I know there are many ways to connect the releaser to the mainline, but what is the easiest and best way to do it so that the releaser can be removed easily every year?
I know there are many ways to connect the releaser to the mainline, but what is the easiest and best way to do it so that the releaser can be removed easily every year?
Chad
2014: 12 taps, 5 gal buckets
2015: 15 taps on bags
2016: 150 taps: 100 on bags, 50 on 3/16" natural vac, 2x8 AUF/AOF Homebuilt Arch, 2x8 SL Drop Flu & Auto Draw, SL Propane Canner/Bottler
2017: 225 taps: Built Lean to, Added SL hood, preheater, concentric exhaust, SL SS 7" SB Filter Press
2018: 180 taps: Added Shurflo to 50 - 3/16", Auto fill sensor to head tank
2019: No tapping
2020: 175 taps
2021: 300 taps, homemade RO and releaser
2022: 600+ taps
I would recommend either a Banjo fitting or Union. I am not sure what size pipe you have or what your release can handle.
Our first releaser was set up with 1" pipe and basic fittings adapting it to 1 1/2" PVC to enter the releaser. We had a 1" ball valve to shut of vacuum to the mainline to check for leaks. We had a lot of ice build up. We have since changed and use a 1" barb to 1" MPT into PVC. We have a valve in the 1 1/2" PVC to help reduce the effects of ice.
I would recommend a union as the barb fittings of the Banjo fitting can create a lot of turbulence and effect the transfer of vacuum to the mainline. The union will have an oring you need to keep track of, grease, and likely keep a spare around.
Mike
Tapping since 1985 (four generations back to early to mid 1900s). 200-250 taps on buckets and then tubing in the mid 90s. 2013- 275 taps w/sap puller 25 gal. 2014-295 taps w/sap puller 55 ga. (re-tapped to vacuum theory) 2015-330 taps full vac. 65 gal, 2016-400 taps 105 gal, 2017-400 taps 95 gal. 2018-additional 800' mainline and maybe 400 new taps for a total near 800 taps. 2x6 Leader WSE (last year on it) supported by a 250 gph RO.
i've had unions for the past 4-5 years at my releaser. this year i switched out to banjo fittings. i much prefer the banjo fitting over the union. i often found that if you got even the smallest bit of debris in the union, it would leak. and the **** o rings kept falling on the ground each time i took it apart or moved the releaser for cleaning.
Awfully thankful for an understanding wife!
“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
- Vincent “Vince” Lombardi
Good luck to all!