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Thread: Need a Float valve idea please

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    toronto
    Posts
    283

    Default Need a Float valve idea please

    Have a 2 X 4 pan, and need to figure out an easier way of dripping sap from my elevated 55 gallon storage tank into the pan. Any suggestions that involve items laying around the garage?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Mansfield,PA
    Posts
    33

    Default

    Go to your local farm and garden store and check out there floats for livestock watering tanks. I have never tried one because i have an evaporator with a float box but always thought they might work if ya found the right one. let me know how ya make out if you try it.
    10x12 sugar shack (gonna have to add on)
    http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/jj139/yorkholomaple/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Campbellford, ON
    Posts
    36

    Default

    On my 2x4 pan, I had a preheater pan that dripped sap into the larger pan. I relocated the small pan , mounting it to the side of the 2x4, installed a float valve, connected it to a head tank. Works great !! No more pailing sap into preheater & constantly adjusting flow rate. Can post pics if anyone wants to see them.
    100 taps
    2' x 4' Patrick Phaneuf flat pan
    Oil tank arch

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Suamico, WI
    Posts
    1,175

    Default

    I have a float valve from grainger that is hooked upto an old float and sits right in the pan, has been working great for me. I can post some pictures when I get home tomorrow.
    custom made 2x7 intensofire
    With SL pans
    250 deer run
    300 3/16 (new 2016)
    500 sacks around the neighborhood

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio
    Posts
    195

    Default

    Dave
    2x6 Patrick Phaneuf flat-pan
    Homemade float valve
    100 taps last year, hoping for 125 this year

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Wendell MA
    Posts
    91

    Default

    I made one that worked good. Soldered a 1/2'x1"+ elbow to a pipe with the wide opening down, then rigged an arm with a rubber disc to come up against the opening, with the float I made on the outer end of the arm. The float could be any flat can.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Twin Cities, MN
    Posts
    61

    Default

    I rigged up a brass toilet valve and copper float ball to control a siphon feed from a barrel. I just got it operating yesterday and has run continuously for about 30 hours without issues. Knock on wood !
    Next I'm going to make a few loops of pipe that fit in an electric roaster and splice it into the feed line. Fill the roaster with water and I'll have an easily controlable preheater.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Live in NY, Sugarhouse in Milton VT
    Posts
    133

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jmayerl View Post
    I have a float valve from grainger that is hooked upto an old float and sits right in the pan, has been working great for me. I can post some pictures when I get home tomorrow.
    I'd love to see those pics.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Spring Green Wisconsin
    Posts
    32

    Default

    Yes, those livestock floats work great. Im using one for the first time this year. It fills at the perfect rate and and doesnt take my boil down except on a drawoff and thats hardly noticable.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Suamico, WI
    Posts
    1,175

    Default

    sorry totally forgot till now(been busy boiling for the past week. The float worked great until the float itself had a seam go bad. it was a quick fix and back to boiling.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    custom made 2x7 intensofire
    With SL pans
    250 deer run
    300 3/16 (new 2016)
    500 sacks around the neighborhood

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