Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Hi guys,

After running a cleaning batch through my new T500 it quickly became apparent that the water flow control is SUPER sensitive. Is there something I can do to make the water flow control a little bit less touchy, or is there a better type of water flow regulator that I can use?

Mick

You can get a regulator but all that will do is maitain a certain pressure, which is only good when the wife or kids turn the water on and their's a large drop in pressure which afects your micro adjustments.
Sorry to say but the only way to make it easier is get a smaller needle valve with a bigger knob.
But then most just put up with it :D

dont worry about the temp fluctuating, its the flow rate you want to watch. a few points in the temp changing wont matter, its the large numbers that make a difference

Mick, WT is right, i have the same prob with mine (as all T500 owners do)...you will learn to put up with it and know how much fluctuation really effects things..,mainly a PIA though...OR you will, eventually as many have, just build a VM or LM (or combo) yourself.(or pot if you r into dark spirit.)
Sadly, we find out all the right stuff after we have made all the wrong decisions...all a learning curve though...good luck.

Still spirits sell a water pump that regulates flow. Not sure the price. Google it.

Warrra, rumdid' nailed it, they sell the controller which only stabilises the change to water pressure within the line, ie. when a tap is turned on.
It wont help with the poxy needle valve, the unit is around 100 bucks - the demo is on utube. NOT WORTH IT

Thanks guys,

I saw the water controller that Still Spirits offers, but it looks like the main purpose is to balance the mains water pressure. On closer inspection it looks like it uses the same tine valve to control the actual flow into the still so I am guessing it will be just a fussy in terms of small adjustments :angry-banghead:

I think I might look for a replacement valve like this:

A ball valve will not give very good adjustment.

A gate valve would be better.

A needle valve would be best :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Sam. wrote:A ball valve will not give very good adjustment.

A gate valve would be better.

A needle valve would be best :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thanks Sam, you mean something like this? https://www.bunnings.com.au/kinetic-20mm-brass-gate-valve_p4790285

Yes that will be better than your ball valve :handgestures-thumbupleft:

That valve from Bunnings is a 3/4" , you should look for a 1/4"

isn't a gate valves action pretty much the same as a normal tap with a jump valve/ washer? :-B
yes the t500 controller is sensitive but it doesn't take much to get used to it.

:text-+1:
i ran much more water than the instructions that it didnt change much

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dv1fwjoU1QWM&ved=2ahUKEwiv-OSU_5_5AhW4-DgGHfROCpEQwqsBegQICxAB&usg=AOvVaw0SfTG3EuX5fu7Dd3FrE-G8

I decided to make a water flow regulator for my reflux still using George's directions.

I bought a side entry toilet cistern control from Bunnings and set in into a large bucket. Then placed an adapter fitting to put a garden hose connector to it.
I had a small pond pùmp from a hydroponics project which I put into the bucket and then added a cheap ball valve to adjust the water flow.

This provides constant water flow irrespective of what is happening in the house. Showers, dishwashers etc do not interrupt the mains pressure. This would be very useful in a property with a water tank pump to the house.

I would like to attach a pic but I'm not sure how.

When making a comment, scroll down and choose upload attachment, choose file and then add file.
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i know this is an old post that has been necro'd but those that do want hte information
alot of people put a peg over the needle valve control knob to make fine adjustments.

I ran my T500 with my water recirculator using a 25w magnetic pump and didn't have any issues at all controlling it.

2 points that should help.
1. Having a pump with less pressure than the town supply or house pump and constant supply makes it alot easier.
2. I also adapted everything to 13mm tube so there was less restrictions in the hose.