New Vent Hole Type Oxalic Evaporator

[topbarguy]

Hi Guys,

I have been testing a new vent type evaporator. It's built out of 1/2 "copper pipe and fittings, two caps and a 45 degree elbow. I use screws and teflon tape to assemble it.

I like it much better than my brass fitting evaporator. The thinner metal heats and cools faster. It doesn't require water for cooling. And there is much less condensation in the evaporator when angled at 45 degrees.

This evaporator uses a measuring cap which is easily and cleanly filled. No oxalic sticks to the threads, etc. And the cup can be built to hold the exact dosage.

I had worried about the longevity of the teflon tape and the screws. But so far I haven't had any problems. I heat the evaporator with a propane torch set as low as possible for 3 to 4 minutes. The tape has held out. I'm not sure it would last if one smelts rather than melts, but it could easily be replaced.

You can see some photos of it at: http://wind.prohosting.com/tbhguy/bee/oxal.htm

It's about half way down the page.

Regards
Dennis

[This message has been edited by topbarguy (edited September 15, 2004).]

[SilverFox]

Tried to get it to open but got an error message 'bad gate'

[topbarguy]

Hi Guys,

It seems to be working now.

Regards
Dennis

[The Honey House]

Why the screws?
Couldn't the whole device be sweated together with solder?

[Hillbillynursery]

The heat would cause the solder to run out. You are heating it with a torch.

[Robert Brenchley]

Ideally it probably wants brazing.

------------------
Regards,

Robert Brenchley

RSBrenchley@aol.com
Birmingham UK

[topbarguy]

Hi Guys,

Brazing would be the best. If you have the equipment or know someone who does, you won't be disappointed.

A welding shop could do it. Check the minimum charge as some are high enough to price this type of evaporator above the cost of commercially available ones.

Regards
Dennis

[JohnBeeMan]

TopBarGuy - I am having problems getting to the website. (site not found)

I plan to treat with the Oxalic acid in next couple of weeks using the original pipe design. One that is easier to heat would be nice. http://www.beesource.com/ubb/smile.gif

[magnet-man]

I thought you weren't supposed to use copper, or do I have my wires crossed?

[JohnBeeMan]

Found the problem in getting to the website -my firewall was blocking access to a whole block of ip addresses.

The new design looks straight foward - maybe I'll give it a trial. My problem with my original pipe was too much heat was transferred to the tip and I got a lot of s burning at the hole into the hive (a real problem on some of my plastic boxes). I build a shim that I was planning to place on top of hive to use when treating to overcome some of the heat problems - the shim was made from 3/4 oak so it should be able to hande the heat better.

[topbarguy]

Hi Guys,

All of my vent type evaporators get hotter than the entrance evaporator. They get hot enough to melt any propolis or beeswax that is in the hole. I would be very careful using them around styrofoam equipment.

I think the copper ones gets hotter, faster than the brass.

Regards
Dennis