Using the tank heater to supplement the pump during the wash cycle worked. We set the thermostat to 108 and left the heater on during the entire wash cycle. With the base temperature at 108, the pump only needed to raise the temperature 5 degrees by cycling water through the membrane. Friction from the water passing through the membrane raises the temperature. We started the wash cycle at Noon. Checked it at 6:45 PM. Temperature was 112.9. It needs to reach 113. Checked again at 7:50 PM. The pump was off. The wash cycle completed successfully. Took about 7 hours which is consistent with past use. Using the tank heater should be workable solution.
Into the woods at 2:45 PM to wash tanks and prepare to collect. Pickup 175 gallons, but the sugar is still down: 1.5 Brix.
35 overnight. Cloudy this morning then becoming sunny with high of 42. Expect lows in mid 20s tonight with highs in the low 40s and sunny tomorrow. Hoping for a sap run. But Friday night into Saturday we get snow: 2”-4” forecast.
Back to the farmhouse by 5:00 PM.