Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Just wondering if its normal for the T500 to have a constant stream of air bubbles coming out of the (water) outlet pipe. Doesn't seem to affect temps etc but it would seem to indicate a leak somewhere? Should be impossible being under positive pressure. Just dont get why it does it. Cheers Jim.

it happens when the reflux water flow is really low. its common, not a leak. Well not in my case anyway

Yeah I thought it'd be non-issue. Does the job anyway! Thanks.

Jimbo wrote:Just wondering if its normal for the T500 to have a constant stream of air bubbles coming out of the (water) outlet pipe. Doesn't seem to affect temps etc but it would seem to indicate a leak somewhere? Should be impossible being under positive pressure. Just dont get why it does it. Cheers Jim.

Google cavitation

P3T3rPan wrote:

Jimbo wrote:Just wondering if its normal for the T500 to have a constant stream of air bubbles coming out of the (water) outlet pipe. Doesn't seem to affect temps etc but it would seem to indicate a leak somewhere? Should be impossible being under positive pressure. Just dont get why it does it. Cheers Jim.

Google cavitation

I see. Learn something new every day!

I notice a lot of people talk about their T500 leaking when they wash it out, or even during operation. Should I be concerned (re pressure) if my condenser DOESN'T leak when I go to wash it out. People have said they are vented at the top but I can fill mine up to the top (upside down) and not even a drop. :?

It will eventually leak. Trust me ;-)
They're not supposed to leak from the top of the column, but we got wait we paid for when we didn't know any better.
Try and keep your output temp low and it will last longer :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Ive just pulled mine completely apart the other night. If you like i can take a photo of all the internals in their approximate spot so you can really see what they are made out of although my coil has been bent to make flanges now though.
Some parts are made out of plastic, silicon and the bottom of the coil it looks like brass but i cant be sure, rummy might be able to confirm this for me as he did the same to his T500.

Im concerned about these rigs after having pulled one apart. Im surprised it wasn't leaking in more than 3 places :laughing-rolling:

Or more :wtf:

Righto I will def be keeping the temps down then. I typically run at 55-57 till it slows then I try and hover at 60. Knowing that top was plastic I wasn't game to let it go more than a few points over 60. Some people say up to 65 is all good, but that IS plastic and it DOES melt if it gets too hot lol. Can anyone tell me what the head temp is when outlet is at 60 and 65? Mine doesn't have the upper temp gauge. Good to know it won't explode and disfigure me for life haha o:-) :)) :laughing-rolling:

WTDist I've been looking at your plans and stuff to do with modding your T500, looks like a big job! Following your progress with it though and if its a definate improvement then mine might have to get sawn up too if it starts leaking and carrying on haha.

WTDist wrote:Ive just pulled mine completely apart the other night. If you like i can take a photo of all the internals in their approximate spot so you can really see what they are made out of although my coil has been bent to make flanges now though.
Some parts are made out of plastic, silicon and the bottom of the coil it looks like brass but i cant be sure, rummy might be able to confirm this for me as he did the same to his T500.

Im concerned about these rigs after having pulled one apart. Im surprised it wasn't leaking in more than 3 places :laughing-rolling:

Or more :wtf:

Lots of pics please. I for one would love to see inside

Ill post them up later when i get a chance.
The coil wont be in it though but its 1/4" that starts strait from the top then has 3 turns at about an 1" diameter for a length of maybe 3" then straight down to the outlet part about 150mm from bottom of still. i think the bottom is brass but not sure. ill have a pic of it anyway but its all bent up

not much to it as you can see. i scratched the silicon of the inside and a little of black on the outside of the column

the water out side, also has the column going in a tad loosing diameter slightly

water in and bottom of condenser

top plastic cap with what looks like rubber seal 8-}

last pic next of what i think is brass?

the 1/4" pipe is copper and i think the fitting may be brass? this is in the column when distilling always.


Can anyone clarify is the T500 Still Spirits manufacturer are using brass?

wouldn't that be funny, silicon from a tube to seal nuts n bolts, plastic, rubber and brass :scared-eek:
All for a non comfy expensive price :laughing-rolling:
And their filters have these plastic seals that go around the carbon filter, i looked it up. Its the same plastic as plastic shopping bags :wtf:


I paid $750 for this kit :violence-smack:

Hope this helps any T500 owners and potential future owners

Yep im 99%sure its brass

Its funny, the 1/4" pipe joining onto the brass was hit with steel wool but its still filthy :laughing-rolling:
Citric acid cleaned it up on the other side but it took over a day. Thats 2 years of a T500 use for ya, i think this is what was making my spirit taste dirty. Sure smells :o

Looks like brass to this plumber

Far out, they're worse than I thought :angry-banghead:

MacStill wrote:Far out, they're worse than I thought :angry-banghead:

That's what i thought. I guess they didn't expect a buyer to pull it apart and have a look 8-}

I'm glad I've stopped using mine although I wonder if the copper "artisinal" ones are any different.

Cheers,
Prof. Green