I searched the forums and found a bunch of topics about winter venting but not much on summer venting. I noticed when my bottom board was shut, the bees were fanning on the entrance, I slid the board open and propped the outer top up about half inch, its hard to explain but the top cover lip is still over the inner cover, I have screwed on handles on the brood box which I have a pebble wedged in between the handle and the telescoping lid. So you can't see the gap between the outer and inner covers. Any way they pretty much stopped fanning right away. It gets down to 70° fairenheight and highs are around 90. They are about 3/4 deep full. Is it easier for them to cool the hive or heat it with these temps?
newbie here too. What you've done...sounds good. make sure the rain doesnt blow in under the lid and soak the hive.
If you inner cover has a notch cut into the side all you have to do is slide the top forward to open the vent.
Slide the cover back to close it off.
Richard, I explained my setup wrong and said the inner was just below the top but actually the inner is below a box. I am still top feeding because I had a bad start thinking my package swarmed two, maybe three times this past spring. They are building strong and have one beautiful queen now though. Just want to help them build in numbers so they draw alot of comb. And if the temps are perfect, they can tend to brood instead of cooling.
build or buy one of these
http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/all_season_inner.pdf (http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/all_season_inner.pdf)
Richard and Danno, love both ideas and may build one with a closable notch. That way I can make it a top entrance only in the fall.
Thats all I use are the honey run apiaries top venting covers. They are great.
(http://i59.tinypic.com/sb3qd3.jpg)