This is probably a bit different than the normal homemade devices folks post about here. I'm a big fan of automation, and based on the feedback I’ve received from others I’ve begun creating some of the devices I use to reduce the time I spend making syrup.
The first device I created reads atmospheric pressure to calculate the current boiling point of water every two seconds. It displays the boiling point of water, of syrup, and the current pressure in inches of mercury. This is handy not only for making syrup, but also maple cream and candy.
The second device builds on the first but adds a temperature probe that can be immersed in sap or syrup. It reads the temperature of the probe every second and will flash an LED and sound an alarm when the syrup reaches 66.9% sugar.
The third device builds on the second and adds a relay (switch) that closes when the temperature is reached and opens when the temperature drops below the target. It works with both AC and DC loads.
The fourth device is for people that recirculate when processing with RO. The device has a flow meter that reads the discharge of the permeate line. When the permeate drops below the desired threshold (adjustable), it will automatically turn off the RO pump. This lets me run my RO overnight and wake up to sap that’s ready to boil.
The fifth device is a controller for a vacuum pump. It includes two temperature probes, one for inside the pump box and one for outside of it. You can connect both a heater and a vacuum pump to the device. When the temperature inside the box drops below 35 degrees it will turn on the heater. The controller is highly customizable. It can be programmed to turn on the vacuum pump at a specific temperature (e.g. when it gets above 32) and off at a certain temperature (e.g. when it gets below 31). It also has an adjustable delay (e.g. turn off the pump an hour after the temperature drops below freezing, and turn on 30 minutes after the temperature gets above freezing).
The first device is finished, though I was hoping to have these available for the 2021 season but the global chip shortage impacted my ability to get the components necessary to build them.
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I made a video of them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-dKGUtyT0
If anyone is interested in one you can PM me or visit my site plymouthsugarworks.com.