Off-The-Shelf Reverse Osmosis System

[HannahL]

Carl,

I have been using your RO Bucket for several weeks now and put 430 gallons through it. I let mine run through the night and while I am at work if need be. I have been turning 2% into 5%-6% sap on a regular basis. This little unit has really improved the season in many ways, I was able to install more taps, boil less hours, gather split and burn less wood and most importantly stay in good standings with my wife because I am not out there EVERY single night boiling! The only thing I notice is the auto shut-off does not always shut off but I can live with that.

[carls47807]

Glad to hear! It can take up to 5 minutes for the system to shut down. Other people have said the same thing. If you go past 50/50 sometimes residual pressure will keep the switch close. I am doing some r and d on a switch that trips at a higher pressure. Thanks for the feedback and glad you like it!

The switch works best if you put it directly before the needle valve (between the last membrane and needle valve).

Carl

[Derekm]

I am just curios im going to run a smokey lake 2x8 this up coming season i dont have the money to buy a big expensive RO anybody have any tips on which way i should go i have 1000 taps need somthing to do atleast 3-400gpd

[mol1jb]

For 1000 taps and a 2x8 you would have to have a good sized RO to not drown in sap. I would recommend to buy as big RO as you can for your money. Deer Run Maple have good economical hobby RO's for the price.

Another option would be to only process as much sap as you can and sell the rest to save up for a proper sized RO next season.

[mol1jb]

Also keep an eye out for used RO's on this site and Bascoms.

[n8hutch]

R.O. size will effect your finished syrup too, a small R.O. is going to require many passes and is going to tend to make darker syrup. A 2x8 is going to do 60 gph maybe 70 if you really get it going good, are your 1000 taps on vac? If so I would plan on 1500 Gallons a day. So if you buy a hobby R.O. that doubles sugar content your still boiling 10-11 hrs of you have 700 gallons of 4%, or maybe 5-6 hrs at 8%.

To get an R.O. to get you to 8% is going to cost some dough no doubt but it will be worth every penny.

Personally with that many taps I would want something that would get me to 16 or even 20% on 2 passes. But I work full time and can only boil at night, if you can sugar full time then maybe you have time to boil that much more.

[spiceman]

Hey Derek!

I make and sell a small scale homemade RO system. It will do 120-150 gallons per hour (depends on temperature) and takes my 2.4% water to around 4.0% sugar concentration. It runs off of 115v motor and is super simple to operate. I charge $2200 and have sold quite a few in my area.

[therealtreehugger]

R.O. size will effect your finished syrup too, a small R.O. is going to require many passes and is going to tend to make darker syrup.

Really? I just got an RO bucket 15 kit. So when you run the concentrate line back into your sap tank, to go through the RO again and again, you will get darker syrup? Why?
Thanks!

[carls47807]

There are a lot of variables in regards to syrup darkness. I have been batch processing sap to over 10% with RO buckets and still make the same syrup as everyone else (light early season, darker towards the end). Get a boil on your concentrate as soon as possible and do everything you can to reduce invert sugars and you won’t notice a difference.


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[tpathoulas]

Looking for some RO help. I am starting to look at RO and am leaning towards the RO Bucket15. My shack is 3/4 mile from power so I need to use batteries to power my RO. I could use a generator but I have no desire to babysit my evaporator to the hum of a generator. Any ideas regarding if I am on the right path or should I consider something else. I have about 150 taps, about 60 0f those on 3/16 tubing. Last year I made about 21 gallons but would love to cut down my cooking time.
Thanks!