[Shibukraj]

Greetings all,
I went through the many setups described here in many threads for the Sugar Syrup Mixing and Feeding using various types of pump set up. I am planning to build one since my last set up died very quickly. I am planning to have up to 300 hives by end of this season, so that is what I am looking for in terms of size and mostly in my region the max I need to feed is a 2: 1 ratio syrup and nothing more than that ratio. The main intent and question behind this post is what kind of pump I should go for.

The choices I have nailed down after reading the many posts in this forum are the following

1) Rotary Gear Pump with Honda Engine
2) Semi Trash pump.

While feeding the hives, in many of my yards I cannot see the bottom of the tanks to know how full it is. So any of the above pump set up has issues with Dry Run. How you guys work around the dry run issue?

Does these pumps can run dry at least for 5 to 10 min before I can reach the truck and stop the pump? I assume my last setup died on my because the pump run dry or low on liquid.

Can the Rotary Gear pumps can run dry for some time -- Say 5 to 10 min?

Any help is highly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Oldtimer]

Both trash pumps, and some if not all rotary gear pumps will have issues running dry for 5 to 10 minutes.

How do i work around this? I walk over to the pump and turn it off. I don't see how it can take 5 to 10 minutes to do that. How come?


Couple other things. For just 300 hives, a Honda or similar petrol driven trash pump is all you need and will work out pretty cheap. But if you want a rotary gear pump then you have to also spend money on a pressure release system and feedback loop. If going to all that expense, you may also be able to install some kind of engine shutoff when the syrup is low in the tank.

But me, I think you should look at your procedures and design something in so it doesn't take 5 to 10 minutes after you see the syrup stop flowing, to shut down the pump.

 

[little_john]

Two possible solutions: a) fit a float switch to your choice of pump - or use a pump which already has one - like this Hippo:

or b) - install a kill switch inside a small box, and run it back to whatever's driving the pump via a long lead (cord).
LJ

 

[Robert Holcombe]

Just an idea: Put in something like a sump pump float switch that removes the "spark", kill switch for magneto or a switch suitable for your engine's ignition circuit.

 

[Shibukraj]

Thanks every one. I will take these suggestions especially looking at my procedure for sure. The main reason for 5 min is I cannot reach my truck near the hives and I have to walk around some wooded area to reach the truck. That leads me to another question regarding the length and type of the hose. I will post that as a separate question because that way I will easy for others who are seraching to find the answers.

Thanks every one for the great suggestions and wisdom.

Thanks

 

[Oldtimer]

OK i understand.

Looks like only solution is employ some type of auto shutoff, they do exist, you would just cut the ignition wire of your pump and wire the shutoff into that.

 

[jean-marc]

If it takes 5 minutes to walk back to the truck, that is an awfully long hose. Get a better bee yard.

Jean-Marc

 

[sharpdog]

Its not real complicated. A Honda GX200 is almost bullet proof. No need for relief protection and can run dry for 10 min no problem. We mix alot of 2-1 using this pump, and feed it using a gas pump fill nozzle to fill feeders. I cant imagine anything is cheaper or more effective/robust.

 

[JWPalmer]

Do you know which pump is attached to the GX200 Honda motor?

 

[bwilson]

I'm not sure of your setup, but I would recommend a sight glass installed on the tank so you can keep an eye on the level. valve on top and bottom, clear tubing between the 2 valves and the syrup level will be shown in the tubing. of course, if your 100ft away then it doesn't help much unless you put red dye in your syrup or something like that lol.

 

[Jack Grimshaw]

I'm not sure of your setup, but I would recommend a sight glass installed on the tank so you can keep an eye on the level. valve on top and bottom, clear tubing between the 2 valves and the syrup level will be shown in the tubing. of course, if your 100ft away then it doesn't help much unless you put red dye in your syrup or something like that lol.

Only need a valve on the bottom and an elbow on the top.
In my past life,I ran a 1000 gal tree sprayer and such a setup was very convenient.
We used a graduated dip stick and some not too complicated math to figure gal per inch showing in the clear tube.No more climbing up on the truck to stick the tank.
Close valve,measure height in tube and record(or remember),spray yard,wind hose,open valve,measure,subtract and convert to gal.
Since we kept records,this allowed me to plan a circular route that brought me back to the fill up just as the tank was close to empty and no return trips just to finish a job.
Now everone uses digital flow meters.