What evaporator do you have. We used to have a Leader WSE 2x6 and there was a space between the front and rear pans. We filled that space with blanket. It would eventually fall through no matter how careful we were. It was not a big deal when we had 275-300 taps as separation was minimal. Once we started to expand and separate the pans more for cleaning we would have to adjust or replace the insulation strip more. We ran some insulation support rods through the insulation and it would last a little longer.
Mike
Tapping since 1985 (four generations back to early to mid 1900s). 200-250 taps on buckets and then tubing in the mid 90s. 2013- 275 taps w/sap puller 25 gal. 2014-295 taps w/sap puller 55 ga. (re-tapped to vacuum theory) 2015-330 taps full vac. 65 gal, 2016-400 taps 105 gal, 2017-400 taps 95 gal. 2018-additional 800' mainline and maybe 400 new taps for a total near 800 taps. 2x6 Leader WSE (last year on it) supported by a 250 gph RO.