What's the secret to this feeder?

[Wes Sapp]

I just got a plastic pail feeder that when filled and turned upside down syrup just pours out. Is there a secret to creating a vacuum?

[Kathyp]

just a bit poor out if your lid is sealed.  i turn mine over a container and use the excess in the humming bird feeder.  it shouldn't be more than about a 1/2 cup if even that.  depends on how full you have it.

[Jerrymac]

Is there a picture of this pail feeder?

[Kathyp]

http://www.betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=267

here is the general idea.  mine are smaller.  i have 1 gallon size. 

[Wes Sapp]

There is a picture of the unit at Rossmans website. Because I dont make alot of post to this forum it won't let me post a link. Rossmans website is gabees.com its the only pail feeder they sell. As far as only a half cup pouring out. When I finally gave up and poured what was left into a container there was a little less than a gallon. I started with 2.5 gallons. I think it may make a good trash can for the bathroom.

[Kathyp]

i like the smaller one.  i'm guessing your lid was not on tight.  that one is a little different than mine, but same idea.  the only thing i don't like is that the lid is hard to get off.  i need a bucket lid opener and keep forgetting to buy one.

[Greg Peck]

You will always loose a little bit until you get a vacuum built up. I just tip it over away from the hive and wait until it stops dripping out. If it never stops dripping then your lid is not sealing correctly, check the seal.

A tip I found with using the pail feeder is to place two sticks or spacers of any kind on top of the frames then place the feeder on the sticks. your inner cover would then go above the feeder. My state inspector told me about this and it seems to work well. I have had no problems doing it this way. the bees "glue" it to the top of the frames wit some wax but it is easy to scrape the little bit of wax off when you are done feeding.


Click to enlarge!

[Ross]

Use a rubber mallet to set the lid.

[Wes Sapp]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try it again and make sure the lid is on tight.

[doak]

Place it upside down over a pan before putting on the hive. This lets out all the x-tra fluid before the displacement  starts to work. No matter how full it is "1/2" or 3/4 or full. flip it over QUICK'About 1/2 pint will come out with a gush then it will stop.
Like someone said make sure the lid is on tight.(yes) rubber mallet.
doak

[Wes Sapp]

I think I figured out the problem. I believe the plug in the lid was too loose to create a vacuum. I siliconed the plug in place and will try it again. Doak where do you live? I grew up in Forest Park.

[Greg Peck]

That probably was the problem. Mine have the screen melted right into the plastic. I had gotten some of the plugs and was going to use them but did not think that that got tight enough. So I cut/pulled the screen off and melted then over the hole with a soldering iron. Worked great.

[doak]

I was born in HOT-lanta. Moved to Morgan county ( Madison) in 42, less than a year old.
I live about 35 miles North of macon now.
Like I always say,Ga. bred and cornbread fed :)
Farm grown.
doak
PS. Still have kinfolk in Atlanta.