Melted Vaporizer

[Les]

After completely my treatments with the Formic Acid, my mite counts are still too high.  After giving them a boost with some sugar syrup with Honey Bee Healthy I was planning on doing OAV.  Since this my first use of the vaporizer, we decided to do a test run off the car battery.  Loaded the OA, connected the vaporizer to the battery and in less than two minutes the doggone the handle that attaches to the plate melted right off the plate!!!!  Was the car battery to much voltage for the vaporizer? 

At this point, I do not want to spend the money on another vaporizer.  Has anyone done the OA trickle method?

[CBT]

That tool is defective. Would like a pic. No the battery was not too strong. The tool only takes what it needs to work unless it shorted out and heated to the melting point.

[iddee]

I would contact the supplier and tell them to send me a replacement.

[Les]

Photos of melted vaporizer.  Still wondering if anyone has done the trickle method of OA?

[Wandering Man]

Let me know what you learn when you contact the manufacturer. I think I have the same brand. One corner of mine has melted. It is still intact and usable, but I'd be curious to see what they say.

[Bakersdozen]

Les, I did the trickle method last year.  It worked for me.  I don't remember mite counts so that I can tell you how effective it was.  My colonies over wintered.  I got the syringes at the farm supply store.  You still have to take safety measures when applying and it is a more tedious method.  If you only have a few hives it's not bad.
Sorry to hear about your vaporizer.  That really messes up your fall prep plans.

[Nugget Shooter]

Wow not good and getting dangerously hot I use 2 types and prefer the home made one from a beverage warmer and copper pipe cap. Had to stretch the cap with a hammer and punch, but it will vaporize a gram of OA in 1.5 to 2 minutes. The store bought one uses a diesel glow plug and takes about 4 minutes and the plug needs replaced as it burns itself out eventually. The drink warmer one cost me 7 dollars to make.....

[Perry]

I just saw a new vapourizer in the latest Bee Culture magazine. Automatic in that you shove it in and it turns itself off when done, no disconnect. Looks sturdy enough.

https://www.kelleybees.com/Shop/23/Queens-Bees/Bee-Health/4907/Oxalic-Acid-Vaporizer

[Les]

Thanks Perry for the info.

[Perry]

I have a Varrox, it looks and feels like a weapon it's so sturdy. The Heisler model doesn't look "substantial" in my opinion.

[neillsayers]

Les,
Randy Oliver's Scientific Beekeeping site has a lot of details on using Oxalic trickle.