fireant911
03-12-2023, 07:57 AM
Has anyone here used/experimented with using the "RAPT Pill Hydrometer & Thermometer" (https://www.kegland.com.au/rapt-pill-hydrometer-thermometer-wifi-bluetooth.html) while processing their tree's sap? I have looked at this previously during last year's season and pondered over the usability and applicability of such a device... Given that it measures the specific gravity (which is how the principle behind the floating hydrometers) it seems like it may be helpful because I, probably like many others, frequently test the brix level of the output of my reverse osmosis machine. Also, I usually check the brix content of raw sap buckets just to establish the various sugar levels during the season so I can note these values into my logbook. The unit mentioned above is catered towards beer makers BUT given that it measures BOTH the specific gravity and temperature it could also be valuable to the folks that make maple syrup.
The alcoholometer-type of hydrometers generally measure a range of 0.98 to 1.12 specific gravity which represents a sugar content of 0% to slightly below 30% (https://lclane.net/text/sucrose.html & http://www.ititropicals.com/wp-content/uploads/Schmidt-Sugar-By-0.1-degBrix.pdf) - so this range would cover the output of our beloved RO's. In reading the RAPT Pill user manual, I see that the recommended range of use is a 1.040 to 1.060 specific gravity that roughly translates to 10.0 Brix to 14.8 Brix; however, instructions are included on how to calibrate the unit for a specific gravity of higher than 1.080 (~19.4 Brix)... the recommended range is a bit on the high side to be usable for output from our RO machines; however, given that instructions exist on calibrating to a higher brix range, one may postulate that the calibration could be performed on a lower brix range as well! I am just curious if others have tested this out since most of you here have WAY more experience at syruping than I do (2023 will be my third season... but I am eager to learn more!
I may try this myself but before I spend anything I would like to know if others have tried this?
The alcoholometer-type of hydrometers generally measure a range of 0.98 to 1.12 specific gravity which represents a sugar content of 0% to slightly below 30% (https://lclane.net/text/sucrose.html & http://www.ititropicals.com/wp-content/uploads/Schmidt-Sugar-By-0.1-degBrix.pdf) - so this range would cover the output of our beloved RO's. In reading the RAPT Pill user manual, I see that the recommended range of use is a 1.040 to 1.060 specific gravity that roughly translates to 10.0 Brix to 14.8 Brix; however, instructions are included on how to calibrate the unit for a specific gravity of higher than 1.080 (~19.4 Brix)... the recommended range is a bit on the high side to be usable for output from our RO machines; however, given that instructions exist on calibrating to a higher brix range, one may postulate that the calibration could be performed on a lower brix range as well! I am just curious if others have tested this out since most of you here have WAY more experience at syruping than I do (2023 will be my third season... but I am eager to learn more!
I may try this myself but before I spend anything I would like to know if others have tried this?