled bow in the barb as I was pressing it on.Originally Posted by SeanD
Also, when I took a gauge out of the box, it was already reading 7 inches. Dang, I knew 3/16ths was going to be good, but I didn't realize I'd have vacuum without even tapping a tree yet!!
Noel Good
1998 to 2009: 15 taps on buckets, scavenged fire pit and pans
2010: New 2x4 SS flat pan w/preheater
2015: New to me Lapierre 18x60 raised flue, new shack, new everything!! 59 taps 23.75 gallons
2016: 85 taps 19 gallons
2017: Purchased 2.5 acres and tubed half with 3/16. 145 taps total 49.25 gallons
2018: 200 taps (162 on 3/16ths 38 on buckets) New NextGen RO 63 gallons
2019: 210 taps 73.5 gallons
2023: 210 taps 89.75 gallons
www.wnybass.com
Last year I got gauges from F.W. Webb that were $3.56 each. Part #BSHPGV-30
Not sure what they are this year.
2014 Upgrades!: 24x40 sugarhouse & 30"x10' Lapierre welded pans, wood fired w/ forced draft, homemade hood & preheater
400 taps- half on gravity 5/16, half on gravity 3/16
Airablo R.O. machine - in the house basement!
Ford F-350 4x4 sap gatherer
An assortment of barrels, cage tanks & bulk tanks- with one operational for cooling/holding concentrate
And a few puzzled neighbors...
http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/t...uckethead1920/
I checked my gauge tonight after things froze up. It was reading zero, which I thought was odd because I thought I remember reading that it would hold the vacuum after freeze-up. It was constantly reading 23 inches during the flow.
Also, I noticed what appears to be ice going up the stem to the gauge, almost looking like it had made it clear to the fitting. I have it on a 24-30 inch length of tubing just like a drop. Is this normal, or a problem?
Noel Good
1998 to 2009: 15 taps on buckets, scavenged fire pit and pans
2010: New 2x4 SS flat pan w/preheater
2015: New to me Lapierre 18x60 raised flue, new shack, new everything!! 59 taps 23.75 gallons
2016: 85 taps 19 gallons
2017: Purchased 2.5 acres and tubed half with 3/16. 145 taps total 49.25 gallons
2018: 200 taps (162 on 3/16ths 38 on buckets) New NextGen RO 63 gallons
2019: 210 taps 73.5 gallons
2023: 210 taps 89.75 gallons
www.wnybass.com
It pulled the sap up to the gauge as things just started to freeze. You had vacuum in the line to the gauge, thus pulling slush up to the gauge. I see this most of the time but it does not seem to hurt the gauges.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
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