Diaphragm Pump Sizing and Limits

[NhShaun]

Thanks for the explanation. This kind of goes against the advice of not putting too many lines on one pump though no? It seems if you need to recirculate sap out of the tank to keep the pump pulling a vacuum, then wouldn't additional lines/taps serve the same purpose? I'm sure there's something I'm missing....

The recirculation line guarantees there is sap going to the pump which helps keep consistent vacuum, it also prevents surging. Well, that's assuming there is some sap in your tank for it to pull from. Having extra lines will bring more sap when it's running well but not so well after a hard freeze and slow warm up during the day. Having extra line also increases your chances for leaks and the demand for more CFM from an already low CFM pump style.

[West Sumner Sugar]

Ive found when you have leaks you will hear your pump gurgling. Even on low flow the pump should have a nice steady hum. Spent the better part of a day last year tracking down a tap that must have it a hollow spot in a tree and was sucking air. Once I eliminated that drop line, back to good vac and no gurgling.

[SeanD]

Was about to pull the trigger on a 4048 when I came across this Shurflo 5059. Seems like more bang for the buck than the 4048, but seeing your results with larger pumps has me wondering, Dave. Giving this a bump to see if anyone else has tried a larger Shurflo.

I thought I'd update this topic with my results. The 4048 was on back order, so took a flier on a 5059 and I can officially say, it's the shizzle. When I tested the box before putting it out, it was pulling more than 25" on a 5/16" test line with no need for any pinching with pliers like I usually do with a 4008. It just fits into my existing box, so the dimensions they had posted for it were way off. The biggest improvement is that it overcomes small leaks and makes them much easier to find. I had taps pushed out all over the place after the freeze up we just had and it was still pulling 15". With the smaller pump, finding leaks was too much guesswork. I love the 5059!

[BAP]

I thought I'd update this topic with my results. The 4048 was on back order, so took a flier on a 5059 and I can officially say, it's the shizzle. When I tested the box before putting it out, it was pulling more than 25" on a 5/16" test line with no need for any pinching with pliers like I usually do with a 4008. It just fits into my existing box, so the dimensions they had posted for it were way off. The biggest improvement is that it overcomes small leaks and makes them much easier to find. I had taps pushed out all over the place after the freeze up we just had and it was still pulling 15". With the smaller pump, finding leaks was too much guesswork. I love the 5059!

That’s great. Keep us updated on how it performs over the season.

[bmbmkr]

[QUOTE=Biz;399385]I tried a Delavan 5gpm pump in place of my Shurflo 4008 early last season,

I've used devlan and everflows in the past. I think the main difference in them is the shurflo's 5 diaphragm design(some of the older shurflo's had 4) compared to the three diaphragm design, the frequency of the check valves closing is much higher with 5 than it is with 3 or 4 and in my experience they pull more vac faster. I ran a 4008 on a 3/4" main this year with 350 taps, was able to keep 10" while simultaneously pumping 20' uphill to my pumpline. The other day when I was pulling taps, I found the end tap on a new lateral I put up, 1200' 3/16 with 25 taps, I guess I didn't have any end line tee's so I'd tied the tubing around the tree. I'd venture to guess i'd got a lot higher vacuum with that lateral sealed off. I have a couple of manifold set ups that I get 25-27" on 50 or so taps on 3/16 laterals with the 4008's.

I'm curious about the 1059 now, 2x the $$ but less than 2X the flow. The things we have to ponder in the off season.( We're done for the year down here in southernmost OH)