Originally Posted by
30AcreWoods
Yes, CV = check valve. The data show that they outperform regular spouts. One reason is that they don't allow the trees to uptake sap from the drop lines which may have a lot of bacteria. Thus, they keep the tap open longer. I have no experience with the Zap Bacs, and thus can't comment. I would say that though they may perform better than a standard seasonal spout, I can't see how they'd be better than CV spouts that completely shut-out uptake. Cost is also an issue for most of us. I do replace my spouts every year, and I replace my drop lines and tees every 2-3 years.
The Zap Bacs work on the concept of silver mixed into the polymer of the tap. Silver is used in various objects to kill bacteria or keep bacteria from transporting itself.
I do not know this for scientific fact of from my own observations and operations, but I have been told that Oderless Socks have silver in them to kill the bacteria that grows on feet/socks and causes them to stink.
I surmise that the silver that was placed in teeth for many years and still is in various situations, also killed bacteria and in and of itself prevented further tooth decay around the margins of the filling. Whether that was by design or was inadvertent is not known according to the several dentists I have asked about it.
Like the concept the CV spout the Zap Bac tap is an ingenious design. Whether it is more effective on the task it was designed for is unclear to me.
If you think it's easy to make good money in maple syrup .... then your obviously good at stealing somebody's Maple Syrup.
Favorite Tree: Sugar Maple
Most Hated Animal: Sap Sucker
Most Loved Animal: Devon Rex Cat
Favorite Kingpin: Bruce Bascom
40 Sugar Maple Taps ... 23 in CT and 17 in NY .... 29 on gravity tubing and 11 on 5G buckets ... 2019 Totals 508 gallons of sap, 7 boils, 11.4 gallons of syrup.
1 Girlfriend that gives away all my syrup to her friends.