Hi, I am finding this thread while researching a similar setup in our (small) sugar bush - any report back on how the all 3/16 approach worked out?
We have good slope that is currently tapped with 3 lines of 3/16 with 25 or so taps on each, it then reaches a bit of a "gulley" (as we would call it here, basically a flat depression) and there is moderate to mild slope down the rest of the way to the valley floor. I would say maybe 15-20 feet of drop over 200-250 feet of distance.
I had read before that 3/16 might not be ideal because of the decrease in slope and the build up of resistance due to friction but this seems to suggest the overall drop in height from the top would overcome that?
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2015: 8 bucket taps (7 red, 1 sugar) on DIY barrel evaporator
2016: 13 taps (bucket and tube) on block arch and hotel pans
2017: SAME
2018: 25 taps on 2x3 flat pan and resurrected barrel arch
2019: 25 taps...same setup plus DIY 3x150gpd RO filter
2020: 50 taps, all buckets..."new" oil tank arch setup
2021: 100 taps (50/50 buckets/3-16 tubing) on 2x4 divided pan
2022: 150 taps (50/100 b/t) on 2x4 pan with sap warmer pan
2023: SAME
2024: 150 taps, added single-post 4x40 RO system