Delaval 73

[Amber Gold]

I have a Delaval 73 and have some questions.

How hot is too hot?

Do they still make the vanes for it and if so where do I get them and what's an approximate cost? I'm wondering if I should have a spare set around just in case.

The pump came with a 3/4 hp motor. What benefits would I get out of putting a 1hp motor on it?

The pump has a small reservoir in the base and I'm guessing it holds 1-2 qts. Would the pump runn cooler and/or more efficient if it was plumbed to a larger tank. I was thinking either 1 gallon or maybe even 5 gallons of oil.

I was surprised yesterday when it was 48 degrees out how much hotter the pump gets compared to 30 degrees. How much does running a box fan over it help? I'd like to run it at 20" or better if I'm not going to hurt the pump.

Thanks

Josh

[Grade "A"]

I have a Delaval 73, and I would say if you can't hold your hand on the pump it is too hot. I run a fan on mine, I'm pulling 23" and I can hold my hand on to pump. You could try different oil to see it the pump will run cooler. I don't know about a bigger tank, it should help. I have heard that you have to have vanes made for this pump but I have never looked for them myself. I think the 3 main things to check is oil, heat, and keeping sap out the pump.

[tuckermtn]

granted this is on a SP-11, but

we use the pattented Parker SP-11 spit N sizzle test...spit on the top of the pump and if it sizzles, its too hot...

I can put my hand on it (running 23-24") but not for more than a second or two...

[Amber Gold]

I'm running Dexron ATF. I'll try to track down a box fan.

Yesterday when it was almost 50 degrees and pulling 18-19" I could put my hand on it for 10 seconds or so before it was too hot. It's pulling 18" today at 40 degrees and I can keep my hand on it no problem. Would it be reasonable for the cold days to run it at 20" and on the warmer days turn it down to keep it from getting too hot?

I finished one short mainline with 25 taps and a 12' sap ladder. Not sure if it's because of the sap ladder or vacuum leaks in the tubing (I've fixed the ones I've found so far), but I lost 2.5" at the releaser.

Eric, shouldn't you be out putting holes in trees?

[Grade "A"]

I don't think it is to hot if you can keep your hand on it for 10 seconds. If you have a fan around I would add it to help out and you could pull some more vacuum. I have seen some people run water over their pump and that worked great, but it is hard to find the extra water in most sugar houses.

[Amber Gold]

Wouldn't the water make a mess? I found an 8" table fan I'm going to try out.

It was cool last night and I was getting 20" out of it and it was staying warm to the touch...wasn't getting hot. Not sure if I could get more out of it.

[Grade "A"]

Yes water could make a mess but he had the pump outside under a lean-to (spelling). He used 5/16 tubing (sap line) from a brook and it worked good for him. The fan should help keep things cool.

[Charlie Harding]

This is my first year with a vaccum and still trying to work the bugs out! My biggest issue right now is sap getting into the pump. I have a moisture trap, but it appears to be filling up while the pump it running. could it have to do with the location of the pump in connection with the releaser? I'm wondering if the releaser is sucking the sap back through the vaccum line to the pump? We have approximately 300 taps on this line with a hobby releaser. Has anyone had this problem, and if so how might I correct it?

[tuckermtn]

its a problem with the hobby releaser- we have been having the same issues. From what I can tell (I'm no vac. expert- have only used the hobby one from Laperrier) is that when things freeze up, the flapper between the upper chamber and the lower freezes shut- and when you start to thaw, the early sap that comes in fills the upper chamber (b/c it has no where to go) and then gets sucked into the vac. pump line. don't have a reliable solution except to free the ice on the flapper every freeze-up...may try tipping the relaser a little bit forward to allow the flapper to more fully drain...

[oneoldsap]

If there is anyway that you can cool your pump with water via the tubing process mentioned above , do it !! Your pump will run as cool as a cucumber and you will be able to pull 2 or 3 more inches of vacuum. I wouldn't recommend using ATF , it has very poor lubrication properties . They make oil just for vacuum pumps. Your moisture trap wants to be between your pump and releaser , if it is a couple feet higher than your pump , that is a good thing .