Self Draining Bubble Caps

by **dogbreath vodka** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 4:57 am

So it's 4am and the brain decides it's time to think about all kind of crap.
aaaahhhhhhh

In amongst all the problem solving the brain is doing at this obscene hour, comes this one.

Perforated plates - self drain
Valve plates - self drain
Bubble caps.....
Bubble caps.....

What if you drilled a couple of small holes in a bubble cap plate the size used in perforated plates.
Would that make it as effective AND self draining?

Thoughts?

DBV

by **Dominator** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:34 am

I have thought exactly the same thing DBV, and I don't see why it would not work. My first bubbler is going to have perf plates but I would like to eventually make bubble plates. You could drill a couple of hole in a plate and see how it reacts. If it causes problems, a dab of soft solder would fix it up in no time.

by **Sam.** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:42 pm

A 1mm hole in a plate will make no noticeable difference to operation but will allow it to drain when shut down :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **Kimbo** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:42 pm

Have a read of this :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **dogbreath vodka** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:47 pm

Thanks Gents

Kimbo I had read that thread....
Perhaps that's what got me thinking that a hole in the plate rather than the downcomer might work better.

Was thinking about a 1.5mm as per Mac's comment in that thread.

DBV

by **dogbreath vodka** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:56 pm

Well tonight I ran Steampunk again.
This time with five plates
Two of them have a single hole drilled in each
One with a 1.2mm and one with a 1.4mm hole drilled in it.
They both drain well

Had to change gas bottles and by the time I was finished changing over, both plates had half drained.
So it isn't an instant drain but I'd say within 15minutes the plates should be dry.
:handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Now not sure it affects the Abv or not
I'm getting a consistent 88%
Does that sound about right for five bubble caps?

DBV

by **bluess57** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:00 pm

dogbreathe vodka wrote:Now not sure it affects the Abv or not
I'm getting a consistent 88%
Does that sound about right for five bubble caps?

For 5 plates, I'm thinking on the low"ish" side @88%, but will also depend on the alcometer and how you read it, and how much reflux you have.

by **Dominator** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:06 pm

dogbreathe vodka wrote:Now not sure it affects the Abv or not
I'm getting a consistent 88%
Does that sound about right for five bubble caps?

bluess57 wrote:For 5 plates, I'm thinking on the low"ish" side @88%, but will also depend on the alcometer and how you read it, and how much reflux you have.

I would think different wash, reflux and heat input would have more effect on your ABV than a couple of 1.5mm holes.

by **dogbreath vodka** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:15 pm

Thanks Gents
This is only my second run and am still learning to run this beast.
Have used lowish heat and kept the temp at about the 78 though on my thermo it reads 77.
The output is about the thickness of a toothpick.
So I am thinking I'm close to the money.

Will give it another go even slower as soon as I have another wash up and ready.

At least I know the plates will drain now.
:handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

DBV