Bob I made this vacuum system. It was one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever engaged in. Thank you for the tutorial. It works much much better than I ever imagined imagined. Off of 1 sugar Bush I used to get 50 gallons per day on 1st day of vacuum I got 175 gallons. Next time you're in Boston look me up I will buy you dinner and a beer.

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds wicked awesome! 😀 I’m glad the project was a success. If I ever make it to Boston we’ll have to do lobster rolls and clam chowder!

Bob you’re a genius! I’m building a setup like this for next year, as well as your RO setup. Thanks for sharing it and putting together the instructables.

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck with the builds!

Wow! this is a game changer! I want one! Thanks for posting this, I am heading to your instructables next

Great video learned a lot. Curious question what happens when your vacuum pump or diaphragm pump runs out of sap?? if they run dry they’ll just burn out. Do you have something that shuts it off?

Awesome system Bob, I will be making one for this season, thanks for sharing your tutorial on Instructables !

@bobsookochoff5299

4 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. Good luck with the upcoming season. I’m getting excited as we’re only a couple of weeks away!

Wow - very cool system Bob.

That looks like a great setup.

Thank you for your post was some great info for what I was looking for

This system is next level.

Thanks Bob. Quick question So how long can you leave raw sap before boiling??

I want to hear more about this home made RO next!

Do you happen to have a shopping list/ links for Amazon?

Do u have a parts list for your pump

Nice job

Hi Bob, very nice setup. I have a sugarbush that's off the grid and seeing what you're doing has given me reason for optimism. I have a couple of questions. Would you have a parts list for the vacuum set up? Also, can you tell me what kind of tracked ATV you're running, and whether or not. you are happy with it? I'd like to connect with you if at all possible, easier to transfer knowledge in conversation. I'm in Northeast Minnesota, near Lake Superior. In any case, thank you so much for sharing.

@bobsookochoff5299

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, I've published an Instructable that has a parts list www.instructables.com/id/Off-Grid-Solar-Powered-Maple-Sap-Vacuum-System/ Ive got a John Deere 825i with Camoplast tracks. Works very well. Drop me an email at bob.sookochoff@gmail.com and I can give you my cell number if you want to chat.

I built and I'm using your system right now. Really works great. It pulled in 300 gallons from 147 taps in the last 24 hours. Question, what's your procedure for pulling taps at end of season and cleaning lines? Thanks Bob.

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

Hey that’s great! I have a video on season end cleaning cleaning and prep for winter. Check it out; it shows my procedure.

@1shubing

3 жыл бұрын

@@bobsookochoff5299 thanks, I'll check it out.

Bob, that is a nice setup. Where are you roughly? I see the FF stock tank. I'm up in NW WI and have about 26 acres of mixed hardwood. I'll be doing a 3/16" gravity system next year. good job. Curtis

@bobsookochoff5299

5 жыл бұрын

csbeaumo Hello there fellow Cheesehead and Fleet Farm lover! I’m in Eagle River, WI. My system has worked better than expected this season. It hasn’t missed a beat and has pulled in over 2800 gallons of sap thus far. 3/16 gravity systems are great if you have the elevation. I have friend with a 200 tap gravity system that out produces mine. Good luck.

Hey Bob I was wondering where you are located.

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

Eagle River, WI

@aidenguralski6583

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobsookochoff5299 I’m very interested in making a setup like this do you think it is possible I can get your phone number I am located near Wausau Wisconsin. I would like to talk to you more about this setup

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

@@aidenguralski6583 Sure. Send me your email address and I’ll email you my cell number. Bob

What would I have to do differently if I had access to electricity? Seems like it would drastically reduce the number of components. Would I just need the plumbing fittings, an electric pump and the temperature controller?

this is incredible! do you think this would work with with 3/4" mainline vs. 3/16 or 5/16? ALSO how do the solar panels perform on cloudy days?

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t think the small Shurflo pumps have the capacity to create vacuum in 3/4 in pipeline. The solar panels produce less energy on cloudy days. It was so cloudy this year I had to add another panel to the array to keep things charged.

Hello Bob, I built your design pump system this year with the Shurflo 4008 pump and was wondering what is max feet per line your running.

@1shubing

3 жыл бұрын

Not sure what Bob has, but I built this system and it works great. I'm running 145 taps on six lines (about 25 taps per line). My lines are about 600 feet each.

Wow really nice set up ! Is it possible to know what temperature module you use ? Model or link to buy one . Thanks in advance!!

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

Michael, There is a pdf file on www.instructables.com/Off-Grid-Solar-Powered-Maple-Sap-Vacuum-System/. With components, suppliers and prices. The temp controller is mentioned there.

Hi Bob, I'm building the same setup right now. What's the use for the 3-way valve? I can't see any reason I would want to bypass the pump...

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

The only time I use the bypass valve is if we run into a heat wave during the season where temps aren’t dropping below freezing at night. In that circumstance the temp controller won’t turn off the pump and it will run continuously without sap. So I turn off the master switch and open the bypass. When temps drop again I turn the master switch back on and turn the three way valve back to the pump.

@benjaminwalker6247

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobsookochoff5299 The bypass valve is a good idea, but sap will run through these pumps when they are off. I've pulled sap for 36 hours straight with mine when it didn't freeze, the vacuum keeps the flow going. Sugar content drops, but that's where the RO comes in!

I put together this system per your plans. Ill be using it for the first time this year. Is there problems with the pump or other components freezing at night? Thanks for the info

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck. Let me know how it works for you.

@1shubing

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you have any issues with the pump or other components when it freezes at night. Or do you have to make sure the pump is drained to keep from freezing.

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

@@1shubing no problems with the pump freezing. The Shurflo pumps are diaphragm pumps that can handle freezing and thawing. If you set your temp controller to turn off at 30 degrees the pump empties the intake manifold, filter housing and pump before shutting down. The temp controller is set so the pump will turn on again when the temp rises to 33F

You could probably get away with one solar panel. I've found the shureflo pumps only draw about 25 watts when running vacuum.

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

Under ideal circumstances you are correct. I have a system using the larger Surflo 4048 pump which generally draws between 3-4 amps or 36-48 watts. If the pump runs all night in situations where it isn't freezing or the solar panels are covered in snow reducing their effectiveness I've seen the battery charge down as low as 20%, which made me nervous. After adding the additional panel I haven't had any situations in which the battery fell below 50% capacity.

Hello Bob! I notice you have the pump on top of the collection tank. I've got a 275g poly food grade tote I'd like to use but it is quite tall, placing it directly on the ground would put the pump around 4-5' in the air. Can this system be placed ground level and be able to pump the output up to the top of the poly tote?

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Logan Yes the pump box could be placed on the ground and pump would have no problem pumping the sap up into the tote. The only potential problem I would see would be the whole thing freezing in cold weather. It would take quite a bit to thaw out the 1/2 inch line. I have switched to 330 gallon totes myself. I put the pump box on top of the tote and put a short stepladder besides the tote/pump box for access.

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

You could open the bypass at night to drain the pump and hose if it is close to home. My setup is about a 1/2 mile away so I like the self draining feature with the pump box on top. I don’t have to do anything. The temp controller turns off the pump and gravity takes care of the rest

@Ganaedwards1990

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobsookochoff5299 Thanks for the response, I'm thinking about running a 1/2" mainline direct to the pump to save money instead of running so much smaller tubing all the way back. Assuming this will work, I'll have to try it out next season.

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

The little pump may not have enough capacity for 1/2 tubing. Too much air. My recommendation is to stay with 3/16 in.

Bob my pump has started to vacuum intermittently. That is it runs constantly but the vacuum stops every 30 seconds or so. During the 30 seconds pump is running but loses vaccum. any suggestions as to how I can fix?

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

I suspect you have a vacuum leak in one or more of your lines. I would examine the lines coming in. Generally you will see the odd bubble coming through. If you see a lot of air then kink off the line with a zip tie and see if that resolves your vacuum problem. Once you identify the line, then open the line back up and walk the line. You will see air in the line up to the point of the leak, beyond the air leak the line will be full of sap. Could be a squirrel chew or a tree leaking air. Fix the leak and you should be back in business.

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

The other thing to check is that your screen filter in front of the pump is clean and the cover screwed on securely.

For anyone interested in building this system I have posted instructions on Instructables.com. www.instructables.com/id/Off-Grid-Solar-Powered-Maple-Sap-Vacuum-System

Where did you get you 6 way valve from

@bobsookochoff5299

2 жыл бұрын

From Roth sugarbush in Cadott, WI. rothsugarbush.com

Can you just bury your lines to get them out of the way?

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

You need to have your lines above ground to be able to check them for leaks. Also, year to year some trees may have to come out of the collection because they die or become diseased. Way easier to reroute a line that is above ground. The only buried lines I’ve ever heard of is some of the giant commercial producers will bury a big mainline to get it under a road.

@WildernessCall

3 жыл бұрын

@@bobsookochoff5299 what I was sort of thinking was to bury a regular water line then run those clear plastic lines to it from individual trees. I don't know if this would work but I'm curious as to your opinion?

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

@@WildernessCall I see what you're getting at. I've never seen it done, but it could be. It would make it very hard to troubleshoot breaks or leaks in the line though, I wouldn't recommend it.

Would you consider building another one and selling it?

Love your videos bob. Just getting into this with my kids and this video on the solar vacuum system was amazing. It’s so difficult to find good info on this subject . You’ve laid it all out perfectly. My maple bush is very sloped and all downhill. Would you recommend running across the land with the vacuum pump to keep it as level as possible? Or should I travel downhill with the 3/16 to the 4048 pump? Will that cause “too much vacuum?” Would love to get in touch to ask you a few quick questions. Thanks so much for the video!

@bobsookochoff5299

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tyler. If you have 50 ft of drop on your slope you don’t really need a vacuum pump, the 3/16 tubing alone will develop enough vacuum due to gravity alone. My brother in law has this setup and develops 20 mm of Hg vacuum without a pump. My trees are basically on flat ground, thus the need for the pump. Feel free to email me at bob.sookochoff@gmail.com if you have other questions.

@tylerjaneczko856

3 жыл бұрын

Okay I’ll save the pump for more flat ground! Thanks for the quick reply