Tapped in Essex County

[sams64]

I used to post in the Rowley thread I started a few years ago, but, figured that Essex County would be a good for more folks to post in.

After skipping last year I am anxious to get back at it this year. I have not tapped yet, but, the weather report for this week is telling me I had better get my butt in gear. Is anyone else tapped yet?

sam

[eustis22]

Tapping Wednesday in Haverhill

[eustis22]

So I measured my sap......2%...which is high for my trees. So that's good.

Found out the scratches in my Mason pan were caused by Mr Mason during the construction process, which makes ME feel better that I didn't cause them. On the other hand, why I didn't notice them right off bothers me as yet another indictment of my powers of observation. I have some 3000 grit sandpaper I may try on a small area to see if I can buff them out a little after the season.

So I switched my RO membranes from 4 150 GPD 14" to 2 400 GPD 40" (and upgraded the pump to handle the bigger throughput) and am finally able to do the rinse/wash/rinse cycle for new membranes. BUT....I don't know if I want to mix RO sap with the non-RO sap already in the pan with these new membranes......the temps indicate I can RO all night this week w/o damaging the membranes and I AM anticipating pulling 125+ gallons during this warm spell so I DO want to try the RO....maybe I will just do this upcoming batch of sap on the RO and see how it comes out.

[eustis22]

Tapped in Haverhill.....was gushing pretty good. Still is.

I recently acquire a couple of 40-in 400 gpd membranes in stainless steel housings so the next immediate task is re-plumbing my RO configuration to handle the much heavier housings.

[eustis22]

Well scratch Plan A....I could not get any permeate out of the line after hooking up to my sap tank so I will boil what % I have the old fashioned way and try tinkering with the apparatus during down times, of which I expect very little for the next week. My pump kept shutting down at 50 PSI as well.

[eustis22]

New stack

[eustis22]

So far I've boiled out about100 gallons, the pan is sweetened. I did an impromptu boil last night after pumping out my barrels before the big freeze because it is a PITA waiting for barrels/holding tank to thaw out. I had to shut down early because I was not prepared to draw but the syrup channel hit 217. I still have about 30 gallons to be boiled but the niter buildup is very heavy and I need to do a pan cleaning tomorrow before the next boil. Somehow, water got into my Sap tank over the summer and crudded up the tank so I swapped it with my permeate tank and am foregoing ROing until I can get it cleaned out.

[Buffalo Plaid]

Looks like you've got a nice gradient going in the pan.

[KiO]

Looking good! I'm into my second week and have boiled 15 gallons twice thus far. We only have 9 taps in Billerica.

[eustis22]

200 gallons in 2 days??? That's a LOT. Sounds like a great find for the pallet wood (assuming it's pine).

Sadly, I was trying to soap wash the RO yesterday and, as I was switching the lines to the soap bucket my pump isssued a large set of bubbles and has now stopped sucking fluid. Sent an email to aquatec and now off to the RO forum for possible diagnosis.