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Thread: Sap going up drop line - why?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Harvard, MA
    Posts
    240

    Default Sap going up drop line - why?

    I tapped 60 of my 100 yesterday, on new 3/16 with new 5/16 drops (no mainline) and a few types of plastic 5/16 spouts, new. On a few of the taps, as soon as I connected the drop to lateral, sap started running up the drop line to the spout, even with the drop at a steep angle to the spout. Sap also was traveling thru the 3/16 tee so it didn’t appear to be clogged. But it looks like sap from that spout is not flowing to the lateral. What would cause sap going up the drop against gravity besides clogged tee?
    2022 is season 7
    2016: 20 taps on buckets, 4 gallons on a borrowed 2x3.
    2017: 32 taps on buckets, 8 gallons of syrup, on a "loaner" Lapierre 19x48.
    2018: 80 taps. First time tubing. New 10x12 sugar shack, Lapierre 2x5. Made 17 gallons
    2019: 100 taps. 22 gallons. Added a small RO 50 gph.
    2020: 145 taps, 30 gallons, sold half. Murphy cup is a great addition.
    2021: tapped Feb 23, 150 taps, 35 gallons.
    2022: 200 taps. I lost 50, added 100. Having fun but short season?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,544

    Default

    What was the temperature out? Did the lateral go all the way down to your collection tank? How many taps do you have on the line? How much elevation drop from the lowest tree that did that to the bottom? And how much from the highest tree that did that? Is this line new this year or did you use it last year? If old, did you clean it last year?
    Answer these and we may be able to help
    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hopkinton, MA
    Posts
    1,778

    Default

    Did you tap the high end of the line and work your way down the hill? If so, the sap filling the line from the taps above you can push everything in front of it out wherever it can. So it you had residual sap or water in the line, it will be forced out especially if the drop is hanging downward before you get to it.
    Woodville Maples
    www.woodvillemaples.com
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    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Harvard, MA
    Posts
    240

    Default

    I did start tapping at the top of this line of 20 taps. Other answered below. Thanks really appreciate it.

    What was the temperature out? 38, down from 45 earlier in the day.

    Did the lateral go all the way down to your collection tank? Yes.

    How many taps do you have on the line? 20

    How much elevation drop from the lowest tree that did that to the bottom? 5-7’ approx. It was about half way down the line which is about 150’ as the crow flies but with zigs zags probably 225.

    And how much from the highest tree that did that? Around 50’ distant, 5-7’ vertical.

    Is this line new this year or did you use it last year? new

    Answer these and we may be able to help
    2022 is season 7
    2016: 20 taps on buckets, 4 gallons on a borrowed 2x3.
    2017: 32 taps on buckets, 8 gallons of syrup, on a "loaner" Lapierre 19x48.
    2018: 80 taps. First time tubing. New 10x12 sugar shack, Lapierre 2x5. Made 17 gallons
    2019: 100 taps. 22 gallons. Added a small RO 50 gph.
    2020: 145 taps, 30 gallons, sold half. Murphy cup is a great addition.
    2021: tapped Feb 23, 150 taps, 35 gallons.
    2022: 200 taps. I lost 50, added 100. Having fun but short season?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    1

    Default

    I came here to ask the same question!
    We're in Toronto, Ontario and this is our first foray into a gravity system.
    Sap was running pretty well this afternoon for the most part but on some drops it almost seemed like they were airlocked or backing up, especially closer to the bottom of the line. They didn't seem to be feeding into the main line at all,but rather just sitting there full or with a few small bubbles inside.
    We vented a couple near the tap and they drained right away but I know that's not a viable solution.
    I'm *very* new to this whole process and looking for any help at all!
    Thanks guys!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,544

    Default

    tgormley, My guess is what SeanD said. Likely an air lock. It should not continue and with everything new there is no issue of contaminating the tap hole.
    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,544

    Default

    Leanna, if you answer the same questions I asked tgormley it would help. Also, what is the slope on your lateral line (the tree to tree line)? I will check back in tonight, I'm heading to my sugarhouse now, but lots of other members here should also be able to help you.
    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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