Haro Sap Lifter Float

[GeneralStark]

I have a sap lifter this style: http://www.lsbilodeau.com/en/Catalog/Maple-Equipment/Sap-lifter.shtml

I realized the float in my lifter is leaking and was full of ice when I started it up yesterday. Needless to say it would not work as the float was too heavy. So I drilled a hole, thawed ice and drained it. Then plugged the hole with a ss screw. Then the lifter worked flawlessly.

This morning it is filled again so I need to fix this. My first thought is to drill a larger hole, then inflate a balloon inside the float....

Has anyone else had this issue?

[spud]

Replace it. Don't take a chance. Use the fixed one as a spare. I'm thinking of buying a sap lifter for next season. Does it eat up CFMs?

Spud

[lew]

Haven't had to fix ours yet, but I would like it to trip sooner. We bent the rod a little and that helped some. Would like a little more though. I had someone mention that they fixed their duck decoys with spray foam and they thought the focus floated higher with the foam in them than the ones without. Any ways, a possible fix might be to fill float with spray foam.

[lew]

Spud, I can't tell you for certain, but I don't think they eat a lot of cfms. Obviously during the lift some will be used but only during actual lift. Not continuously.

[GeneralStark]

Haven't had to fix ours yet, but I would like it to trip sooner. We bent the rod a little and that helped some. Would like a little more though. I had someone mention that they fixed their duck decoys with spray foam and they thought the focus floated higher with the foam in them than the ones without. Any ways, a possible fix might be to fill float with spray foam.

Unless you are sure the float is not leaking, it may be worth checking it as that would make it trip later. This was the symptom I was experiencing and when the float is empty it trips quite a bit sooner than it was with any sap in it.

I ended up using the balloon trick which got me through yesterday's run. I also considered the spray foam option as well...

In the end, as I suspected, it turns out the float is a plastic toilet float and I found one at the local hardware store for $2.50. I could have purchased a replacement float and flapper from Leader for $53, but my flapper works fine....

They do use some CFMs, as they use a small leak but it seems to be pretty minimal. Mine is right behind my sugarhouse though on a dedicated wet and dry line...