2 stage pre-condenser

[tickle]

has anybody tried a 2 stage dephlem..delphiggy...pre-condenser? i'm working on one with 1 inlet and 2 outlets at different drain levels. the idea bieng the ability to use a taller more powerful condenser during start up and equalization, and to switch to a lower drain port, decreasing the condenser's ability, and allow better control during the run?
prob overkill I know...seen the posts about them bieng as short as 4" and working great, but the urge to oversize is ......strong

[JayD]

has anybody tried a 2 stage dephlem..delphiggy...pre-condenser? i'm working on one with 1 inlet and 2 outlets at different drain levels. the idea bieng the ability to use a taller more powerful condenser during start up and equalization, and to switch to a lower drain port, decreasing the condenser's ability, and allow better control during the run?
prob overkill I know...seen the posts about them bieng as short as 4" and working great, but the urge to oversize is ......strong

I am still learning but what you are describing to me...imo...is already acheived by the the amount of water flowing through the condensor and at the temperature it is while flowing. I think it is worth having a condensor cooler a little bigger than you need because to me its gives the extra control you are talking about. Remember tried and proven designs give you an easy build and the confidence it will work.

[tickle]

good point, very experienced builders here! this will be my first bubbler, so I'm using others builds and feed back (read:stealing their ideas) on many of the details. somthing that has been mentioned regarding a dephlag that is oversized is control issues. i'm guessing its kind of a flywheel effect; you cut your flow rate to bring it out of full reflux, and it takes time for the amount of water in the dephlag to stabilize, sometime at a lower reflux rate than intended. so you adjust the rate up a bit, but again, it takes time to stabilize, and this could lead to another adjustment, and so on....I hope to simplify this by bieng able to drain it approx 1/2 way, allowing for faster response times. i'll try to post a pic, its unfinished, and will showcase my lack of build skills for sure.

[Kimbo]

Gday Tickle,
That may have some merits.In my opinion, it is surprising how little the amount of water is needed to get full reflux, and how minute the adjustments will be on your valve to adjust your take off/ reflux rates.
I like your thinking BTW :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[tickle]

thanks Kimbo! it seems like it would be a simple option to give the best of both worlds, power and control. 'preciate the feed back. as an aside, i can't believe the amount of time it takes to build one of these things....i figured 2 of three sundays...

your avatar is my screensaver, wife thinks it sums me up!

[Kimbo]

Oooh Yeah! put away at least 30Hrs to build one of those, but by geez they're worth it ;-)

[tickle]

except for mac, 2-3 hours start to cleaning run! :handgestures-thumbupleft: me...longer to build than i've ever aged any product! time me with a friggin sun dial :violin:

just ordered a 3way ball valve, 1 direction for full condenser, the other to run it 1/2 full

[emptyglass]

All the best mate, I'm sure you will get it happen.
That things going to knock down all and sundry.

[MacStill]

looks good to me & I think the idea has a lot of merit.

Keep us posted please :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[tickle]

All the best mate, I'm sure you will get it happen.
That things going to knock down all and sundry.

thanks for the encouragement, away this weekend, but will post progress pics later

[bt1]

Hello tickle,

seems entirely logical now that I've seen it. Might pinch this one for my own build.

cheers
bt1

[tickle]

Hello tickle,

seems entirely logical now that I've seen it. Might pinch this one for my own build.

cheers
bt1

Go for it; credit this site for sharing ideas!

[MacStill]

Hey Tickle I'm just looking at your tubes through the condenser, are they flush on the top side of the end plate?

[tickle]

the top is cut flush, was able to use a swaging tool to slightly recess too them for drainage

[MacStill]

the top is cut flush, was able to use a swaging tool to slightly recess too them for drainage

Cool, wouldnt want to see you put it together without the tubes being flush :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[tickle]

if i understand correctly, its because of liquid pooling up on it? thats what i was afraid of, seems like it could cause smearing?

[MacStill]

if i understand correctly, its because of liquid pooling up on it? thats what i was afraid of, seems like it could cause smearing?

You are 100% correct :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[tickle]

finally had some time to work on it again! here is a fixed pic, still need to clean an polish

[Kimbo]

well done mate, keep us posted :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[tickle]

finally got this thing clamped together and threw some heat at it. was a bit disappointing, knocked back a bit less than i hoped for. closer inspection revealed vapor was just barreling through one of the tubes, 4 were ice cold ( i was running with no top on it so i could see its top, stick my fingers in it) not sure why yet...not too worried, will try it again tomorrow with some scrubbers in the tubes. :handgestures-thumbupleft: