A frustrating day.

Into the woods by 6:30 AM to get the R/O setup to process yesterday’s sap. Started the evaporator right away anticipating there were be concentrate later in the morning. Several missteps connecting the pipes. Mostly the connections to the control panel must be done before mounting on the wall. Took it down at least three times before I realized that.

Finally it was ready. Started the feed pump. Nothing. Motor gets power but pump not spinning. Called the electrician thinking we were not getting proper volts or amps. They confirmed proper volts and amps. Tried turning the motor by hand. Found a spot that turned hard. We turned off and on several times. Finally the motor gave out completely in a puff of blue, acid smelling smoke. Its toast.

The is stored at the farmhouse all year in a room that is at least 65 degrees. Its drained at the end of each season. The pump has two thumb screws to take out to be sure its empty. Maybe we can do an autopsy after its replaced to determine what happened.

Called equipment dealer to try to get a replacement. Ships from Vermont. Maybe Quebec is we are unlucky. The manufacture is in Quebec.

Until its replaced its back tio old school cooking. Lots of wood. Long hours.

26 overnight. 40 during the day. Started partly cloudy. By 11:00 AM snow flurries moved it. By 3:00 PM the sun was out. 27 tonight with sun and 40 tomorrow.

Tree pressure -9 PSI this morning: the tree is pulling sap up. Later up to 15 PSI.

One positive: wonderful aroma from the cooking sap.

Back to the farmhouse by 6:30 PM.