Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Reflux still design and discussion

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Doubleuj » Sat May 20, 2017 6:12 am

I reckon the stainless saddles will be ok :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Lowie » Sat May 20, 2017 7:07 pm

Peanut wrote:I have just recently purchased one of these stills and am now looking at making the changes you suggest. Mine has stainless and copper saddles, is it worth changing to the stainless scrubbers or am I better off leaving the scrubbers in? Is it worth adding extra copper ones?

Thanks for your help.


I've got a hybrid of copper and ceramic scrubbers...
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby freebeertomorrow » Wed May 31, 2017 1:33 pm

Hi,

I have packed my column as per the advice in this thread using 5 of the same size scrubbers.

My copper saddles jiggle around a little at the top, just wanted to know whether this is an issue? Do the copper saddles all need to be pushed and held tightly at the very top by the scrubbers?

Thanks
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Doubleuj » Wed May 31, 2017 2:43 pm

Mine rattled about too, so I'd say your all good
Definitely don't want to over pack the column too tight
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby freebeertomorrow » Wed May 31, 2017 4:11 pm

Doubleuj wrote:Mine rattled about too, so I'd say your all good
Definitely don't want to over pack the column too tight


Appreciate the reply Doubleuj
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby freebeertomorrow » Sun Jun 04, 2017 2:47 pm

I'm currently collecting fores as I type, the guide says to expect the first drop at around 40-45 degrees, my first drop was at 30.4 degrees and it is drip, drip, dripping at a consistent 30.8 degrees.

Any explanation for the significant difference in temperatures, am I doing something wrong?

I will reduce the water flow rate after I collect the fores and hopefully bring it up to around 40 degrees.

Hopefully the above isn't an issue and things are going ok, I did have the top water hose pop of initially soaking the roof and kitchen but a few hose clamps took care of that. :laughing-rolling:
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Doubleuj » Sun Jun 04, 2017 3:16 pm

All good mate ignore the temp. Those drips and the rate they're coming is what's important
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby freebeertomorrow » Sun Jun 04, 2017 3:18 pm

Thanks, I got a bit impatient and turned the water rate down a bit raising the temp to 33 degrees- its dripping a bit quicker now.
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby beaull » Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:58 am

Thank you for this thread, I have recently purchased a T500 and I am obviously not using it properly.
I don't get any drips until the temp shows 65-70C.
I will replace the ceramics with SS
I have also not been using the needle valve properly, apparently, setting the flow very low at the beginning.
Is there anything else I should know.
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby freebeertomorrow » Sun Jun 18, 2017 4:39 pm

Have a couple of the small hose clamps at the ready, it may save you from turning off your boiler and doing a trip to Bunnings. :laughing-rolling:
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Doubleuj » Sun Jun 18, 2017 4:45 pm

beaull wrote:Thank you for this thread, I have recently purchased a T500 and I am obviously not using it properly.
I don't get any drips until the temp shows 65-70C.
I will replace the ceramics with SS
I have also not been using the needle valve properly, apparently, setting the flow very low at the beginning.
Is there anything else I should know.

Sorry Beaull, I forgot to reply to your post.
Having your water on faster will create more reflux and keep your temp down
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Bobsyauncle » Sun Jun 18, 2017 5:29 pm

freebeertomorrow wrote:Have a couple of the small hose clamps at the ready, it may save you from turning off your boiler and doing a trip to Bunnings. :laughing-rolling:


:text-+1: lucky i had some cable ties in the shed for my first run haha
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby freebeertomorrow » Sun Jun 25, 2017 12:10 pm

2nd TPW run today, first drip at 30 degrees.

I'm 1 hour in and I've only collected around 120mls of fores - I think I'm running things a bit too slow?

I know the guide said to run slow but at around 32 degrees this is going to take forever. I've just raised the temp to 38 degrees and after I discard 150ml of fores I'll bring the temp up to around 40 aiming for a drip drip dribble.

Am I doing the right thing here? Would appreciate any input.

Cheers
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby nathanvdr84 » Sun Jun 25, 2017 5:52 pm

i have a question no so much about the post but more about the t500 cooling. i have made my own cooling condenser which works really good. what im wondering is does the t500 need the extra cooling water in the top of the collum? i want to take it out and make a new top for the collum and not have to run the cooling in the top. would make it also alot easier for cleaning and replacing the ss scrubbers as that cooling pipe i want to remove runs down the inside of the collum.

any info would be much appreciated thanks in advance
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Doubleuj » Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:46 pm

It'd just be a pot still with out the condenser in the top of the column. Many have tried to modify the t500, and apart from changing the plastic top to a copper one, none have been successful imo.
Build a dedicated pot still, they're the most basic of stills and won't cost you more than around $100 max. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Doubleuj » Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:47 pm

freebeertomorrow wrote:2nd TPW run today, first drip at 30 degrees.

I'm 1 hour in and I've only collected around 120mls of fores - I think I'm running things a bit too slow?

I know the guide said to run slow but at around 32 degrees this is going to take forever. I've just raised the temp to 38 degrees and after I discard 150ml of fores I'll bring the temp up to around 40 aiming for a drip drip dribble.

Am I doing the right thing here? Would appreciate any input.

Cheers

How'd you end up?
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby nathanvdr84 » Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:06 pm

Doubleuj wrote:It'd just be a pot still with out the condenser in the top of the column. Many have tried to modify the t500, and apart from changing the plastic top to a copper one, none have been successful imo.
Build a dedicated pot still, they're the most basic of stills and won't cost you more than around $100 max. :handgestures-thumbupleft:



I'm trying to upload an image of what I want to build..... It keeps saying the file is to big
Last edited by Doubleuj on Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Fixed quote
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Doubleuj » Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:13 pm

Pic must be less than 1mb, if you're on a smart phone email it to yourself or screenshot and re save
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby nathanvdr84 » Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:44 pm

i think i got it to work lol
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Sam. » Sun Jun 25, 2017 8:01 pm

You will find better designs here in our pot still section.

i don't like the dramatic decrease in diameter well before the Product Condesnser.

I bet this thing would sound like a freight train huffing 8-}
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