Ultrasonic Leak Detectors

[Teuchtar]

Does anybody have experience using the CDL Leak Detection tool, or the VOScope unit to detect leaks in mainlines ?
They both use ultrasonic technology. The VOscope model can be had for about $116 on Amazon. They talk a lot about detecting vacuum leaks around car engines, but no reference is cited for maple mainline use.
Seems to me that any tool that will help find more leaks and faster than my old deaf ears is maybe worth the selling price of 3 gallons.

[upsmapleman]

I have been using a vacuum leak detector for years. The one I have is made by Inficon. Mine will not pick up a leak at a distance as CDL advertises. It works great for the very little leaks that you would miss. They will give you false readings when walking in dry leaves or the wind blows across it just right but you just make another pass to double check. Works great right around the pump where noise would make it impossible to hear a leak. Hope this helps. Would love to see a demo on the CDL one. If it worked as described I would buy one. My question I have would it really detect a leak at the distance they advertise.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

had a demo at Verona on the CDL unit. Very impressive, all other noise was blocked out but the air leaking around the vac gauge they had set up. Think CDL was around 400

[wiam]

Usmapleman is your infocon the wisper?

http://products.inficon.com/en-us/nav-products/Product/Detail/f4a7a0dc-0bad-42da-855a-51df6f95bc5b?path=Products%2Fpg_ServiceToolsforHVA C_R%2F

[upsmapleman]

Yes. Not sure where I got it or how much I paid. Got it about 10 years ago. Think I may have gotten it on Ebay.

[wiam]

Thanks Usmapleman. I just paid $150 shipped with accessory kit on eBay

[Maplewalnut]

So I assume you guys use this walking up and down mainlines? How close do you have to be for it to detect leaks? Seems it may have a huge benfits at saddles

[upsmapleman]

The one I use does not detect from a great distance. Usually a couple of feet. I find what lines are leaking by watching the sap movement in the line. If it shows a leak I walk it and hold the detector near the line and it sounds when you pass a leak. I find it works good on main lines. As I walk from saddle to saddle I just hold it near line and if there is a leak it sounds off. I have a huge bear problem and they often times bite the line and you may not see it or hear it (to much shooting and heavy equipment operation without hearing protection) but if it beeps you check closer. Will give false readings if you walk in dry leaves but you just stop and pass it over the spot a second time. Works great around you pump where noise would make it impossible to hear. CDL claims theirs works at over 25'. That I would have to see first hand before I paid that much.

[maple flats]

Thanks Usmapleman. I just paid $150 shipped with accessory kit on eBay
Wiam, did you get it yet? Is it what you thought it would be? What is the info to get the same?
Thanks,
Dave

[wiam]

It was on eBay. Only one that seller had. I used it to find a slow leak in a tire. I guess I will know more in a couple months.

[Homestead Maple]

There are a few of them listed on Ebay listed under Inficon, such as this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251423679611?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l4455&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI251423679611.N7.S1.M698.R1.TR6

[Greenwich Maple Man]

So how do you use the CDL unit? Have not looked very much into these but sounds somewhat useful?

[maple flats]

I'll be learning how to use the CDL unit as soon as the pumps are started. The long term forecast shows 5-6 days of temps in the 40's, starting 2/17. I bought one of the CDL ultrasonic leak detector units from our sponsor. Looks like I should have a much tighter system this year. I'll let you guys know as soon as I have some time on the leak detector. I'm thinking that having a neat toy (er piece of hi tech equipment) to find l will spend more time checking for and fixing leaks. That's how I justified the purchase.

[wishlist]

I used leak detectors for years finding vacuum leaks on chlorination equipment. They work but require quiet surroundings and patience, emphasis on patience!

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I used leak detectors for years finding vacuum leaks on chlorination equipment. They work but require quiet surroundings and patience, emphasis on patience!I used the one at verona it wasn't quite at all in the gym and all you could hear as the leak. I was impressed with it

[maple flats]

I also tried one at Verona. With the crowd noise around I heard the leak extremely well, but taking the head phones off, and knowing where the loud (in the headphones) sounding leak was I held my better ear close but could no hear the leak. I then slept on the idea for 2 weeks before I ordered the CDL unit.

[ryebrye]

For those who have the CDL unit, any ideas if it is a repackaged Amprobe unit? It looks the same as an Amprobe ULD-300 just in a different color.

[unc23win]

Is there a difference in price?

[Moser's Maple]

Is there a difference in price?
Jared making his christmas list:mrgreen:

[unc23win]

Maybe Jake I saw the one on Amazon was about $150 cheaper than the CDL one. I don't know anything about them. I would guess the CDL one might have some sap line specific instructions, but then again instructions aren't something the maple industry is know for doing well.

Worth the money Maple Flats?

I was thinking end of the 16 season I might get one.

[maple flats]

While it found leaks I would not have found otherwise, I think it was over priced, as is much that we buy from the maple companies. If someone finds a leak detector in the $150 range, it will likely be more worth the price.
On the CDL unit, I quickly discovered it will not work when you are walking on crusted snow. I had to stop, but then I could find leaks up to about 15' away.

[unc23win]

Thanks Maple Flats for sharing your findings. I think finding leaks that you wouldn't have found otherwise is the key to having one. As I get more and more taps and the same amount of time to look for leaks I think something like that might be worth it. It seems for me at least that the hardest to find leaks are harder because the conditions don't make for quiet searching like crunchy snow. The prices of most special tools in the maple industry are remind me of the acronym for BOAT Break Out Another Thousand. That said an extra inch of vacuum on say 600 taps would pay for one now if I could find a black Friday sale ha ha.

I didn't see on the Maple Guys page?

[Bruce Stuart]

please tell me where I can find one of these ultrasonic leak detectors

[maple flats]

The CDL unit is carried by CDL dealers. While I need it to hear small leaks, my BIL can hear them without almost as well. His hearing is still quite good. But leaks around the pump will only be found with a leak detector, unless it is a huge leak maybe.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

You might want to do an online search for them. They are used extensively in manufacturing, mills, etc. and I'm sure you can find it cheaper than from a maple supplier (you know- like anything!)