Advice please

[Havingfun]

Can I get some recommendations on what you run for a refueling timer? I was thinking of something I could just hit one button and the time starts over.
Also, does anyone run an level alarm for sap depth in the pans, if so what one.

Thanks

[BAP]

This is the one I use. It is loud and when you shut it off it automatically resets to the same time again so you just hit start again.
https://www.amazon.com/Wrenwane-Digital-Kitchen-Operation-Magnetic/dp/B00GOPICNM/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ya_aw_oh_bia_dp

[Potters3]

I us a little digital timer the wife picked up at the kitchen store. You do have to set it each time but it is quick and easy. As the boil goes on the the wood pile changes I do change my rate of fire. Usually between 8 to 5 min. Level alarm is the wife, HAHA, she checks the flue pan every time I fire when she adds defoamer, and is always looking into the syrup pan.

[Haynes Forest Products]

I don't mean top condescend in any way. Have you thought to use a stack temp gauge so you don't open the door to find the fire box still has ample wood in it. Once you get in the habit of only firing when stack temps decline you feed the beast. Now if you only use wood that is the same size same type and same moisture content can you really go by time only.

The best level sensor is a site glass and you can get a fort installed in the side of the pan or install an after market one. They never fail and are quick to read. They don't have to be some big monstrosity. Look up boiler site glasses. Just use a bottom port with 5/8 glass tube.

[Potters3]

YOU ARE RIGHT, every year I say I got to get a better stack thermometer that I can see from the front of the arch, so I can fire on temp not time. But I also like the buzzer of the timer. When I am bringing in wood, checking tanks, checking R/O, cleaning and or swapping barrels (or talking to visitors) it is nice to have the alarm go off so I get back to firing.

As a great project in today's age easy to build stack tamp monitor with a low temp alarm to fire at. Thanks for the extra project this summer. I like to keep enough on the TO DO list so the wife has to keep me around.

[Havingfun]

I was going to install in the flue a bi-metal probe to monitor the stack temp. I run one on my home wood burner and swear by them.

Thanks

[Havingfun]

https://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Flue-Gas-Thermometer-Magnetic-KK0166/dp/B01GGDPR52/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1532450898&sr=8-6&keywords=flue+gas+thermometer+probe&dpID=410A3UBhSwL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

[Potters3]

I have one,and they do work great, but you cannot see from front of arch. Our arch is 12 foot long. Looking at adding some kind of digital with long cord so I can mount in a better spot to see.

[BoerBoel]

Whatflue temperature range is optimum?

[Potters3]

would depend on pans / arch set up, with mine I try to keep it between 850 and 1000 that is where it seems to really boil hard and get rid of sap. Below 850 and you can really see production go down. 1050 is as high as I have been able to get it. We have a 10' max flue pan so there is a lot of surface area to heat up.

[Russell Lampron]

My son in law does the firing and uses a timer on his cell phone. He fires every five minutes. I watch the sap levels in the pans and the draw off thermometer. We both keep an eye on the RO and I break down and repaper the filter press.

[Haynes Forest Products]

There are a few reasons to keep track of stack temps. one is for fuel savings and the other is for keeping the evap ripping. I would experiment and fire until the rig is ripping and then take note of the temp then I would figure out the max and minimums and take it from there.

[Super Sapper]

I wanted a stack temp so when I got an autodraw I purchased the Great Lakes Guardian from Smokylake. What I noticed is that once you fire the temp will go down a little more and then rise. After it peaks for a while is will start to go down and that is when I fired. The max temp gradually increased through the boiling session until the evaporator was fully warmed up so you still had to watch. Firing temp was anywhere between 650 and 1000 depending on wood and how long I had been boiling.

[BAP]

Another thread going off topic because people aren’t answering the OP’s question but instead spending a lot of time telling him and others that they are doing it wrong. Read the OP’s question and provide answers that are what the questions ask. If you feel you are smarter than everyone else then start your own thread on the subject.

[Chicopee Sap Shack]

the timer that BAP posted is the same that we switched to this year after using the kitchen egg timer. Best money one of the guys ever spent.

[maple flats]

I use this one: https://www.thermoworks.com/Extra-Big-Loud?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtb_bBRCFARIsAO5fVvE0Va7SZzAk2ZF 3a7fk7g4AU_06wQzodaHWxln_RpK68iDoqlUpLvEaApe3EALw_ wcB
Pricey but it works great. I used to use egg timers and other kitchen timers but they were never very good, if I stepped out to get more wood when the timer sounded I sometimes missed it. The one I link to has different volume settings, I keep it set to 1 under max, with that I can hear it from 50 +/- feet outside the sugarhouse, (over the sound of the high pressure blower). I have used this for about 5 seasons, love it. In use I set the time once and then start, when it sounds I push the stop button 2x and it starts again for the same length of time, then I add the wood and check the RO. This is also where I used to add defoamer, but that is now automatic as is the draw off.

[maple flats]

I just received an email, the timer I suggested is now 15% off http://campaign.thermoworks.com/2018_08_13_sitewide_launch_comm.html?utm_source=Nl-2018Aug13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=vib_link&utm_content=inbox&utm_campaign=Aug2018-Sitewide-Sale-cm