What is the estimated value and return on investment?
This is difficult to estimate. The primary reason for this is extremely few producers really know what their vacuum at the tap really is over the course of the season so it is difficult for them to know how much sap they are leaving in the trees. We do know from several research projects that for each additional inch (25.4 mm) of mercury vacuum there is about 5% more sap production. Some producers will see marked improvements and others will see less improvements depending primarily on the quality of their personnel and how much time they spend looking for leaks. With a vacuum monitoring system (any of the three systems I know about) will aid in finding which mainline has leaks and which mainlines have the lowest vacuum (So you don't spend time looking for and fixing a small leak while a fallen tree has severed a mainline.)
Thus if cost of labor is low and the ability of the laborers is high in detecting leaks, the return on investment is much lower than when either the cost of labor is high or the ability of the laborers is low. So, without a given scenario, or a series of scenarios, it is, in my opinion, impossible to answer this question.
Thus if cost of labor is low and the ability of the laborers is high in detecting leaks, the return on investment is much lower than when either the cost of labor is high or the ability of the laborers is low. So, without a given scenario, or a series of scenarios, it is, in my opinion, impossible to answer this question.
What are the setup and technical requirements?
The user needs to be familiar with using a personal computer using Windows 7 or 8. The base unit derives its power from the USB connection. The sensor units use two lithium AA cells. These will power the sensor unit for about 12 weeks. Alkaline cells are NOT recommended as they do not perform well at low temperatures. You can connection the base station to the Internet–ethernet or wireless (via an IPV6).
How often do you expect the batteries to need replacement? Any option for solar or direct power?
The lithium cells will need to be replaced in about 12 weeks. As the cells are AA size, one person, in the unlikely event you'd need to replace them, can carry all the cells for the entire system. Thus there is no option for solar or direct power.
How easy is it to install?
Again, this all depends on the sugarbush. A sugarbush that has little understory and the slope is near constant is easy as the line of sight is generally quite long and multiple paths are typically copious. A sugarbush that has a large amount of understory is difficult as radio propagation will be limited. A sugarbush with deep ravines and curves around a hill or mountain will also be more challenging. We provide a tool that aids in the installation by showing robust and marginal propagation paths as the system is deployed. It may be necessary to clear a radio frequency path through the understory that would be about 10 feet (3 meters) wide between radios.
What is the communication range between radios?
Communication range is highly dependent on the environment and the mounting of the radios. Over a level field with the radios mounted six feet (2 meters) above the field with the antennae normal to the field, a range of over 1300 feet (400 meters) can be expected. Mount the radios 30 feet (9 meters) above the field and you can expect a range of over 3200 feet (1000 meters.) Put trees and brush in the way and the range drops precipitously. Generally, if the antennae are properly aligned, if you can see the other radio, it will be able to communicate. Generally, the antenna is properly aligned when it is normal to the terrain.
What are the capacity, scalability and coverage range of your product?
Currently we are limited to 100 radios (potentially 400 sensors although a more real world actual number is 150 to 200 sensors. Assuming there are 350 taps on a mainline this would yield about 52,500 to 70,000 taps.) With about six months advance notice we can expand this to 400 radios (600 to 800 sensors or 210,000 to 280,000 taps.) You could have as few as a single radio on the system, but it wouldn't be cost effective.
In theory, under optimum conditions, you can get a coverage range of 32 kilometers. In actual practice in a sugarbush,expect a maximum path of about 21,000 feet (6400 meters.)
In theory, under optimum conditions, you can get a coverage range of 32 kilometers. In actual practice in a sugarbush,expect a maximum path of about 21,000 feet (6400 meters.)
What is the estimate of costs?
Per-unit
- USB base station (one required) US$300
- Vacuum Sensor Unit (one radio and four sensor ports) US$400
- Assumptions:
- 5,600 taps
- 350 taps per mainline
- 2 mainlines per Vacuum Sensor Unit
- US$1.20 per tap
- This is intended to be a self-installation and we do not provide installation services other than training in how to install. Widely variable depending on terrain and local labor cost. The system is designed to be installed by the producer.
- You always speak with an engineer. Two year warranty on parts and labor. If unsatisfied with the system after the first season of use, we will buy back the system.
What makes your product or solution stand-out?
Our product is much lighter in weight and volume. Our interface provides an aerial view of your sugarbush to precisely locate pipelines. Our monitors are simple to maintain. For instance, there are two quick release latches to gain access to the battery compartment for cell replacement and if you break a flare fitting you can easily replace it with standard readily available hardware. We have competitive pricing and superior service.
Do you have any base-setup costs (Eg. Do you provide consulting, a laptop, etc.)?
We spend a few hours training the producer's staff in how to deploy the system. The producer supplies their own laptop/PC as typically they already have them. We do not do consulting.
What is your expected (or experienced) range between devices? Do you offer larger or directional antennas?
Generally, if you can see between the radios, you can communicate. In some sugarbushes this can be many hundreds of feet and in some far less. Due to the requirements of Industry Canada we are prohibited from using directional antennae and are limited to using a an antenna with a gain of over 7 dB. The current antenna has a 5dB gain.