Thumper keg problem

[Thumpa]

Hey fellas I have got another question to throw out there for all u knowledgable blokes ^:)^ . I would really like some help with what ideas, reasons or solutions u have got For my problem. I have 50l keg boiler with a 1500watt weldless element,2" column and i run two thumpers ( the first thumper is 10l and the 2nd is 8l). The problem is my 2nd thumper keeps boiling out and my 1st thumper does drop a little in level. I charge my 1st thumper with 5l of wash and my 2nd with 4l.could any one please shed some light on this for me please? Sorry for the long winded explanation but wanted to try and make sure all info was there.thanks again in advance :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[MacStill]

Hey mate a few pics would help, especially of the vapour in/out tubes & any pics you took (if any) while building the thumpers. :think:

[kiwikeg]

Gday,
Are you sure the thumper is boiling dry? My guess is that it may be siphoning the liquid back into the boiler and first thumps as it cools.
Top marks for building a thumper :handgestures-thumbupleft: some pics would be great.

[Thumpa]

The thumpers are the stainless tanks on top of keg. The one on the left is the 10l and the one on the right is the 8l. I'm sorry I don't have any pics of the full build for the thumpers :angry-banghead: but I can explain good enough hopefully. 1" line reduced down from the 2" column goes into the 1st thumper,it goes all the way to the bottom with a slight v cut at base of pipe. 1/2" line out starts level with the top of the thumper and then goes into and down to the bottom of 8l thumper.Then the 1/2" line comes out level with top of the thumper to the worm. The 2nd thumper is the same pipe setup as the 10l thumper. just can't get my head around why the second 1 boils out. :think: help is greatly appreciated. :text-thankyoublue:

[Thumpa]

Hopefully this helps guys :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Frothwizard]

This is not the least bit informative but...


...That is so coooooooooool!!!!

[Thumpa]

Thanks mate wondered what people might think only just finished build and hadn't got any pictures posted till now.all thanks to the info from u guys on this site :text-thankyoublue:. I got a mac whisky wash down and a 50l corn mash down to but need to get this problem soughted so I can taste the efforts :dance:

[mymumsaidimcool]

when the second thumper boils out.. (im guessing you mean runs dry) how much is left in the primary ?
could it be that you need more than 4ltr of wash in the second thumper?

[Thumpa]

Yeah mate runs dry.yeah I'm not sure? I could try that. I was just hoping maybe some1 might have experienced this or even no the reason why it's happening.cheers for quick response mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[mymumsaidimcool]

cause the way im thinking about it now is..

the first thumper gets say 50% alc. 50% wash. the first thumper is then left with 50% of all vapour entering the thumper therefore what's taken out is almost completely replaced.

when the second thumper is then at temp, the alcohol coming through is much higher, maybe 80%... due to the second fermentation in the first thumper.
so what goes in is 80% and then what comes out is 90 % (just using figures for argument sake theyre most likley wrong) however, in the second thumper what you're getting is vapour coming in, but more than what's coming in going out. hence the boiling out.

my guess is also that some vapour in the second thumper is wash making up that last few percent... therefore running dry.


have you tried to use more in the second thumper? maybe switch the two around, using the 8L first and then the 10L second, allowing for more wash to be used in the second thumper..

could be totally wrong here but that's how im thinking about it at the moment...correct me if im wrong.

[mymumsaidimcool]

Yeah mate runs dry.yeah I'm not sure? I could try that. I was just hoping maybe some1 might have experienced this or even no the reason why it's happening.cheers for quick response mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

yeah i have not experienced this so take caution .. however that's how my head is thinking it through at the moment...

[zombie]

Not to appear a a complete d-ick but... are you SURE you haven't reversed the in/out on the second thumper?
It is almost impossible to boil out lessor ABV wash with higher ABV vapor. It can't happen unless you are running soooo hot you are super heating your boiler. Doubt that. The spent wash would Have to remain.

[Thumpa]

Hey guys thanks for all the responses will just try more wash let use no how I go thanks again fellas

[Thumpa]

Oh and sorry zombie yeah I haven't mixed up intake and outlet pipes, wish I had that would be easy fix :laughing-rolling: but thanks for suggestion. You can see why I'm asking the question because that's the way I think about it to, hence the reason I can't get me head round it.

[Thumpa]

Sorry guys had to remove pics just realized some numbers in the background that shouldn't be there incase they are watching :law-policered: . But here's another pic if thumpers.

[Yummyrum]

Thumpa ...know sweet f all about thumpers but I'm pretty sure most guys that use them would have the first thumper about 1/3 the volume of tje boiler ....not sure how this relates but what you have is only a fifth...had too much heads infussed Rum to think it through :laughing-rolling:

[MacStill]

How far off the bottom of the box is you vapour in tube ? :think:

Wish I could see inside it :cry:

[Thumpa]

Sits on the bottom mac still with slight v cut at base of pipe and then the outlet clamp is flush with top mate.

[Thumpa]

Thanks yummy rum and u are right I think my 1st one is about 13l anyway but u are most certainly right about size being 1/3 thanks mate

[Andy]

have you figured this one out yet? it was doing my head in