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Thread: Opinions on (small) 3/16 to mainline setup.

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Saratoga, NY
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    Quote Originally Posted by VTnewguy View Post
    I would oversize it now with 3/4". Not a lot of 1/2" pipe out there so it might be difficult to find saddles and the 3/4" pipe will be comparable in price but allow for more taps.
    thanks, I am seeing that now - the only place I can seem to find 1/2" is at Roth's Sugar Bush and it's only 150 feet with 5/16 fittings exclusively. I just discovered I have two extra rolls of 3/16" so I may try to run them the entire way to the collection and pick up that extra 20' or so of natural vacuum. The slope should be plenty and worst case I will throw a Shur Flo pump on the end.
    --
    2015: 8 bucket taps (7 red, 1 sugar) on DIY barrel evaporator
    2016: 13 taps (bucket and tube) on bock arch and hotel pans
    2017: 25 taps...same setup
    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

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Enon Valley Pa
    Posts
    39

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    FYI I was told by my tubing and fitting supplier that many of the 3/16 manufactures are phasing out of producing 3/16 products

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Southern Ohio
    Posts
    1,302

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    Push come to shove you can get 1/2 waterline at any hardware stor and fittingst that will work. As long as it's potable water safe it's ok. The black may heat up a little in warm weather is a slight concern.

    I have not heard 3/16 is being phased out. That seems odd, is sales way off or is it a raw materials supply problem? If 3/16 goes away I may just shut my doors permanently, I already geared down. I just find it hard to believe it's lost that much use.
    125-150 taps
    Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
    Modified half pint arch
    Air over fire
    All 3/16 tubing
    Southern Ohio

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    afton, ny
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    56

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    3/16th is an over rated fad. there is no replacement for displacement
    2018 25 taps, two turkey fryers, 4 gallons
    2019 75 taps, Mason 2'x4, XL, 10'x12' shack
    2020 150 Taps Mason 2x4XL RO15 Bucket. no sugar%
    2021 250ish Taps Mason 2x4 XL RO 20 bucket , going to be busy, 40 gallons made
    2022 400ish taps 2x4 Smokey Lake Drop Flue single post 4x40 RO

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/vZj2hHkXpKSBJqJFA

    https://www.facebook.com/kelseybrook...FIVmIotuulHl4W

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Southern Ohio
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    Well, after doing a lot of searching through all the Maple suppliers I could think of and searching research at both Proctor and Cornell, I found nothing to say 3/16" tubing is going away or is a bad application. Does someone have a link to documentation on the subject....or are you just jerking our chains? I have used 3/16 since 2017 and I am very happy with it. I practice good sanitation and new spouts every year and most years new drops and tees. The cost is much cheaper and easy to work with. As long as I can get it I'm using it and will recommend it for applications with proper slope.
    125-150 taps
    Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
    Modified half pint arch
    Air over fire
    All 3/16 tubing
    Southern Ohio

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Saratoga, NY
    Posts
    394

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    I've not heard anything about "discontinuing" 3/16 either...I have heard some producers experience a drop off in production on their 3/16 after a few seasons and I recall reading it was due to a combination of gunk built up in fittings and lack of sanitation.

    I send 50 gallons of peroxide solution up my lines at the end of the season last year, allowed for contact time and then pulled taps - I am going to do the same thing to start this year and sanitize my SS taps before replacing.

    I'm not replacing drop-lines or any tee fittings at this time, they're all only a few years old but may in the future. We will see in the coming year but 3/16 is an excellent solution for my scenario in theory. Dr. Tim has written about this at length in other threads...
    --
    2015: 8 bucket taps (7 red, 1 sugar) on DIY barrel evaporator
    2016: 13 taps (bucket and tube) on bock arch and hotel pans
    2017: 25 taps...same setup
    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

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Lake County Ohio
    Posts
    1,576

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    Quote Originally Posted by tombaisley View Post
    3/16th is an over rated fad. there is no replacement for displacement
    That's just plain BS.
    John Allin

    14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
    Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
    Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
    Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
    CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
    06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
    14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
    Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
    7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.

  8. #18
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    Jan 2011
    Location
    Southern Ohio
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    I agree Johnallin, I was just trying to be diplomatic....BS and pot stirring. Mods take note

    If there's data out there I certainly want to see it and use whatever knowledge I can. But I don't need rumors and bias opinions

    so to keep on topic. I wouldn't let fear of 3/16 shortages stop me ftom setting up a system on it.
    125-150 taps
    Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
    Modified half pint arch
    Air over fire
    All 3/16 tubing
    Southern Ohio

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Enon Valley Pa
    Posts
    39

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    TAKE A BREATH!!!!!! I think you are over acting.
    I didn't say you are wrong JUST stating what I was told.

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Saratoga, NY
    Posts
    394

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    Ha, well that went a way I wasn't thinking...anyway, 3/16 seems just fine the way we're using it here.
    --
    2015: 8 bucket taps (7 red, 1 sugar) on DIY barrel evaporator
    2016: 13 taps (bucket and tube) on bock arch and hotel pans
    2017: 25 taps...same setup
    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

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