Results from first season w/ 3/16 on Shurflo
In one word: Amazing
Let me give you info on my setup. 120 taps on 3/16 with an average of 25 taps per run. 6 laterals total around 1500ft long each. Every lines starts on top of the IL river bluff and works its way down to the bottom where the tank is (around 100ft elevation drop over that run). Every lines is brought into a 1/2 inch pvc manifold before the pump. I run a Shurflo 4048. On a good day pulling 17" vac (squirrels won't leave my lines be). Pump is powered by a 20 amp 12 volt power source with an auto temp switch turning the pump off at 30* and on at 33*.
It worked almost too good. On a good run we were getting over 200 gallons collected. The previous year we had 60 taps on 3/16 gravity and this year we had doubled taps and added vacuum so it basically tripled the amount of sap we collected from last year.
For those who are thinking of adding cheap vacuum in the future, this is a great way to do it. All in with pump, manifold, power source, temp switch, ect was less than $250. You could definitely do it for cheaper with a smaller shurflo pump and less automation but the temp switch is super nice since some days freezing doesn't hit till 2am and I slept good after I set up the temp switch. I will try to post some pics of the setup later.
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons