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Thread: Vacuum gauge

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Franklin, PA
    Posts
    44

    Default Vacuum gauge

    Can I get some recommendations on what you all use and consider reliable for vacuum gauges? Last year I bought 3 from a reputable maple supply dealer and 1 from amazon. All four are off and not reading zero this season. Is there a brand that will give reliable and consistent results year after year?

    Thanks
    2019 290 taps on 3/16"
    2018 20 taps on milk jugs
    2017 10 taps on milk jugs

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Agawam, MA
    Posts
    238

    Default

    www.directmaterial.com that's were I get all my valves and gauges.
    www.themaplehut.com
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/36680916@N06/
    22x16 Hut
    290 Taps
    2x6 Leader Patriot Raised Flue
    WesFab Filter Press
    Reverse Osmosis
    WF Mason bottlers
    Cotton Candy Machine

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Beaver Falls,NY
    Posts
    249

    Default

    Mount your gauges well above the tap 3-4 feet, also we put them in a baggie and seal them with a zip tie or tape to keep them out of the moisture. Even then cheap gauges may not last.
    4x12 arch
    new custom flues
    New custom front pan
    600 buckets town trees
    1500 3/16 taps
    D&G filterpress
    16x32 3rdgen canner
    member NYMPA
    Director American Maple Museum
    Director NNYMP COOP
    Asst. Chief BFFD
    Retired(now working for free)
    2015 Mahindra 70hp

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Franklin, PA
    Posts
    44

    Default

    thanks for the tips...
    2019 290 taps on 3/16"
    2018 20 taps on milk jugs
    2017 10 taps on milk jugs

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,391

    Default

    Put a small loop in the line just before the gauge to help keep liquid from moving into the gauge and freezing, which can rupture the membrane and cause them to fail.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    I use the cheap gauges with good success. I do not have a loop but all gauges are 2-3' above the line it is reading. I might need to change 1 every year or 2 out of 10 in use. I will try the loop and the baggy method to see if I can get even better life.
    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
    May 2009
    Location
    Essex VT
    Posts
    402

    Default

    DSC09600.jpgDSC09597.jpg

    This is the can method that I use to protect my CHEAP vacuum gauges from Materials Direct. The can cover is a bit inconvenient when checking for leaks but finding a dead gauge way out in the woods in much worse. The can cover will last a lot longer than the plastic bags I tried at first.

    Joe
    2004- 470 taps on gravity and buckets
    2006- 590 taps on gravity and buckets 300 gph RO
    2009- 845 taps on vacuum no buckets, 600 gph RO
    2010- 925 taps on vacuum new 2 stage vacuum pump
    2014- 3045 taps on vacuum, new 1200 gph RO
    2015- 3104 taps on vacuum
    2017- 3213 taps on vacuum
    3' x 10' oil fired evaporator with steamaway

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Wellsboro Pa
    Posts
    305

    Default

    Just something to think about. If you want to meet the new lead free standards you might be shocked by price of a lead free vacuum guage.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Franklin, PA
    Posts
    44

    Default

    Well, I can say my gauges are 4-8” above the furthest tap in each line. No bags and no loops.
    3 great ideas that I will try this season.

    I couldn’t really decipher the bucket pictures and how you were incorporating that.

    And lastly... when I was much younger, I used to chew on pellet gun pellets while I was playing... still alive.. if requirements force me to go completely lead free, I’ll just stop selling. I don’t make enough to warrant all that expense. I use pex with plastic fittings and pvc, mostly, but there’s still plenty of brass.
    2019 290 taps on 3/16"
    2018 20 taps on milk jugs
    2017 10 taps on milk jugs

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