jrgagne99
03-16-2022, 09:26 AM
I have a problem with my Bernard Single Mechanical Releaser. For reference, I use small 3.5 cfm rotary vane vacuum pump on my 150 taps. I can usually get 26", but things must be tight. For example, if one tap pulls out, I'm down to 10".
The problem I have faced this year is that often, in the lead-up to an impending release, the plexiglass guillotine raises up only part-way. It doesn't go up quite far enough for the follower-wheel to engage it into the dump position spot. When there is a ton of sap coming in, this isn't a big deal because within 30 seconds, enough additional sap flows in to lift the float the rest of the way to initiate the dump. But during slow-to-moderate runs, it poses a problem because the small o-ring that the float-rod goes through tends to ride up with the rod when it begins to lift. Just enough to create a small leak. When this leak starts, vacuum level starts to drop, sap stops coming in and the releaser stalls out. During the stall, the vacuum can drop from my usual 26" down to 15"-range (over about a 10-minute period) before that last little bit of sap can flow comes in to finally trigger a release. The problem isn't help by the fact that my Reds NEED good vacuum to run well. 15 inches doesn't cut it.
Has anybody seen this behavior before and how did you solve it?
Thanks in advance!
The problem I have faced this year is that often, in the lead-up to an impending release, the plexiglass guillotine raises up only part-way. It doesn't go up quite far enough for the follower-wheel to engage it into the dump position spot. When there is a ton of sap coming in, this isn't a big deal because within 30 seconds, enough additional sap flows in to lift the float the rest of the way to initiate the dump. But during slow-to-moderate runs, it poses a problem because the small o-ring that the float-rod goes through tends to ride up with the rod when it begins to lift. Just enough to create a small leak. When this leak starts, vacuum level starts to drop, sap stops coming in and the releaser stalls out. During the stall, the vacuum can drop from my usual 26" down to 15"-range (over about a 10-minute period) before that last little bit of sap can flow comes in to finally trigger a release. The problem isn't help by the fact that my Reds NEED good vacuum to run well. 15 inches doesn't cut it.
Has anybody seen this behavior before and how did you solve it?
Thanks in advance!