consolidating 3/16 into bigger line

[canaanmaple]

Currently have some hill sides with 3 - 3/16 runs each (average of 500' and 25 taps on each) The collection tank is up a steep road that's dicey when snow packed. I have the green light to move the tank to the bottom of the road which would be better. Can I run the 3/16 lines into a 5/16 'main line' to get the sap down the hill another 500' or so, or should I use a bigger diameter line? The grade is still pretty significant.
thanks!

[Super Sapper]

I would go with 1/2 or 3/4 for the run down. Combining the three 3/16 lines into a 5/16 would create a restriction.

[maple flats]

I would join them into 1 line, 3/4" or extend all 3 using 3/16 line on each. The 3/16 will work well and likely cost less, your choice. I'd price it out the decide by the cost.

[mol1jb]

Easiest would be to just extend the 3/16 runs, especially with significant drop. I do consolidate my 3/16 into 3/4 mainline but only because the slope at the end of my runs is too low for 3/16 to work well.

[Mead Maple]

Easiest would be to just extend the 3/16 runs, especially with significant drop. I do consolidate my 3/16 into 3/4 mainline but only because the slope at the end of my runs is too low for 3/16 to work well.

This is my game plan as I move forward with installing lines in my woods. Have incredible drop for 3/16" to work and then carry everything down to the sugarhouse via 3/4" or 1".

[bmbmkr]

I ran out of 3/16 last year, but I did have several rolls of 5/16 so I used a 3/16-5/16-3/16 tee and ran two 3/16's laterals into a 5/16 on 10 laterals. The five 5/16 extensions were only 100' or so to the 3/4 mainline. ( 25-35' elevation drop) I had 150-175 taps in this system, and while they consistently produced 1.75 gpt, I wasn't impressed with how much the sap slowed down at the transition. In my experience, it can be done, but in my opinion, even though 5/16 has more volume than 3/16, it's not optimal. Dr. Tim told me so in a similar post last year, but I am hard headed. I thought the sap would fill the bottom of the 5/16 like it does a 3/4 mainline but it doesn't, it fills the tubing with slugs of sap and bubbles just like 3/16 but with seemingly more resistance. This year I'm taking down the 5/16, taking down the 400' mainline and goin all the way to the tank with 3/16. laterals.

[canaanmaple]

I ran out of 3/16 last year, but I did have several rolls of 5/16 so I used a 3/16-5/16-3/16 tee and ran two 3/16's laterals into a 5/16 on 10 laterals. The five 5/16 extensions were only 100' or so to the 3/4 mainline. ( 25-35' elevation drop) I had 150-175 taps in this system, and while they consistently produced 1.75 gpt, I wasn't impressed with how much the sap slowed down at the transition. In my experience, it can be done, but in my opinion, even though 5/16 has more volume than 3/16, it's not optimal. Dr. Tim told me so in a similar post last year, but I am hard headed. I thought the sap would fill the bottom of the 5/16 like it does a 3/4 mainline but it doesn't, it fills the tubing with slugs of sap and bubbles just like 3/16 but with seemingly more resistance. This year I'm taking down the 5/16, taking down the 400' mainline and goin all the way to the tank with 3/16. laterals.

I was just going to ask if adding a 500' extension onto the 3/16" that is already about 700' would create any restrictions? I wouldn't be adding any more taps, but there will end up being about 600' straight shot between the last tap and the tank I want to relocate. (on really good slope still) I crunched the numbers and the price would be about the same for adding 3 - 3/16 extensions or going to 3/4". Working with the 3/16 will certainly be easier I can imagine.

[maple flats]

As long aqs it has good slope it will either give you the same performance or better as what you got before. You must realize that the "old" tubing must be clean. If it was not cleaned post season it will not perform as well as it did last season. Old 3/16 tubing gets "debris" from micro-organisms that were present, as that dries or grows nasty, it can plug the tubing and especially the fittings. If the tubing and drops were all new from top to bottom, as long as the fall in elevation is enough and the number of taps is not too many (25 is good) the longer run will not cut the flow. Gravity never breaks on this earth.

[Super Sapper]

With the price being the same, I would use 3/4 from there to the end. 3/16 does decrease in performance over time and has to be replaced, the 3/4 should be good for a longer time. This will save when you decide you need to replace the 3/16.

[DrTimPerkins]

As long as you have 3/16" tubing extending at least 35' below the last tap on the slope, it would probably end up about the same (3/4" mainline vs extending 3/16" lines). Either way, the 3/16" line will need to be sanitized in some fashion each year AND/OR all drops and connectors replaced each year or two to maintain high yields.