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Offline gaucho10

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Vented Inner Cover
« on: January 08, 2010, 05:16:25 am »
I give up!!!!!


I can't manage to U/L pictures here so if anybody is interested to see my new design from my previous VIC go to my web page at www.beesbatsandbeyond.com and then go to "Bee Equipment".  I have redesigned the location of the upper entrance, no vent holes on the front and I included a "front porch" alighting board.  I have attempted to explain it here but I keep loosing everything I type while I am trying to U/L pics to my post.

« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 06:14:28 am by gaucho10 »
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline Robo

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2010, 08:24:26 am »
Rich,

I edited your post and added an image.  Go edit the post again and it should be clear how to add the other images.  If you have problems I'll help you out.


Excellent, I might add.  I love it when people think outside the box and design stuff on their own. thanks for sharing.   One thing you might consider is the dado a frame rest in the top.  I looks like the box is deep enough to hold medium frames,  and I often find myself putting a frame or two in the vent box to have the honey cleaned out or even at times letting the remainder of brood hatch in the summer. It is especially handy if your doing a little queen rearing and have extra frames temporarily.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison



Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2010, 11:21:40 am »
Thanks Robo!!!!!!!!! I appreciate it!  The idea of the dado for the frames crossed my mind before but I forgot to include it on my present design.  I will definitely do it with my other boxes for the same reasons that you mentioned.  Thanks again.

I did manage to UL my avatar previously so I guess that it is possible for me to do it :-D  I just forgot how :roll:

gaucho10
« Last Edit: January 10, 2010, 09:12:43 am by gaucho10 »
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline Delmer

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2010, 01:26:56 pm »
Since I don't know any better- and since I'm new at this. :roll:
Is the hole in the center for feeding?
Do you put this on in the summer months only? or is it used year round?
Does your front porch have a 'door' or entrance too?
Do you put frames in there?

Thanks!

Danny

Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2010, 02:03:20 pm »
Danny,

"Is the hole in the center for feeding?"

The hole in the center is for ventilation, for feeding and for observation.

"Do you put this on in the summer months only? or is it used year round?"

I use it year round in conjunction with my screened bottom board to assist in ventilation.  In the warm weather I can still take a peek through the top if I want, I can still feed them if I want but most important it is for VENTILATION.

"Does your front porch have a 'door' or entrance too?"

The "front porch" only has a swing, a screen door and a cooler full of beer. :-D :evil: :-P
No, I'm just kidding!!!!!!!!
What I call a "front porch" is only a "way of expression".  It was just a joke.  It is really called an "alighting" board.  You have a larger version of an alighting board directly underneath many hive bottom boards.  It looks like a ramp.  Do the bees really need a board to alight themselves prior to flying out???  No.  They can fly in and out of the vent hole just as good as if they were flying into or out of a hole in a tree.  The only reason that I made them (porches) is because I was getting bored with this New England weather and I just needed something to do.  Plus its a conversation piece that you can brag about such as we are doing right now.  My so-called "porch" or alighting board is placed directly over the original upper "vent" hole and the bees can walk out onto it prior to flying off.  That roof over the alighting board also might help during fowl weather such as rain, wind or snow.
  
"Do you put frames in there?"

It just so happens that you can!!!!!  I believe that there was a previous post here somewhere suggesting that idea.  I was planning to cut out a rabbet on the top to accommodate frames but I forgot to do it.  This is my first box that is high enough to allow a frame to fit.  The next couple of Ventilated Inner Covers that I produce will possibly have a place to hang frames.  That idea comes in handy when you want to either hang some frames to feed honey or to hang brood frames that you wish to share with that particular hive.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 06:17:28 am by gaucho10 »
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline Delmer

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2010, 02:35:32 pm »
Thanks Gaucho!

I'm trying to figure out a way to observe the hive in the winter months.  Been really cold here- although probably not as cold as ya'll- and I'm real reluctant to take the lid off the hive.  This is my first go 'round and I'm trying to make plans for next winter.  I though about an acrylic hive body, I found where I can buy 3/4" thick plexiglass sheets on the internet-  but I'm not sure how much I'd be able to see, and in the summer it would probabley melt the wax.  There's an IT guy here that thinks Im crazy but I'm looking into a real small camara that I might be able to place in the hive after I close it up for the winter. 

Danny

a cold beer on the porch sounds good-  just might have to wait a few months 8-)

Offline Two Bees

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2010, 02:56:35 pm »
Now, if you could fit a BBQ on that porch somehow, you could have a party!
"Don't know what I'd do without that boy......but I'm sure willin' to give it a try!"
J.D. Clampett commenting about Jethro Bodine.

Offline annette

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2010, 06:39:20 pm »
Nice looking. So that attached box is the upper entrance with a cover for the rain?? 

Offline rdy-b

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2010, 08:02:35 pm »
How do the bees get to the brood-chamber-cant tell from pics -it looks like every thing is screened off -wonder if you could make multiple feeder holes say may be four so you could feed a gallon at time-i have seen people fill those box type ventilators with shavings and such what do you think about it-similar to warre hive- RDY-B

Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2010, 09:27:51 pm »
OK,

The Vented Inner Cover (VIC) is what you see in the picture above.  It sits just like a honey supper directly above the top brood chamber.

Picture this.....take out the regular inner cover and replace it with a VIC.  The VIC has a 4" hole in the center as seen in the picture.  That's how the bees get from the brood chamber into the VIC.  With my new design the bees are able to leave the VIC via the front vent hole which is identical to the vent hole of a regular inner cover (~~~3/8" x 2") ONLY the hole is now ABOVE the floor to the VIC as opposed to UNDER the VIC.  Not only can the bees leave the brood chamber via the VIC but so can the moisture.  The moisture also exits through the various small (1") screened holes on the side of the VIC.  The bees only need to guard the small 3/8" x 2" hole just as before only this time they are WITHIN the VIC as opposed to inside the brood chamber underneath the inner cover.

In other words the bees have to leave the VIC through the "porch screened door", around the swing, by the beer cooler and out into the yard. :-D







« Last Edit: January 10, 2010, 09:17:16 am by gaucho10 »
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2010, 09:42:08 pm »
Hopefully I can do this video UL.  Here goes...

[img width= height=]http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7093/beevideo1.mp4.th.jpg[/img]

This is a short video of one of my hives with a VIC and a 1/2 gal. bottle of honey that I am feeding right now (1/8/10).  As you can see the bees are at the top of the double brood chamber and they MIGHT have other food stores somewhere inside but they won't reach it because of the cold.  The bottle of honey is their food source.  They have not been taking too much the last two weeks so I am assuming that they are in a food area ( possibly frame #2,3,4.
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline rdy-b

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2010, 09:47:31 pm »
  AH yes now i see the vid makes it clear the pic looks like the three inch hole is screened-didnt see that in the vid -if you are feeding wont that block the three inch hole they use for acsess to the exit-RDY-B

Offline rdy-b

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2010, 09:56:33 pm »
Perhaps you just slide the jar to the side  :lol: seams to me that you are manly venting the cluster -perhaps if you cut a slot across the top bars -in the floor the bees could come and go with ease -and maybe it would help the venting of the hive as a whole -removing moisture from sides and so forth -think im geting the idea of what you are doing -RDY-B

Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2010, 10:07:24 pm »
rdy-b,

No.  The hole is slightly larger than the bottle top.  The 4" hole is NOT screened.  That is the area through which I feed the bees.  As you can see in the video I have the 1/2 gal. bottle upside down resting partly over the hole.  That is due to laziness.  Actually I have a metal frame that prevents the bottle from tipping and that I could put on top of the hole and the bottle will fit over the hole.  But I hardly ever use it.  In the other hives I just invert the bottle over the frames.  I could not do it to this hive because the bees were all over the top of the frames and I did not want to squash any bees.  The bottle cap cover is only partly perforated so that the honey flow is minimal.  On another note but same tune...My original VIC's are only 3" deep so that I need to place an empty medium box over the VIC to be able to insert the jar for feeding.  Initially I did make slider screens that go over the 4" hole in order to keep the bees from entering the VIC.  I don't recall which post it was but the question was "can you invert the glass jar over a screen and can the bees still suck the food out of the jar"?.  I believe it was MB who stated that "yes they can".  At that time the Vented Inner Cover was somewhat of a new thing and some folks thought that if the bees got into the VIC they would propolize it.  I found out that this is not the case.  NOT that it could not happen but that it most likely won't.  Before the bees decide to propolize the screened holes inside the box above their brood chamber they will probably start building comb onto the underside of the telescopic cover.  That won't happen if you keep tabs and check your bees on occasion.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2010, 09:20:41 am by gaucho10 »
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #14 on: January 08, 2010, 10:20:54 pm »
I missed one of your questions.  You asked if the glass botle will block the access inside the VIC.  The answer is no because the diameter of the bottle cover is slightly smaller than the hole opening.  Also...I keep saying 3" hole.  It is approximately 3".  It could be 4" or whatever size you make it.  You can make a 2" hole and place the bottle over the hole but it will block the air flow unless you drill several other holes.  You can screen them or you won't.  That's the neat thing about all this...at least on my part....I like to experiment.  So far my design works for me and if you think you can improve it then DO IT and LET US ALL know.  That is what this forum is all about.  Not to let you down but....just want to mention that some people do not believe in Ventilated Inner Covers OR Screened bottom Boards.  Others don't even use "bottoms"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline rdy-b

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #15 on: January 08, 2010, 10:29:06 pm »
   Always keep a open mind ;) after all its location location location any way you cut it :lol: -so i would also like to know about the floor is it flush or is there bee space- and is the top entance of the vic the only entrance or do they get another-RDY-B

Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #16 on: January 08, 2010, 10:55:36 pm »
rdy-b,

"so i would also like to know about the floor is it flush or is there bee space"

good question but hard to answer.  I will tell you why.  I happen to have equipment that I bought from several different suppliers.  I bought some medium boxes that carry the frames level with the top of the box.  I have some that the frames leave a 3/8" space.  And I also have some that were "home made" ( I won them at a raffle) that don't match anything else I have.  So to answer your question...allways buy from the same supplier or buy from a local woodworker/beekeeper or make your own.  If you can't make your own you can always place an order with a woodworker and possibly get a good deal.  Give him/her your measurements and you will keep all your equipment to match-size.  OK... now I will answer your question...Because I couldn't depend on size I just made all my boxes with a 3/8" gap between the bottom of the box and the bottom of the floor.  When I place the VIC over  a box that keeps the frames flush with the top of the box then I get a perfect 3/8" gap between levels.  When I place the VIC over a box whose frames are slightly lower (~1/8") the gap is bigger but so far I have not noticed anything out of whack.  During the winter months you don't have to worry about the bees propolizing  the space.

"is the top entrance of the vic the only entrance or do they get another"

The VIC hole could be considered a sole entrance, a sole exit or you could also have a bottom entrance.  In my case the VIC hole in front of the hive (3/8" x 2") is what I consider a vent/entrance/exit hole.  The bottom of the hive is the main entrance.  During the summer the bees utilize the bottom board as a main fly-by zone.  The top is usually guarded under strict supervision but not as well as our government's.  If you check into Michael Bush's home page you can read about upper entrances.  I believe that they are his favorite.  If you have not gone there yet you have to check it out.  That site will probably answer most of your questions.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 06:33:08 am by gaucho10 »
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

Offline rdy-b

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #17 on: January 08, 2010, 11:18:40 pm »
 At this time of year here in calia my bees set ready to go in to almond pollination -they valley FOG sometimes stays for weeks (it is here now ) and bees are rearing copious amounts of brood -these conditions make for alot of condensation in the hives -so moisture control is always on my mind thank you for the tips  :lol: RDY-B

Offline bassman1977

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #18 on: January 09, 2010, 10:03:55 am »
Gaucho...with jar feeding in the front entrance, it nearly always sets off robbing. Even with top feeders I see this happen often, unless of course I seal it up real well.  Do you notice this at all when feeding using this new VIC?  Not sure how many hives you have but even if I have one neighboring hive, the robbing is almost a 100% certainty.
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Offline gaucho10

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Re: Vented Inner Cover
« Reply #19 on: January 09, 2010, 10:21:47 am »
bassman1977,

There is no robbing because the jar is totally sealed from the outside of the hive EXEPT for the small upper entrance hole (3/8" x 2").  This is just the same setup as with a regular inner cover only it has a built-in box above it.  The guard bees will defend the entrance.  The other 1" round holes around the two sides and back side have been screened off so there is no access into the hive.  During the summer when the bees are producing honey you get the smell of the hive even if you are standing some distance away.  So if you are concerned that the upper vent holes are going to entice robbing then I don't agree.
My favorite comedy program used to be Glenn Beck--The only thing is that after I heard the same joke over and over again it became BOOOORING.....

People who have inspired me throughout my life---Pee-wee Herman, Adolph Hitler, George W. Bush, Glenn Beck.
Notice I did not say they were people who I admire !!!

 

anything