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Thread: broken brix hydrometer for sap

  1. #1
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    Feb 2021
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    vermont
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    Default broken brix hydrometer for sap

    Hi,
    I realized my sap brix hydrometer is broken on the bottom. Not sure if this is good solution but I melted some wax and sealed it. Is this okay to do? I then took the brix of water and adjusted the readouts accordingly.

  2. #2
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    Mar 2009
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    Greenwood, Maine
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    Buy new. It's now the wrong weight.
    Brian
    Velvet Hollow Sugarworks
    Greenwood, Maine
    900 taps
    CDL 2X6, leader RO

  3. #3
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    as long as you calibrate it what's the difference. It's only sap readings. If I buy new I'll get a scope one. These sap brix seem to break too easily.

  4. #4
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    It's your sap. I'v had mine for 10 years use it slow and easy and you will have it for years.
    Brian
    Velvet Hollow Sugarworks
    Greenwood, Maine
    900 taps
    CDL 2X6, leader RO

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Default

    Your fix may work, but I doubt the wax will hold very long.
    Like they say, it's not the drop that gets hydrometers - it's the sudden stop!
    If you mishandle or drop a "scope" refractometer it'll probably break too.
    John Allin

    14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
    Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
    Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
    Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
    CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
    06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
    14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
    Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
    7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.

  6. #6
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    Hillsdale, NY United States
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    I would buy a refractometer at Amazon and you will be back in business in days. They do not break easily and are faster. Make sure you get one for the range you need.
    2010 buckets 12 taps
    Retired as Bovine veterinarian
    Doing maple for the grandson?
    Few more each year
    2015- SL 2x4 hybrid 100 taps
    2019- homemade RO- 150 taps
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    2021-210 taps understanding wife
    2022-12x12 sugarhouse-SL raised flue pans, 250 taps-enough!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
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    NEK vermont
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    I personally would never let broken glassware anywhere near my sap or syrup. I keep nothing made of glass in my boiling or sap collecting area except the hydrometer. That way I never have to worry about shards. I don’t want to be on the news!

    I would toss it if broken.
    Last edited by Vtmbz; 03-05-2021 at 06:52 AM.
    12x24 sugarhouse 2x4 drop flue
    2020. 211 taps on 3/16”gravity with flojet g80 air driven pumps
    2021. 250 taps 4 flojet g80
    2022 275 taps on 3/16 gravity to two g80 vacuum stations
    2023. 320 taps 5 g80 pumps
    2024. Refurbed homemade 2 post 4040 All stainless sap storage and handling

  8. #8
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    Oneida NY
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    I've been using the same one for over 15 seasons, it's how you handle it that shortens it's life. Never drop it in the test cup and between uses store it in the box or tube it can in.
    Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
    Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
    Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
    After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.

  9. #9
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    Feb 2021
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    vermont
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    I personally would never let broken glassware anywhere near my sap or syrup. I keep nothing made of glass in my boiling or sap collecting area except the hydrometer. That way I never have to worry about shards. I don’t want to be on the news!

    I would toss it if broken.


    Yuppers. Threw it out and bought the light refractometer. will be here today or tomorrow. Will just need to calibrate it with ro water-no problem.

  10. #10
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    vermont
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    I think it was cracked when I got it as I used it the first time by putting it in the metal thingy and let the ro drizzle into it to find out what the brix was. When i pulled it out there was water in it. No I wasn't rough with it as I knew it was glass. It was just way too thin.

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