Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Ben Framed on September 22, 2019, 03:25:24 am

Title: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: Ben Framed on September 22, 2019, 03:25:24 am
I have a question for you Provap users. Do you regularly replace the o-ring which is used as the seal for your cap, the cap seal?  I am curious as about how many times a cap o-ring can possiabley be expected to last before it needs to be changed? 
Thanks,
Phillip
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: van from Arkansas on September 22, 2019, 10:02:50 am
Phil, my seals are intact on my provap and I have been using 2-3 years.  The rubber is as good as new.

Van
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: Ben Framed on September 22, 2019, 11:13:02 am
Thanks Mr Van, the provap is quite a tool!
Phillip
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: jtcmedic on September 22, 2019, 11:54:36 am
I?ve never had a problem with mine and I agree it is a great time saver
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: van from Arkansas on September 22, 2019, 12:17:50 pm
The Cupped lids of the provap are inexpensive.  It made of heat resistant plastic and holds the Oxalic acid.  I have several, I place one on each hive top preloaded with 2 grams of Oxalic acid.  Then I approach the hive, turn the provap upside down, press the lid on, insert the gas tube into the hive, turn provap rite side up and 8 seconds later, finished and in to next hive.

I stuff soft flexible foam into the entrance so the OAVgas does not escape.  After about 2 minutes, I remove the foam to open the entrance and in another 2 minutes all appears normal.  I have precut foam.  I will post a pic.
Van
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: van from Arkansas on September 22, 2019, 12:24:47 pm
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: van from Arkansas on September 22, 2019, 12:25:16 pm


The long foam is to seal a 10 frame entrance, the shorter foam is for a nuc.  Precut so the foam just fits easily into the entrance and is so soft as to not crush any bees. Fast, easy, gentle on bees.
Van
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: Ben Framed on September 22, 2019, 01:06:11 pm
The Cupped lids of the provap are inexpensive.  It made of heat resistant plastic and holds the Oxalic acid.  I have several, I place one on each hive top preloaded with 2 grams of Oxalic acid.  Then I approach the hive, turn the provap upside down, press the lid on, insert the gas tube into the hive, turn provap rite side up and 8 seconds later, finished and in to next hive.

I stuff soft flexible foam into the entrance so the OAVgas does not escape.  After about 2 minutes, I remove the foam to open the entrance and in another 2 minutes all appears normal.  I have precut foam.  I will post a pic.
Van

Now that is a good idea. I have not seen foam used. I like it!
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: Barhopper on September 22, 2019, 06:23:24 pm
I just started replacing mine. I had it unit for three years and treat 35 or so hives with three round per year. The get brittle and come apart. They don?t leak excessively without the o ring.
Title: Re: Question for you ProVap users.
Post by: BeeMaster2 on September 23, 2019, 08:44:56 am
Ben,
My o ring has changed after repeated use. If I put the cup on and turn it over , it leaked real bad. I have learned to put it on and let it heat up, then fill it and use it.
Jim Altmiller