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Thread: Recirc to a Shurflo using PEX. Plumbing question.

  1. #1
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    Default Recirc to a Shurflo using PEX. Plumbing question.

    Is there a fitting or combination of fittings to connect a 5' length of 1/8" ID (1/4" OD) tubing to the 1/2" PEX going into a Shurflo pump?

    My 3/4" poly mainline connects to 1/2" PEX that runs to the pump, emptying out of the pump directly into a tank.
    My thought is to insert a tee in the PEX line ahead of the pump to add a recirculation line, drawing a very fine stream of sap through 1/8" tubing from the tank. I'm trying to see if the concept will work, potentially eliminating the use of a needle valve setup.

    Ideally, a 1/8" Female NPT x 1/2" PEX Crimp Adapter would be the winning ticket, but from what I can tell, that doesn't exist.

    Any ideas?

  2. #2
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    I'm not sure on 1/8" but a 3/16 saddle for 1/2" is available from DSD. Maybe McMaster Carr might have something in 1/8", or maybe a little heat on the 1/8" and it might go onto a DSD 1/2 x 3/16 straight saddle.
    Dave Klish, I recently bought 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.

  3. #3
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    I believe the smallest PEX is 3/8" (0.500" OD). Unlikely they'd make a fitting smaller than the smallest PEX pipe.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  4. #4
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    You will probably have to use 3 pieces to adapt from pex to the 1/8" barb. I have found that for the small barbs there isn't a good adaptor to 1/2", you have to go 1/2" to 1/4" or 1/8" then insert the barb fitting. See photo for an example of pex to 1/8" barb.
    pex-to-eigthinch.jpg
    Mountain Maple farm
    2022 NAMSC award winning dark amber syrup
    2023: 320 taps, 70% red maples. Mountain Maple S4 diaphragm pump controller with automated sap transfer and text messaging
    Website:
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  5. #5
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    Biz, that's a good example of what will work. Thanks!
    What is the white piece called that goes from 1/2" to 1/4" with two different thread patterns?

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stonegate View Post
    Biz, that's a good example of what will work. Thanks!
    What is the white piece called that goes from 1/2" to 1/4" with two different thread patterns?
    It is a bushing. The one in the picture is 1/2" to 1/8" PVC. Black piece is 1/8" npt to 1/8" barb.
    Mountain Maple farm
    2022 NAMSC award winning dark amber syrup
    2023: 320 taps, 70% red maples. Mountain Maple S4 diaphragm pump controller with automated sap transfer and text messaging
    Website:
    https://www.mountainmaplefarm.com
    https://www.facebook.com/MountainMapleFarm/

  7. #7
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    Cool. Thanks. I found the piece. On the plumbingsupply.com site, it's listed as a 1/2" MIPS x 1/8" FIPS Threaded Bushing. That should get me up and running as soon as I get it shipped. No LOWES, Home Depot, Ace Hardware or any other store carries that part.

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