5/16 system on a 60gph diaphragm pump

[ADK_XJ]

Here’s a thought…I have another section of woods that would be ideal for a 5/16 setup with maybe 100 taps, kind of a ravine with maples on either slope.

If I ran a 1/2” or 3/4” mainline would a 60gpd pump give me the vacuum to effectively run such a setup? I could maintain a decent slope the entire length of the mainline to the bottom of our property.

I ask because happen to have an extra pump.

[littleTapper]

If you don't have a lot of lift and/or distance to push after the pump, I don't see why that wouldn't work. You'd want to keep on top of any potential leaks though. I'd guess if it was really running hard you may get around 15gph of sap with 100 taps. That would keep up. Having slope also helps eliminate a need for a recirculation line too, so you won't have to worry about that reducing your effective capacity.

Give it a shot!

[ADK_XJ]

If you don't have a lot of lift and/or distance to push after the pump, I don't see why that wouldn't work. You'd want to keep on top of any potential leaks though. I'd guess if it was really running hard you may get around 15gph of sap with 100 taps. That would keep up. Having slope also helps eliminate a need for a recirculation line too, so you won't have to worry about that reducing your effective capacity.

Give it a shot!

Cool, yeah — I figure the pump is more to facilitate the flow of gravity in that case. I've been running 3/16 lines for going on 4 seasons, and that's worked well; there are just other areas of our property I'd love to develop that aren't quite as conducive to natural gravity.

[BAP]

Here’s a thought…I have another section of woods that would be ideal for a 5/16 setup with maybe 100 taps, kind of a ravine with maples on either slope.

If I ran a 1/2” or 3/4” mainline would a 60gpd pump give me the vacuum to effectively run such a setup? I could maintain a decent slope the entire length of the mainline to the bottom of our property.

I ask because happen to have an extra pump.

Is it 60 GPD or 60 GPH? If it’s only per day then that pump could actually slow down sap flow. Per hour would be fine.

[ADK_XJ]

Is it 60 GPD or 60 GPH? If it’s only per day then that pump could actually slow down sap flow. Per hour would be fine.

It is per hour, yep. Quite a large pump.