Leader Evaporator Half Pint Evaporator User manual

Leader Evaporator Co., Inc.
49 Jonergin Drive
Swanton, Vermont 05488
[phone]
www.leaderevaporator.com
Leader Half Pint Evaporator

LEADER Half Pint Evaporator Year: 2014 Page: 2
Contents
INTRODUCTION:...................................................................................................................................................................... 3
CHECKLIST / PARTS LIST .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
OPTIONAL SETUP PARTS AND SUPPLIES ................................................................................................................................. 5
SETUP ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
ASSEMBLY ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
POSITIONING AND INSULATING.......................................................................................................................................... 9
POSITIONING................................................................................................................................................................... 9
BRICKING......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
SETTING THE PANS............................................................................................................................................................ 12
INSTALLING THE DRAW OFF VALVES ............................................................................................................................ 12
First Boil ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13
OPERATION OF THE HALF PINT EVAPORATOR...................................................................................................................... 14
THEORY OF OPERATION.................................................................................................................................................... 14
GRADIENT...................................................................................................................................................................... 14
MAKING SYRUP ................................................................................................................................................................. 16
FLOW REVERSAL............................................................................................................................................................ 16
HYDROMETER FUNCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
USE OF A HYDROMETER.................................................................................................................................................... 18
Preparing a New Hydrometer For Use:......................................................................................................................... 18
Using The Hydrometer.................................................................................................................................................. 18
MAINTENANCE...................................................................................................................................................................... 20
DAILY ................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
END OF SEASON ................................................................................................................................................................ 20
FEEDBACK.............................................................................................................................................................................. 20
NOTES.................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

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INTRODUCTION:
The LEADER “half pint” evaporator is named for its small size. It is specifically designed for the hobbyist maple sugar
maker with 20 to 50 taps while keeping the continuous flow, reverse feed operation of the larger evaporators.
In a continuous flow evaporator, sap is channeled using dividers in the pan so the liquid works its way through the pan
until finally becoming syrup (see the section titled THE GRADIENT). When the syrup is ready it is drawn off. A short time
later, more of the sap will become syrup and another small batch is drawn off.
Sap is boiled only long enough to make syrup. By limiting the time heating and reheating the sap, the caramelizing of
the sugars will be reduced. Reducing the caramelizing of the sugars will result in lighter colored, milder flavored syrup.
As you boil the evaporator will collect residual materials of sugar sand and niter especially in the compartment of the
evaporator where the syrup is being finished –where the liquid is hottest. Over time the pan can scorch where there is
a buildup of sand. The reverse flow capability of the half pint allows you to change the direction of sap flow allowing the
evaporator to “wash” the sand and niter out of the pan.
The following is an introduction to the parts of the half pint evaporator:

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CHECKLIST / PARTS LIST
PART
IDENTIFICATION
QUANTITY
DESCRIPTION/PHOTO
PART
IDENTIFICATION
QUANTITY
DESCRIPTION/PHOTO
Front
1
Back
1
Left
1
Right
1
Bottom
1
G (Grate Rail)
2
Draft Latch Bolt
and Nut 10-24X
1 ½”
1
Draft Latch
1
I (Corner
Bracket)
2
J (Corner
Bracket)
2
J (3 Holed Steel
Legs)
4
H (Grate
Assembly)
1
Machine Screws
¼-20 X ½”
44
Machine Screws
¼-20 X ¾”
22
Ball Valve ½”
Lead Free
(Order #: 60152)
1
Stainless Steel
½” Close Nipple
(Order #: 72101)
1
Reservoir Pan
(Order #:
372433R)
Boiling Pan
(Order
#:372433L)

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OPTIONAL SETUP PARTS AND SUPPLIES
ITEM
DESCRIPTION
LEADER
ORDER #
DESCRIPTION/PHOTO
ITEM
LEADER
ORDER #
DESCRIPTION/PHOTO
The following section lists the parts for the Half Pint Startup Kit. The Half Pint Startup kit contains all the parts needed to complete
the setup of the Half Pint Evaporator. The following parts can be ordered as a kit (Order #: 302435) of individually as listed.
Fire Brick Full
(qty.: 32)
65003
Fire Brick
(qty.: 63)
65006
Rail Gasket ½”
X 2” x 25’ roll
65154
Refractory
Cement
65001
Galvanized
Elbow 6” 24
Gauge
5200
Galvanized
Smoke Stack
(qty.: 3)
52006
SS Nipple ½”
72101
Ball Valve ½”
Stainless
Steel (qty.: 2)
60100
END OF HALF PINT KIT LIST
Short
Hydrometer
Cup
59007
Short
Hydrometer
61064
Thermometer
3” or 5” face, 6”
stem
Recommended
qty.: 2
61022
3” Face/6”
Stem
61028
5” Face/6”
Stem
Firing Gloves
63123
Defoamer 4oz
63015

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SETUP
DIMENSIONS
ASSEMBLY
NOTE:
Assemble the arch close to the location where it will be used.
The following pictures were taken of an already fully assembly ½ pint arch and are used for illustration purposes.
Except where indicated use ¼”-20X ½” bolts for assembly.
Bolts should be inserted into arch so the heads are exposed and the threads are inside the arch.
Finger tighten bolts unless otherwise instructed.
1. Mount Left and right panel to
the bottom panel. Fasten with
¼”-20X ½” bolts and matching
nuts with the bolt heads on the
outside of the arch. Finger
tighten the bolts.
a. Mountings holes are
only in the bottom
flange.
b. Flanges on the bottom
of the sides are
mounted under bottom
panel.
c. Mount bolts in only the
two middle holes of
each side.

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2. Raise and support the arch up approximately 8” up from
the working surface.
3. Use ¼”-20 X ¾” bolts to mount the legs onto the arch. The
bolt heads should be outside of the arch. The mounting
holes are located one in each side corner and two in each
bottom corner. Tighten these bolts with a screwdriver and
a 7/16” wrench
4. Remove the supports and place the arch upright on its legs.
5. Mount front panel with ¼”-20X ½” bolts and matching nuts
with the bolt heads on the outside of the arch. Finger
tighten the bolts.
a. To the left and right sides so the flanges of the front
panel are outside the left and right sides.
b. The upright flange of the bottom panel should be
behind the front panel.
7.All parts assembled so far should be mounted together with bolts that have been finger tightened
8. Square one corner using a carpenter’s square and tighten all the bolts in that corner. All flanges
should align. Repeat until all four corners are complete.
9. Tighten all remaining installed bolts
10. Use ¼”-20 X ¾” bolts and associated nuts with bolt heads
outside of the arch to mount a grate rail to the left and
right sides. The grate rails should be mounted with the
angle iron pointed down. Prior to tightening the bolts,
pull the grate rail as high as possible on the side panel
then tighten the bolts with a screwdriver and 7/16”
wrench.
11. Install the corner brackets with ¼”-20X ½” bolts and
matching nuts with the bolt heads on the outside of the
arch..
a. Bracket I to the front right and the back left
b. Bracket J to the front left and the back right
Brackets must be installed correctly for the fittings
of the boiling pan to set on the arch.
6. Mount back panel with ¼”-20X ½” bolts and
matching nuts with the bolt heads on the outside
of the arch. Finger tighten the bolts.
a. Back panel flanges go outside the left and right
side panels
b. The bottom panel flange goes inside the back
panel

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12. Install the draft door latch using the 10-24 X 1-1/2” bolt and nut. The
notches in the latch should be pointed towards the front of the arch. To
ease the installation you may remove the door by pulling the hinge pin
that connects the door to the arch front.
13. Install the grates assembly. The edges of the grate
assembly are placed on the grate rail. The “V” grooves
of the grates will be parallel to the sides of the arch.

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POSITIONING AND INSULATING
POSITIONING
1. Place the arch on a stable surface. Use a 4 foot level and level the arch front to back and side to side. Shim the
legs as necessary using metal shims. Shims are not included.
2. Place the boiling pan on the arch so it rests between the corner brackets (dividers run front to back) and recheck
the level.
3. Install the elbow and stack. The half pint evaporator requires a 6” 90° elbow and 6” smoke stack. Install at least
3 three foot lengths of stack.
4. Remove the boiling pan and grate then brick as described in the following directions.
BRICKING
NOTES:
Fire bricks and cement used should be rated for 3000°F
To apply cement, completely skim coat the metal of the arch where the brick is to be installed. Put about 1/8”
on each edge of the brick to be installed and a skim coat on the side facing the metal.
As you install the bricks, smooth the cement that will be forced from between the bricks.
After completing the bricking, allow the cement to dry at room temperature (approximately 65°F).
Measurements in these drawings will vary depending on the technique used in bricking. Always “dry fit” the
bricks first to ensure a good fit.
BOTTOM
1. You will need 18 half bricks
2. Cut a ½ bricks in half (result is 2 pcs
4 ½” x 4 ½”) (HHB).
3. Coat the floor with refractory
cement.
4. Place the bricks into the arch as
illustrated. The spacing between
the outside panels of the arch and
the brick is approximately 1”.
Remember to coat the edges of the
bricks with approximately 1/8” of
refractory cement.

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BACK
1. You will need 13 half bricks
2. Cut bricks for the locations as labeled
a. B1 –4” X 6.5”
b. B2 –3.5” X 6.5”
3. Apply a coat of cement to the back panel.
4. Place the bricks into the arch as illustrated. Remember to coat the edges of the bricks with approximately 1/8”
of refractory cement.
5. The end bricks of the bottom row will be behind the bottom row of the full bricks when the sides are bricked
(side bricks not shown in this diagram).
6. Fill the gaps between the smoke stack elbow and the brick with refractory cement.
SIDES
1. Both sides are laid out the same. Mirror the above diagram for the left side of the arch.