Different OA Sublimators - much difference?

[Stedic]

I'm looking to set myself up for OA sublimation in December.

For no end of reasons I'm not sure my Apiguard treatments were entirely effective (but were all I could do at the time). I'd like to use OA longer term so seems sensible to set up for a December treatment (if not a course before then?).

What is the difference between Thornes offering at £30 and the £200 ones elsewhere? Is there any or is it just the market developing.

I only have a few hives and nucs so though I'd try using one of the small car jump starters to keep things nice and portable.

 

[Millet]

Some folk on here use a car jump starter to good effect for around 8 hives i believe so you should be ok, however each type of oxcalic vaporizer vaps at different times, some take 2mins and some take 5mins which will obviously alter the amount of doses you can give from one charge, imo buy a half decent one with the smallest heat plate possible, and do a test run with it first before you vape a hive.

 

[Beefriendly]

I'm looking to set myself up for OA sublimation in December.

If you are serious about sublimation then one of the expensive active ones is good. These produce a pressurized stream of vaporized Oxalic acid, take about 20 seconds per hive and can be used all year round.
The best is called a Sublimox...it used to be impossible to source in the UK as no-one stocked it....but as I called in at Abelo's on my way home from York...what did I see sitting on the shelves....
Seems we now have a UK stockist of the Sublimox, which is great. And even greater seemed to be an array of spare parts for them (including spare "O" rings), something I've never seen listed on our continental suppliers web sites..
Damien mentioned someone had shot a vid for him, which I found on U-Tube...not very good (you are meant to insert the nozzle into the hive entrance before turning it upside down) but you get the idea.

Stedic, if you do go for an active vaporizer,,,make sure you wear all the necessary safety mask, breathing vaporized OA is not a pleasant experience.

For what it's worth the price of the cheap pan types is down to quality of build (someone will be along to tell you very shortly how they made themselves one for less than an euro)....what they will forget to tell you is you also need to build/make yourself special trays to slide in under your open mesh floor so as to avoid burning holes in your hives/ scorching the bottoms of frames if inserted through the entrance...I think the pan types are fiddly and usually take about 5-10 minutes per hive...but needs must as financially they are a cheap solution.

 

[Millet]

I think the pan types are fiddly and usually take about 5-10 minutes per hive...but needs must as financially they are a cheap solution.

The one i have is a good one and takes two minuets to blast it's guts out, however if you are quick do not let it cool down and launch the preferred product on the pan and place it quickly into where ever you choose it is even quicker ..please do not try this at home but it took me less than 10 minutes to do three hives but i do have a good battery..

 

[madasafish]

what they will forget to tell you is you also need to build/make yourself special trays to slide in under your open mesh floor so as to avoid burning holes in your hives/ scorching the bottoms of frames if inserted through the entrance.[/B]..I think the pan types are fiddly and usually take about 5-10 minutes per hive...but needs must as financially they are a cheap solution.

Nope... none here, no burning.. tool weighted to lie on floor. No burned frames

 

[Stedic]

The subliminal does look great...but far too pricey for me at this stage, especially after adding a power source. Perhaps later on it'll be worth it.

Presumably you can let the pan sit on the OMF to avoid burning?

I've seen some people vape from under the OMF - presumably OK but less efficient?

 

[Millet]

The subliminal does look great...but far too pricey for me at this stage, especially after adding a power source. Perhaps later on it'll be worth it.

Presumably you can let the pan sit on the OMF to avoid burning?

I've seen some people vape from under the OMF - presumably OK but less efficient?

It is very efficient even under the Open Mesh Floor, you just stick a bit more in to compensate for it gathering on the mesh, them Sublimox are the dog's dangles though and i hope i get one for Xmas.

 

[coffindodger]

I've a cheap pan one and it works well. Battery voltage and supplied amps must be adequate. A small motor cycle battery didn't give the amps, but a small jump starter (£20) does the job without fail. It's worth checking that the pan cannot slip around the 'pole' and then make a mark on the handle so that you can be sure that it stays level when out of sight under the hive. To find out how long to leave in, it's trial and error (put in and take out after 1min, 2mins etc) as the combination of battery and pan are probably unique.

 

[Swarm]

With just a few hives, the little cheapy job from thornes is more than adequate.

 

[Beefriendly]

Oh aye, no point spending serious money if you only have a few hives.
When you approach (or pass) double figures you have to make a personal choice between your time or spend a bit of money to speed things up considerably.

 

[Stedic]

Thanks everyone. Cheap and cheerful it is I think.

Slightly off topic - if I'm treating under the OMF do I need to position the pan such that I can walk away from it or am I ok just to hold it for 3 mins? From the upwind side of course!!

Can I do the same under the mesh of a maisemore poly nuc, so long as I stay away from the poly itself?

 

[Millet]

Thanks everyone. Cheap and cheerful it is I think.

Slightly off topic - if I'm treating under the OMF do I need to position the pan such that I can walk away from it or am I ok just to hold it for 3 mins? From the upwind side of course!!

Can I do the same under the mesh of a maisemore poly nuc, so long as I stay away from the poly itself?

Try it and see what happens, unless you have a poly floor then a piece of wood will be required.

 

[Swarm]

I made a plywood board that slides on top of the inspection board. It has two strips of wood attached, forming a slot so the vaper fits into it. Once nestled in place, just take some measure to prevent any pivoting and then block the area with foam or something.
I would advise you to load the vaper, set it all up then move away and connect. Three minutes should do the job, disconnect and give it time to cool a bit before removing the tool and plunging in water. Remove the board and seal hive back up. The pan should be cool and dry now to move on to the next hive.