+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Vacuum Gauges on Releaser

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

    Default Vacuum Gauges on Releaser

    Happy Sugaring Season!

    I'm looking for help on selecting a vacuum gauge for my electric releaser. I started with the oil-filled gauge already on the releaser when I bought the releaser last season. The gauge began to fail towards the end of the season. During prep for this season I replaced the gauge with a dry gauge since I had a new one on the self. I figured it might even last the most of the season like the oil-filled. Instead it lasted less than a day.

    I have the exact same gauge at 2 locations in the woods that are working fine.

    Any thoughts?

    Ken
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    Likely just a defective gauge. I prefer glycerin filled but they are several time the price of dry gauges, thus all of my in the woods gauges except at the releaser were dry, I paid the higher price for on the releaser. That being said, a glycerin filled can also be bad right out of the box too.
    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Sugar Camp, Wisconsin
    Posts
    298

    Default

    Also consider gauges don't like to be hammered or shocked the oil filled ones will take more of a surge / shock than a regular one but if it is a situation where there is a fast change in pressure / vacuum you can install a "gauge saver" just a fitting with a reduced passageway that slows down the surge to the gauge BUT if its vibration damage of the gauge because its mounted on a pump directly the the only thing you can do is remotely mount the gauge using a length of tubing and mount the gauge on a solid mounting away from the vibration. jay
    Zucker Lager

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TapTapTap View Post

    I'm looking for help on selecting a vacuum gauge for my electric releaser. I started with the oil-filled gauge already on the releaser when I bought the releaser last season. The gauge began to fail towards the end of the season. During prep for this season I replaced the gauge with a dry gauge since I had a new one on the self. I figured it might even last the most of the season like the oil-filled. Instead it lasted less than a day.
    I figured it out when I shut down the vacuum during this cold snap and performed some maintenance. It appears that the failure was due to a micro leak in the fitting connection from the releaser canister to the gauge. And we all know what happens when there's a small leak in a moist environment! It also doesn't help that this plumbing is 1/4" and the inlet to the gauge is even smaller.
    Ken
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    South Colton, NY
    Posts
    642

    Default

    H20 Smartrak sensors -- you won't ever look back.
    3,100 taps
    60 cfm flood
    HC2
    5 by 14 oil

    Brian

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sunday Rock Maple View Post
    H20 Smartrak sensors -- you won't ever look back.
    I have thought about a remote monitoring system although it might not have addressed this problem unless it involved fewer fitting connections.

    Perhaps I get the basic remote monitoring system started for next season but it's a pricey upgrade to my sugarbush due to the number of mainlines. I will save my own labor so it's harder to justify compared to if I paid workers (like bigger operations) to do the leak checking. But as I grow older (going on 61) it seems to make more sense to me - I'll still get plenty of exercise.

    Ken
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts