Variac to control temp in Air cooled Still
Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 1:55 pmHi guys I was wondering does anyone else use a variac to control the power to the heater element of the Air cooled stills. I have a small 4 and a bit liter one and it uses 700 Watts right through which I think is too much heat too quick.
So here is what I did, i got a regular power cable and used that to run the shaded pole induction fan at full mains voltage pressure 240 volts so no power control to the fan, it has it's own plug so that is easy with another standard power cable for it, then I use a 750 VA variac to adjust the voltage to the heating element so I then have full control of the heating power, I bring it up to temp at 700 Watts for 20 minutes, then drop the voltage to about 140 volts, the heating element has 81 Ohms resistance so with 140 volts divided by 81 gives 1.72 amps at 140 volts so 1.72 x 140 = 241 Watts, and it seems to put out better alcohol like that, it comes out cooler and slower, and I think i can see the phase changes ( cuts), also the cooling air with the full 700 Watts is about 50 degrees or more but with the lower power the cooling air is a lot cooler. I think this particular air cooled still is designed for no fuss water distilling, not for alcohol. It runs too hot for my liking with the full 700 Watts of heating power all through. I like to control my stuff, hands on way. As soon as I get a better still delivered and build another very big one i'll be set, I'm a boilermaker and have some equipment a TIG welding machine and stuff. But I am afflicted with bad back and neck problems so my progress into projects can be slow and stall at times unfortunately. I can't work so I must do something to keep my mind focused and engaged. And here I am, learning another skill to add to my growing list of things to learn how to do that I always wanted to learn but had no time. Now I have some time I wanna learn how to make good likker. :laughing-rolling:
Cheers
So here is what I did, i got a regular power cable and used that to run the shaded pole induction fan at full mains voltage pressure 240 volts so no power control to the fan, it has it's own plug so that is easy with another standard power cable for it, then I use a 750 VA variac to adjust the voltage to the heating element so I then have full control of the heating power, I bring it up to temp at 700 Watts for 20 minutes, then drop the voltage to about 140 volts, the heating element has 81 Ohms resistance so with 140 volts divided by 81 gives 1.72 amps at 140 volts so 1.72 x 140 = 241 Watts, and it seems to put out better alcohol like that, it comes out cooler and slower, and I think i can see the phase changes ( cuts), also the cooling air with the full 700 Watts is about 50 degrees or more but with the lower power the cooling air is a lot cooler. I think this particular air cooled still is designed for no fuss water distilling, not for alcohol. It runs too hot for my liking with the full 700 Watts of heating power all through. I like to control my stuff, hands on way. As soon as I get a better still delivered and build another very big one i'll be set, I'm a boilermaker and have some equipment a TIG welding machine and stuff. But I am afflicted with bad back and neck problems so my progress into projects can be slow and stall at times unfortunately. I can't work so I must do something to keep my mind focused and engaged. And here I am, learning another skill to add to my growing list of things to learn how to do that I always wanted to learn but had no time. Now I have some time I wanna learn how to make good likker. :laughing-rolling:
Cheers