Oxalic acid vaporizer USER MANUAL

Oxalic acid vaporizer USER MANUAL Version 1.0 01 2016 1

1 Safety and warnings Read the user manual carefully before using the oxalic acid vaporizer. The manual contains important information about the use, safety, cleaning and maintenance of the oxalic acid vaporizer. This will enable you to protect the device and ensure your safety. Keep the user manual for a possible next user of the device. Oxalic acid vaporizer complies with the given safety requirements. Improper use may damage the oxalic acid vaporizer and endanger the user. The repair and maintenance of the device must be carried out only by persons authorized by Asten Honey Production & Technology. 1.1 Technical safety Before installation, make sure that the oxalic acid vaporizer does not have any visible damage. If damaged, oxalic acid vaporizer should not be put into operation. Possible additional accessories and equipment may be used together with the device only if they are approved by the manufacturer. If any non-intended components are attached with and/or to the device, the warranty is void. Figure 1. Oxalic acid vaporizer Fan Oxalic acid s dosing door Portable legs enable installation at different hive heights Oxalic acid heater: 150W / 600W Power cable connect with the mains supply (230V) or electric generator. 2 ASTEN HONEY PRODUCTION & TECHNOLOGY

2 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the oxalic acid vaporizer. Please read this user manual carefully prior to use to ensure the proper use of the oxalic acid vaporizer. Retain this manual for later viewing. Oxalic acid vaporizer is designed for professional use as well as for novice beekeepers in smaller apiaries. The following are listed in the user manual: A brief description of the device and its components Instructions to start operating the device Safety precautions 2.1 Operating and the purpose of the user manual Oxalic acid vaporizer is designed for beekeepers for vaporizing dry oxalic acid in order to control Varroa mites. The device must not be used for other purposes. The aim of the user manual is to introduce the functionalities and possibilities of the oxalic acid vaporizer. The product is supplied with the following: oxalic acid vaporizer, and user and safety manual. 2.2 2.2 Overview of the working process Be sure to read the product s user manual before using this product. Arrange a suitable workplace. Ensure that it is safe to start the work and that the person who operates the device has read the user manual. Since it is an electrical device, it is forbidden to use the device in damp conditions (in rain or to place the device in water)! www.asten.ee info@asten.ee 3

3 The first putting into use and operational process When putting the device into use attach legs to the device (provided in the transport packaging). The purpose of the legs is to support the rear part of the device if the entrances are higher from the ground. If the hive s entrances are low to the ground then the installation of legs is not necessary. Device comes with an easily detachable fan; its cable must pass between the device s legs during the use of the product. To avoid friction or pressure between the device s legs and the fan s cable (see Figures 1 and 2). To start work, connect the power cable with the mains supply (230V) or electric generator. Then turn the switch to the position IN, and the other switch to the position 600W. The device will start warming up. Cold device reaches working temperature within approximately 5 10 minutes Figure 2. Detached fan (preheated device reaches working temperature within 2 3 minutes). To check the device s working temperature dose a sample volume of oxalic acid into the device if oxalic acid vapour exiting the device is with dense white consistency, then the device has reached its working temperature. Then turn the switch to position 150W, which provides a heater temperature of 180 250 C the work process may now begin! Holding the device for longer than 10 minutes on 600W entails a risk of overheating. Put the outlet vapour pipe end into the entrance and fill the dosing device with the necessary amount of dry oxalic acid. Fill the dosing device by pushing the empty dosing device into oxalic acid; then press the necessary amount of oxalic acid from the dosing device to the heating chamber and quickly shut the door. Intensive oxalic acid vaporization will begin. 4 ASTEN HONEY PRODUCTION & TECHNOLOGY

Vaporization process suitable for one beehive must last at least for two (2) minutes if the bees are in a cluster (autumn/winter). If the treatment process is taking place during the time when the bee colonies/bees are scattered in the hive, then the vaporization process must be performed until the hive is filled with vapour (30 seconds to 1 minute). Following this, take the device to another hive and perform another dosing. You may also dose a greater quantity and treat multiple bee colonies with one dose; in this case it might be difficult to achieve a uniform level of vapour because the large quantity may cool the heater down. If you notice that the vaporization process has slowed down because of the cooling of the heater, then turn the switch on 600W for 1 2 minutes to rapidly achieve a sufficient working temperature and then quickly switch it back again to position 150W. Dosing device s 1ml corresponds to 1g of oxalic acid. Recommended dosing quantity in case of single dosing for one bee colony is 10 15g of oxalic acid; if necessary, the amount may be changed. If the device has not reached the necessary working temperature or if the external temperature is too low, then there is a possibility that some of the oxalic acid will crystallise in the outlet of the vapour pipe and in the dosing opening of the heating chamber during the vaporization of the acid. Vapour pipe s blockage is indicated by vapour coming out of the fan. It is forbidden to shake or strike the device if the vapour pipe is blocked; it may damage the device. Blockage is easily removed by using a suitable auxiliary means (e.g. knife tip) Figure 3. Dosing opening Figure 4. Dosing with the dosing device to the heating chamber. Figure 5. Vapour pipe outlet. www.asten.ee info@asten.ee 5

4 Transportation of the device The device cools down slowly. When transporting the device to the next bee group, please use a pick-up, trailer or a van with a bulkhead (in case of overpressure in the cabin). Transportation of a warm device in the passenger cabin is strictly forbidden! 5 Technical data Power supply 230V Weight 4.5kg Length 65cm Height 25cm Maximum capacity 620W 6 Maintenance of equipment and cleaning Vapour pipe must be cleaned from crystallised oxalic acid at the end of each working day or before the beginning of the next working day. Remove the fan from the vapour pipe and, with the help of a special instrument, scrape the crystallised oxalic acid from the inner walls of the pipe and also clean the fan housing by mechanical scraping. Be sure to remove the device from the mains before these maintenance works. Monitor carefully to ensure that the electrical parts (oxalic acid vaporizer s control panel) do not get wet. 6 ASTEN HONEY PRODUCTION & TECHNOLOGY

7 Safety precautions Before using the product, carefully read the following safety measures in order to ensure the correct and safe use of the product and prevent damage to the product and injury to you or to others. The person responsible must ensure that all users of this user manual understand the user manual and adhere to it. To enable users to quickly access the user manual, keep the user manual near the product. 1. The product should only be used when the external conditions (dry weather) are met and when using personal protective equipment (half or full mask with gas filters, goggles, gloves). 2. In order to avoid intense oxalic acid vapours remain downwind during the work. 3. When being in the intensive oxalic acid vapour use safety goggles (silicon frame). 4. It is forbidden to modify the device or any other modifications / improvements. 5. Oxalic acid vaporizer must only be used to vaporize oxalic acid for controlling Varroa mites. 6. Outer casing of the heating chamber warms up during the working process. CAUTION risk of burns! 7. In case of breakdown or failure, stop work, switch off the power, and only then determine the cause of the fault. 8. In case of serious product failure, contact the manufacturer. 9. The device cannot be used without prior investigation of the user manual. Product liability Asteni Mesindus OÜ is responsible that the oxalic acid vaporizer is completely safe when it is correctly used, and the device is supplied with a user manual and safety instructions. www.asten.ee info@asten.ee 7

8 Warranty conditions 1. Warranty duration and time Asten Honey Production & Technology equipment s warranty is 24 months from the date of purchase of the product. Repair or replacement of the product during the warranty period will not extend the warranty period. 2. Warranty terms 1. The device has been purchased directly from the manufacturer or authorized retailers. 2. Warranty reclamations are valid if they are submitted no later than 14 days after the occurrence of the fault. 3. Warranty Faults are resolved free of charge in case of material or manufacturing faults during the warranty period, either by repairing the faulty part or by replacement with an original spare part. Defective parts are returned to manufacturer Asten Honey Production & Technology. 4. Warranty does not apply... 1. If the device has not been used specifically for the purpose and conditions set out in the user manual vaporization of oxalic acid. 2. If the device has transport damage that has occurred after receiving the device from the manufacturer or reseller and is caused by the end user. 3. If the device has been repaired, disassembled or rebuilt by a nonauthorized persons. 8 ASTEN HONEY PRODUCTION & TECHNOLOGY