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I would think the vacuum should run the full time the filtering is happening. If it has a little leak in the weld, report it to CDL, if they don't offer a better idea, seal it for now with silicone caulk. Then after the season, arrange to get the weld repaired.
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1 Attachment(s)
3rd batch today and there was some improvement. I put it through 3 pre-filters off the evaporator and finished it inside. Then I used more DE and was able to get 4 quarts through but the 5th quart stayed on top of the clogged filter. I nested a pre-filter inside the ring so I could remove it but I pulled it out when it was submerged and some of the niter went back in.
The actual permeable surface area of this filter is about 5 1/2" diameter, so about 24 sq inches.
For comparison, assuming the 12" CDL vacuum filter has a similar grate, it would have about 57 sq inches.
A 12" x 12" Smoky Lake flat filter would have 144 sq inches.
Attachment 20693
Next time I'll use even more DE and 2 removable pre-filters.
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What are you using for a vacuum source? I assume that you are running it until all the syrup has run through?
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I am using the same Shop Vac he uses in the video. It's 1.5 gallons and 2.0 hp. I let it run while I see the syrup level going down but after it clogs I'll let it run a little bit and then turn it off. So it probably runs for 30-45 seconds at a time. The shop vac is sucking condensation from within the tank, so I don't want to let it run too long.
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You need to keep vacuum going the whole time to make it work well. If you have a wet/dry shop vac, moisture will not hurt it. I am not sure what video you are referring to. I run my shop vacuum until the syrup is all through using 3/4-1 cup filter aid per gallon.
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Thank you for the feedback. Here is the video. it's a demo of the 9" vacuum filter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91034cvALwo
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To quote "Tim The Tool Man" ...."MORE POWER ARRRRRR"
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When myprefilter clogged with syrup still inside the ring I just scraped the predicted off to one side with a pancake flipper. Might try just putting the syrup into a prefilter bag on top of the flat filter this year. Make it easy to remove.
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Still had trouble with my 4th batch. I'll figure it out eventually. I'm curious if I'm the only with the new 9" vacuum filter that is having trouble.
less than 2 quarts went through before it clogged. This was the process I tried:
-near syrup was filtered off the evaporator at 218* through 3 cone prefilters
-boiling water dumped into the filters to wet them and preheat the unit
-syrup was finished on the stovetop
-1/2 cup DE added to roughly 5 quarts of syrup
-hot water drained
-shop vac turned on
-210* syrup poured into the top of the unit with a removable prefilter
-30 seconds later the filter was clogged, so I carefully removed the top prefilter with lots of gunk
-a little more syrup passed through the filter
-used a spatula to gently push the gunk around
-a tiny bit more syrup passed through the filter
-turned shop vac off
-filled a glass bottle (can't fill with the shop vac on because the suction holds the syrup in)
I also have niter?? getting through. I used a brand new synthetic filter and 3+1 used prefilters. Next time I'll use a brand new set of filters. I read that the DE might be stuck in the used filters and that is what I see in the syrup, not niter.
Attachment 20781
It's really just the top prefilter that holds the niter. When I remove it, the filter underneath looks full of syrup, not niter.
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You may not be getting a good seal. I know that my home built unit does the same thing UNLESS I have a good seal then the syrup goes through really quick.