3 options as I see it, have a diaphragm pump at the end of that most distant line and push the sap from there, ad on the other 2 have a diaphragm pump at the sugarhouse. Another option, get a real vacuum pump, even an old dairy pump like an Alamo rotary vane pump, get new vanes if needed and set up at the sugarhouse. it will need a releaser (also called an extractor) and set up a sap ladder on that long line to lift the sap in 1 or even 2 lifts. AQ lift of up to 10' works well, over that my experience says split it and have 2 or even 3 ladders if necessary. A third option, use 3/16 tubing only on that long lateral, while you won't get the advantage of gravity, you will be surprised how well the sap and gas bubbles move thru the line. you will lose some sap flow potential, but you also save $ because you then only need 1 saddle for up to 25 taps.
I've done this in 3 areas of my rather flat sugarbush. One has 3 lines 3/16 each having 25,25 and 26 taps each and the 3 climb up about 14' to pass over the driveway in to the sugarhouse, then it flows down at about 35 degrees to where it enters the mainline which is on 27" of vacuum, I have 2 others also in 3/16 doing similar but not as dramatic a lift, but both are being pulled (or maybe push ) by the pressure in the trees in combination with the mainline on 26-27" of vacuum (I lose an inch of vacuum out further on the mainline. Those were on a piston pump, next year I'm trying the same thing on an old Alamo vane pump. I'll be opening the oil flow and adding adjustable oil drippers to get maybe 24-25" vacuum. That option also requires a releaser and a moisture trap is highly advised, either purchased or I've made 2 over the years, ask if you want to try that idea. Just PM me, or look back thru my old posts, it's in there, maybe back as far as 2010-2013.
Diaphragm pumps do poorly if at all on a sap ladder, that's why the pump goes out near the last tap on that line, from there they push well up to the capacity of whichever pump you get. The specs on the pump will give the feet of head it will push (push up above the pump, before taking into account the line friction.
Last edited by maple flats; 03-21-2024 at 10:19 AM.
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.