The LED virtual sight glass is commonly used in the sugarhouse to visualize the level of liquid in the head tank of an evaporator. A submersible liquid level sensor is used to precisely measure detect the level of liquid in the tank down to 0.25". Based on the liquid level, the LED virtual sight glass controller, will illuminate multiple LEDs on a ~3' long (60 LED light strip. This allows you to always know the level of liquid in any tank.
- The LED strip will turn Blue/Green when the level is at the desired zone
- The LED strip will turn Blue/Red when the level is in a undesirable zone (close to empty, close to full).
A user can scale the sensor reading to accommodate smaller and larger tanks and can also set their specific threshold on when to turn the LED strip colors based on the level of the tank.
The LED light strip can be mounted to a wall in plane sight of your evaporator or common work area. The tank itself can be up to 25' away.
Includes everything you need to begin monitoring your sugarbush today including: 6' USB Cable, USB power adapter, Vacuum hook-up connection to releasers, Submersible tank level sensor with 10 ft cable.
Device includes SIM Card and ships pre-activated ready to connect. Requires $50/season subscription fee paid to SapSpy. The first season is included with your purchase. Future seasons will be invoiced in January.
Measure: Tank Level (0-100%) Vacuum Level (0-29.9 inHg) Temperature (degrees F)
Alert: Send text alert based on alert settings you configure. Sends alerts up to 3 people.
Plot history: Plot the history of the vacuum level, tank level and temperature for durations between 1 hr and 14 days. Known how cold it was last night as well as how the sap is running during the day. Ensure your vacuum is always at peak performance.
No power in the woods? No Problem: Device can last 2-4 weeks on a single charge. Available Options include: Solar Panel or alligator clips for 6-12 Volt battery.
No WiFi in the woods? No Problem: Device connects over the cellular network with near full Cellular coverage throughout US and most of Canada
Includes everything you need to begin monitoring your sugarbush today including: 6' USB Cable, USB power adapter, Vacuum hook-up connection to releasers, submersible tank level sensor with 10 ft cable + 10' extension cable.
Requires $50/season subscription fee paid to Sap Spy. The first season is included with your purchase. Future seasons will be invoiced in January.
Measure: Tank Level (0-100%) Vacuum Level (0-29.9 inHg) Temperature (degrees F)
Alert: Send text alert based on alert settings you configure. Sends alerts up to 3 people.
Plot history: Plot the history of the vacuum level, tank level and temperature for durations between 1 hr and 14 days. Known how cold it was last night as well as how the sap is running during the day. Ensure your vacuum is always at peak performance.
Limited Cell Service or Already have WiFi? No Problem: The WiFi sensor hub connects over your existing WiFi network for connectivity.
As of Dec 18th 2023, sensor nodes are in stock for the 2024 season. Most orders ship in 1-3 days.
A SapSpy Sensor Node communicates to the SapSpy Sensor Hub (Sold Separately) allowing you to measure vacuum at different locations in your sugarbush.
A sensor node can be one of the following configurations:
1) Single Vacuum Sensor with temperature sensor
2) Dual vacuum sensor with temperature sensor
3) Single Vacuum Sensor with Ultrasonic Tank level sensor and temperature sensor (used for a tank and releaser)
4) Single Ultrasonic tank level sensor and temperature sensor (Typically used where an electric releaser pumps to a remote tank where vacuum monitoring is not needed).
In order for SapSpy Sensor Nodes to communicated to the SapSpy Sensor Hub, the Sensor Hub must include an add-on radio option for +$100.
Sap Spy nodes are now capable of Spy Mesh. Spy Mesh allows nodes to repeat a signal in order to significantly increase the distance between end of line vacuum sensors and the sensor hub (Cellular Gateway). Videos and additional instructional content will be updated in Q4 of 2022 discussing this new and exciting functionality.
A single sensor hub can service many sensor nodes (currently up to 40). The recommended maximum number of hops between a sensor hub and sensor node is 4. The expected distance between two sensors nodes is estimated at ~1500' - 2500' through a typical sugarbush. Line of sight, sensor nodes can reach 3 miles+ between two nodes. It is recommended to use a dedicated Sensor Hub per sugarbush location and use that particular Sensor Hub to service all sensor nodes in the local sugarbush.
SapSpy
Control Node
Regular price
Sale price
$475.00
A SapSpy Control Node communicates to the SapSpy Sensor Hub (Sold Separately) allowing you to control a relay module, measure vacuum, tank level and temperature in different areas of your sugarbush. A control node is typically used at a secondary collection station or another location in the sugarbush where you need to turn a motor on/off, open/close a solenoid valve, or any number of applications.
Control nodes will require 5V power via a USB cable. This keeps them "awake" 24/7 always listening for commands. For the 2025 season, control nodes should be within direct communication of a sensor hub.
Control Nodes will be a limited release for the 2025 season. Customers who purchase a limited release version will have an opportunity for a free upgrade if hardware changes are required.
In order for SapSpy Sensor Nodes to communicated to the SapSpy Sensor Hub, the Sensor Hub must include an add-on radio option for +$100.
Sap Spy nodes are now capable of Spy Mesh. Spy Mesh allows nodes to repeat a signal in order to significantly increase the distance between end of line vacuum sensors and the sensor hub (Cellular Gateway). Videos and additional instructional content will be updated in Q4 of 2022 discussing this new and exciting functionality.
A single sensor hub can service many sensor nodes. The recommended maximum number of hops between a sensor hub and sensor node is 4. The expected distance between two sensors nodes is estimated at ~1500' - 2500' through a typical sugarbush. Line of sight, sensor nodes can reach 3 miles+ between two nodes. It is recommended to use a dedicated Sensor Hub per sugarbush location and use that particular Sensor Hub to service all sensor nodes in the local sugarbush.
SapSpy
Metering Node (Pulse Counter)
Regular price
$400.00
Sale price
$360.00
A SapSpy Metering Node keeps track of the total sap collected in a sugarbush at each electric releaser. The metering node tracks the total gallons or liters pumped at every 5 minute interval. Within the Sap Spy web app, we then calculate and visualize the following:
Total gallons for the season
Total gallons/tap for the season
Gallons/reading
Gallons/Hour
Gallons/Day
Gallons/Tap/Day
This data helps you track your total production for the season helping you optimize your operation. Data is maintained year over year for ongoing seasonal comparisons.
Metering nodes will be a limited release for the 2025 season. Customers who purchase a limited release version will have an opportunity for a free upgrade if hardware changes are required.
A Sap Spy metering node is simply a pulse counter. It is universal and operates with any water meter that produces a pulse output. If you already have a water meter with pulse output capability, there is no need to replace it. Simply use this node directly.
If you don't already have a metering node, one can be purchased separately.
Pulse counting can also be used to count the total number of dump cycles from a mechanical releaser allowing you to track total volume of sap processed and average time taken between dump cycles. This requires a magnetic reed switch also sold separately.
