If you won't have electric, look into a gas powered RO or one that runs on 12V DC. Ray Gingerich makes small gas powered RO's, I don't know current prices nor if any other make gas powered. As far as the evaporator, it will last 20+ years if you take good care of it and don't burn it. Burning it happens when you don't keep enough boiling sap in it. Mild burning can be fixed, real bad burning might lead to a new pan. There are lots of ways to get in trouble boiling, I think the most common is falling asleep or doing other things away from the evaporator while boiling.
At 150 taps a 2x4 with a 50 gph RO will do ok, a 2x6 with a 100 gph will do much better. Look for used and look now, as the season nears the prices go up, especially for good used ones. Check on several to get a feel for what is available. If you want a lower cost evaporator in used, even look for a 3x8, a 2.5x10 or even a 3x10, the bigger ones are in less demand, but be aware that with a 3x8 or 2.5x10 you will need about 150+ gal just to fire it at the beginning of the season.
A good rule of thumb on how much sap you need for the first boil is 3x the hourly evaporation rate, that will get you to enough sugar in the pans to protect them from freezing solid down to 15-20F, colder than that you may want to drain the pans and pour it back in at your next boil.
Last edited by maple flats; 08-24-2020 at 07:25 PM.
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.