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-Digi...a_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...70_&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.