Extended 3/16" line

[Ptim]

I have 4 runs of 3/16" lines with 20-25 taps per line going into two barrels. I want to extend it 100' so I can run more lines into a tote. There is drop going another 100'. Should I just extend each line or could I tee into one 5/16" line to the tote?

[motowbrowne]

Just extend each line. You'll be certain to get the maximum vacuum that you can by doing so.

[n8hutch]

How much drop in that last 100 feet? If it's marginal I would go with 5/16 and keep it tight, 3/16 does not work well with marginal slope.

Its natural to assume that all that head or drop before it flattens out would keep that sap running but it doesn't. 3/16 without the proper slope is disappointing at best I've tried it.

[Cedar Eater]

You can do either, but for only 100' I would extend the 3/16 and capture the extra drop.

[Ptim]

It's probably another 5'-7' of drop

[BSD]

It's probably another 5'-7' of drop

IMO, go with 3/16. gain a few more inches of vacuum

[Atgreene]

I was poised to ask the same question. I've got to go under a road through a 4' box culvert, down a slope, through another 4' culvert then into a mainline under vacuum. Was debating if having it hooked into vac made 3/16 or 5/16 work better, probably 12' drop in 300'.

[GV2]

3/16 without the proper slope is disappointing at best I've tried it.

I second that. I tried a 25 foot drop in elevation from the last tree over 600 feet (i.e 4% slope) and I was very disappointed. Granted it is sloping down a north side and we only had on average 48 hour thaws this season so I am suspecting ice in the line may be the limiting factor. I have 23 trees zigzagged on about 1 to 2% slope feeding in. Looks like it will be above freezing all next week. If it still under performs I am going to try and work a mainline in next year. Just curious, what do you consider "proper slope" for a) the 3/16 tapped section (e.g. zigzag section) and b) the 3/16 elevation drop to gain pressure?

[motowbrowne]

I second that. I tried a 25 foot drop in elevation from the last tree over 600 feet (i.e 4% slope) and I was very disappointed. Granted it is sloping down a north side and we only had on average 48 hour thaws this season so I am suspecting ice in the line may be the limiting factor. I have 23 trees zigzagged on about 1 to 2% slope feeding in. Looks like it will be above freezing all next week. If it still under performs I am going to try and work a mainline in next year. Just curious, what do you consider "proper slope" for a) the 3/16 tapped section (e.g. zigzag section) and b) the 3/16 elevation drop to gain pressure?

Did you walk that line and check for leaks or blockages?

[GV2]

Did you walk that line and check for leaks or blockages?

Seeing how I only have this one line and buckets, I do walk the line just about every evening. I did repair a block early on but when there are bubbles to watch everything appears to be in order, though I did read today about bubble behavior on lower trees if a line is overloaded and it sounded familiar. I will check for that possibility too. I was just curious as to what 3/16 folks consider inadequate slope because others have said slope does not matter if you have the pressure/elevation drop.