re-using taps on Lines
I have been reading a lot about yield reduction and tap/drop line replacement on 3/16 or any tubing for that matter for sanitation purposes. My question is, can you remove the tap and re-use them if you say were to boil them to kill bacteria. I know they are cheap so time wise its not worth it in a commercial application but if i can figure out a reasonable way to get the line off the tap could i clean them and recycle back into the rotation?
thanks
THOR 20x68" + for 2022 Homebuilt 4-40 single post RO
2022 180 buckets and 300 on 3/16 gravity 500L Syrup
2021 305 Buckets and 95 on 3/16 gravity 423L Syrup
2020 350 Buckets 375L Syrup
2019 250 Buckets 270L Syrup
It would be easier to soak them in a diluted bleach solution (cheap bleach without all the additives) for 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
The issue that this does NOT address however is plugging of 3/16" tubing at the tees and unions in the line. You need to run a bleach solution through the tubing lines, then rinse with clean water or replace all the tees and unions at least every couple of years.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
In 3/16 I change taps every year, every TEE and every 3/16 fitting in the line. That gives me the best sap flow. I also clean the tubing by pumping it to full and leave it there until mid fall, when I open it and rinse with potable water. For that I use calcium chloride, not sodium chloride, squirrels love the latter. I used to clean just after the season and repeat in mid fall, now I just fill the lines and drops, plug them shortly after the season and leave it full until mid fall.
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.
Trying to save the cost of the taps costs you far more than the tap cost in lost sap collection and thru syrup lost.
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.
When you leave the lines full all year, do you leave them full of the calcium chloride solution or plain water?Originally Posted by maple flats
Thanks!
2017 - 20ish taps on buckets, boiling outside in two baking pans
2018 - 70+ taps, 14-buckets, 50+ on tubing, homemade arch from oil tank in my barn, 17 gal syrup
2019 - same set up, 20 gal syrup
2020 - less taps, short season, but RO kit was fantastic! 6 gal syrup and a maple cat!
2021/22/23 - expanded into the neighbors yards! 50 taps on buckets and 40 taps on tubing
I'm using Zap-Bac taps 5/16 drops planing to replace every 3 yrs. Is this going to hurt my production. Have all 3/16 lines.
Calcium hypochlorite? I'll I typed the wrong chlorine product earlier
Last edited by maple flats; 02-19-2021 at 08:09 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.
Don’t want to hijack this thread. But to answer your question, we are starting our first year of zap bacs. I spoke with a member on here (mountainvan) who has been using them longer and at a higher volume than anyone I know. His cycle is year 1 new drops and tap (non zap bac), year 2 all new zap bacs, year 3 same zap bacs, replacing only damaged taps. He did do a third season first time around on some and said he noticed a significant drop off in their performance after 2 seasons on them. So we are also planning on them being a 2 season spout. We will probably start our cycle back over in year 4 with new drop. Van does another 2 years with a new zap bac before doing drops. He has over 5000 taps in New York.
305 taps on 2 Shurflo's, 31 taps on 3/16" and 229 taps on gravity. 565 in all
Mountain Maple S3 controller for 145 of the vacuum taps
2x6 Darveau Mystique Oil Fired Evaporator w/ Smoky Lake Simplicity Auto Draw
Wesfab 7” filter press
I had to replace all my lines this year because I stupidly left them full of calcium hypochlorate for a month and my chemist friend said the poly would absorb it.
2024 - New Maine resident, 12X12 sugar shack under construction
2019 - New 12X12 boiling pavilion
2018 - New Mason 2X3 Hobby XL and homemade RO
my thought was to replace taps every year and the entire drop every 3 years. I just wondered if it was possible to free-cycle the taps and T's and re-use them as new in the next rotation. I hate the idea of tossing all that plastic, even if it is going to recycling.
THOR 20x68" + for 2022 Homebuilt 4-40 single post RO
2022 180 buckets and 300 on 3/16 gravity 500L Syrup
2021 305 Buckets and 95 on 3/16 gravity 423L Syrup
2020 350 Buckets 375L Syrup
2019 250 Buckets 270L Syrup
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