Information on 3/16"

[pyro]

Do you need all new 3/16" taps? Or can you convert 5/16" taps to 3/16" line?

How forgiving is the setup? Can you have a section that runs uphill for 5' in the middle of the line?

[Cedar Eater]

Also, I have roughly another 80 trees I could tap. I have about 10 feet elevation change over 300 feet. Any advice on appropriate setup for gravity?

Assuming that you tried 3/16" tubing, you would select a top tree for each run and terminate your runs at a minimum number of collection stations, preferably one, at the lowest point, picking up as many trees per run as you can, up to around 30, by zigzagging through the trees. At your top trees, tie on and tap high on the trunk. I stand on the tailgate of my truck or use a ladder. Then slope down to as low as you can go and still collect at the termination point. Every bit of vacuum is better than no vacuum. 10 ft. + 5 ft will produce enough vacuum to more than overcome the height of the top tree's tap. You might not get a sap tsunami, but you won't get any suction from a 5/16" lateral to a mainline.

[BSD]

Do you need all new 3/16" taps? Or can you convert 5/16" taps to 3/16" line?

How forgiving is the setup? Can you have a section that runs uphill for 5' in the middle of the line?

I have 3/16-5/16-3/16 T's to use standard drops and taps. You're not too far away from me if you want to come check out my setup Pyro

If you have enough fall on the other side of that 5' lift, it will work.

[Cedar Eater]

Do you need all new 3/16" taps? Or can you convert 5/16" taps to 3/16" line?

How forgiving is the setup? Can you have a section that runs uphill for 5' in the middle of the line?

You can use 5/16" taps and a 5/16" drop tube to a tee that has 3/16" for the flow through and 5/16" for the drop connection. The tees I've seen that do this are green. Yes you can have a rise. It adds friction which translates to a slight drop in vacuum, but otherwise the drop afterward cancels the rise.

[alldaysit]

Man am I pissed I spent all that time and money on a mainline, laterals, etc. I could have run three 500' lines of 3/16" to 90 trees in WAY less time I feel like.

I might just buy another 500' of 3/16" and 30 sets of 3/16 taps/ts and set it up.

Are you guys telling me I could put a shurflo on 3- 3/16" lines with 30 taps on each one them and that system would produce?

I guess starting on my home property I was going to learn the ins and outs of this process.


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[BSD]

Man am I pissed I spent all that time and money on a mainline, laterals, etc. I could have run three 500' lines of 3/16" to 90 trees in WAY less time I feel like.

I might just buy another 500' of 3/16" and 30 sets of 3/16 taps/ts and set it up.

Are you guys telling me I could put a shurflo on 3- 3/16" lines with 30 taps on each one them and that system would produce?

I guess starting on my home property I was going to learn the ins and outs of this process.


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you could use 3/16-5/16-3/16 T's to make use of your existing 5/16 drops and taps. that's what i do.

but yea, a shurflo 2088 or 4088 is what you want. i shoot for 25 taps per line. but it will work great with 30 on a pump

[Cedar Eater]

Are you guys telling me I could put a shurflo on 3- 3/16" lines with 30 taps on each one them and that system would produce?

I'm really not sure how many taps would be optimum for a Shurflo 4008. Or how many taps are optimum for a single 3/16" line, but since you already have 5/16" spouts and drop tubes, I suggest four lines to account for the loss of vacuum in the drop tubes when you tie them into these tees.

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[alldaysit]

I'm really not sure how many taps would be optimum for a Shurflo 4008. Or how many taps are optimum for a single 3/16" line, but since you already have 5/16" spouts and drop tubes, I suggest four lines to account for the loss of vacuum in the drop tubes when you tie them into these tees.

Attachment 15817

Oh I got you. That makes sense.


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[alldaysit]

I have another property of 20 acres I am currently not tapping. I would like to in the future. Slope is very minimal. If I want to install say 600-1200 taps in the future, with 3/16" would I want to use some sort of a mainline.

When it comes to vacuum, what are the differences between 5/16" and 3/16". It seems that the way I am understanding it is that you don't have the pressure drop on 3/16" like you do on 5/16". Is that true?


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[Johnny t]

This is my first year on 3/16 I put in four runs and am absolutely amazed how much more sap I'm getting. I'm dropping 30-40 feet on all of them. I have on 5/16 run with about the same amount of taps and it pales in comparison to the 3/16. I run 5/16 drops and get good vacuum if there is a leak it's amazing how far away you can here the "sucking" sound when checking lines. I don't have vacuum gauges (yet). 3/16 drops better? I don't know I am using what I have on hand for now...

John