MES Dolly 300 Flow rates

[Hillcrest Maples]

Got a new to me dolly 300 this season. Installed new MES membranes, new 1hp pressure motor and pump from MES. Wondering what people are typically getting for flows? I’ve heard you have to break in membranes, but I’m taking 1.5 ssc to 3 at 1.5 gpm perm and concentrate at 190 psi. I’ve tried reaching out to MES a few times but I know it’s there busy time so I haven’t heard back. Clear sap, prob 40 degrees. New prefiters, heated wash tank, MES soap, 300 gallon washes,ect. I figured id have higher flow rates and sugar content

[nymapleguy607]

Something doesn't seem quite right. I have the same machine and I was running 2gpm on concentrate and getting 3gpm on permeate. Can you close the needle valve more to get higher pressure?

[Hillcrest Maples]

That’s what I was hoping for. If push it to 200 psi I’m down to 1 gpm concentrate and maybe 1.5 perm

[nymapleguy607]

Did you check orientation on the membranes and the U cups? Or the relief valve on the High pressure pump isn't set right. that's and easy adjustment

[Hillcrest Maples]

I put the membranes in new I set it so all the cups faced the incoming sap. I didn’t think of the relief valve until you mentioned it. After a little research I found these are set to 170 at the factory. Cranked it in and was getting 2gpm both sides at 225 psi. Was taking 53 degree sap from .75 to 2 after 10 mins. At the 225 psi now I see a little air/water coming out of the case seal on the guilds recirc pump. My trees are budding out so I guess will tear this thing down again and rebuild the pump. I am going to have over 6k in this thing by the time I’m done Next time I’m buying new.

[BAP]

Did you ever hear back from MES? They used to have good customer service but sounds like that isn’t the case anymore.

[Bucket Head]

Before the season started, I called MES with a question and I wanted to buy more of the hose I purchased previously from them. I called two or three times, left a message and I never heard from them. Needless to say, my purchases were made elsewhere.
I don't know what happened to them. They weren't like that back when I bought my new membranes and the other items I sourced from them.

Steve

[Hillcrest Maples]

Didn't hear back from MES. I won't hold it against them though. Clayton has pioneered that steam unit and I think they are going gangbusters with that. I can appreciate customer service, but also owning a small business nowadays the reality is there is not enough hours in the day or qualified employees to get back to every customer regardless of the size and scope of the question. I will probably stop in over the summer when things are less busy for them and try to get some clarification.