Sap hydrometer/ temperature correction?

[Cameron670]

Dad and I tried out our new sap hydrometer this afternoon. It says to use it at 38 degrees. Our sap was probably 33 or so degrees.(some ice) Sugar content read around 1% on some trees, 1.5% on others. Does a warmer sap temp give a higer reading? Which way does the curve go? Using same trees tested we made 7 quarts with around 68-70 gal. of sap. So why does my syrup/sap ratio say 2.5% but the hydrometer says different?

KJC

[maple flats]

assuming the syrup is at the correct density, and you finished off all the sap batch with no concentrate in the evaporator, your hydrometer is out of wack. It may have gotten dropped into the test cup too hard (or in transit even) and slid the paper inside. As sap gets colder it will actually give a false high reading, not low.

[Cameron670]

Ok, now I know which way the curve goes. Thank you very much,

KJC