Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Gday all
Running my 4" 4 perf plated still with a tpw all going well just about to switch jars to 2nd head collection and notice top 2 plates drying up and only real action was on 2nd plate from the bottom. Put it back into full reflux and let plates load up equally again. I can't think of anything that would cause this. No leaks are present wash has good alc content sg 1085 finished at 1.00.

In the absence of leaks either to the outside of the still or down passed the plates inside the column then it's Not enough reflux, either not enough heat or not enough flow through the rc.

Mine does this if I don't have enough power when I am taking off spirit to sustain the refluxing.

Unfortunately i don't have a power controller so its either 2 2400 watt elements or 1

:text-+1: on what coffee said.

Should i use the 2 elements and leave the def fully open and use the extra power to push through

I think that would be too much. You could try I guess?

What's your output rate?

Are you running a packed section? If so is it packed too tight stopping reflux from getting back down?

Well I've got the 2 on and its got a nice steady rate plates are equal take off is approx 100ml per 2 min which looking at it is a bit too fast

May be there is a small blockage in the def that is slowing the flow

800mm packed section not too tight. Im thinking after this run a pull apart and check the def flow

What type of valve are you using to control RC cooling flow? If you're using a ball valve you might not be getting the flow slow enough. If you're using a gate valve maybe you need a needle valve to be able to fine tune the flow. This is assuming it's a lack of reflux, like has already been said.

brisvalleymoonshiner wrote:May be there is a small blockage in the def that is slowing the flow

I doubt this is the problem. If you're able to get full reflux then your RC isn't the problem.

Just a 3 way hose connection 1 goes to the def and the other goes to the pc. Adjust the flow via neddle valve

The problem is my def is not holding full reflux just touched it and its as hot as the packed section so its got to be a flow problem

5star ones are an good option
These are a cheaper option for sub $25 on the auction sites, mine seems ok with a 900w element

RC Al wrote:5star ones are an good option
These are a cheaper option for sub $25 on the auction sites, mine seems ok with a 900w element

Had 1 of those and it shit itself would rather spend the xtra and get the kegland brand from 5star

brisvalleymoonshiner wrote:Well I've got the 2 on and its got a nice steady rate plates are equal take off is approx 100ml per 2 min which looking at it is a bit too fast

I think this take off rate is a little too fast. You need to maintain a flow back down the column from the RC to keep the plates flooded.

brisvalleymoonshiner wrote:The problem is my def is not holding full reflux just touched it and its as hot as the packed section so its got to be a flow problem

Is it able to knock back all vapour so there isn't anything coming out of the PC? And is this with one element or two?

Is your boiler insulated? If not, and you can't get enough reflux with one element, try wrapping an old blanket around your boiler.

It normally does hold reflux on 1 element and the boiler isn't insulated shouldn't need it in this humid se qld weather. I just find it weird that it was as hot as the packed section to touch. Isn't it supposed to be cool to knock back the vapour. I'm gonna check the def flow and also the hoses and valves. It has to lie in there somewhere