Neutralizer in the shed

[Multipleg]

Thank you 5 Star for the excellent service.

Does everyone bother putting a valve in the PC path? My water recycles into an IBC through a submersible pump. The pressure is great.

I'm looking forward to learning to drive this beast.

[The Stig]

You are more than welcome my friend.
You already know my thoughts on the PC valve so let’s hear what others have to say
Cheers

[Multipleg]

Rather than start a series of threads, I'll keep my questions in one place.

Due the height of the full neutraliser set up I'll have to run it just outside the shed door. How sensitive are bubblers to wind, changing ambient temperature, etc? My column was pretty fussy about environmental changes. Worth insulating the packed section and or the Tees (except for the actual sight glasses)?

Cheers.

[RuddyCrazy]

Mate just cut a hole in the roof and fill in the void as this still is worth it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers Bryan

[The Stig]

:text-lol:

[WoodyD40]

Mate just cut a hole in the roof and fill in the void as this still is worth it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers Bryan

:text-+1:

[Multipleg]

Cutting a hole in the roof is unfortunately just not an option :)

[harold01]

looks like your digging a hole then

[Multipleg]

Not an option either. Have to run the full rig outside.

[The Stig]

Build a bigger shed ??? :laughing-rolling:

[Professor Green]

How much taller is your rig than your ceiling height?

If it's less than the height of a sight glass tee section, try running with just 4 plates and the packed section. I have a serious height restriction (2.4m) so I have to do that and also run with a blockhead rather than the reducer and elbows at the top. This gives me 5mm clearance. With this config I still manage to pull excellent neutral using a strip/spirit run strategy.

A blockhead is a tee section that is capped at the top and the condenser section hanging off the side.
You can see what I mean in the second picture in this post which is for a different type of still but the concept is the same: https://aussiedistiller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=11792&hilit=+blockhead#p205238

[Multipleg]

Thanks Prof. It would have to be 3 plates. There's no problem for me running it outside. It's still private and convenient for electric and water. I'm asking more about environmental influences like wind on the running of it. My VM column was very fussy about that sort of thing. I'm wondering if the neutralizer will be as well and, if so, would insulating the packed section and maybe even the Tees (as much as possible) help?

[RuddyCrazy]

Just how much distance are we talking here mate as the rabbit hole does need to be consulted here and maybe a submarine boiler may be needed :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

[B-Man]

It would a affect it. By how much who knows. Would depend on the wind and temps.
Run it and see. If it's too bad look at s doing something then?

[Multipleg]

Sacrificial run today. Constant friendly support from 5 Star. Took a lot of fiddling to find the balance of water and power but now I know the ballpark I expect that will only get quicker. I was definitely erring on the side of caution -- small tweak, wait a song or 2, small tweak, wait a song or two. I could have roughed it in much quicker but it's all good.

Early observations for those who are on the fence.

1/ The heads compression is real. The first 350ml were the strongest heads I've smelled and (just by smell, no tasting yet) cleaned up surprisingly quickly.

2/ Much easier to operate than expected.

3/ Yes, wind and ambient temperature changes influence the still but not enough to worry about.

3/Solar power is awesome. Most of the run was all solar.

4/ You don't need to wear a Liberty brand bib overall.

[harold01]

Multipleg
A quick tip for you, increase the size of your solar system and the whole run will be free

[Multipleg]

Total cloud cover in the morning. I've got a 6.6 or 6.8 system that taps out at 5 kWh. It was the biggest system I could put on when it was installed. 13 panels north facing and 6 panels east facing. If I knew then what I know now I'd've added 6 panels west facing to that set up.

I read this afternoon that Germany has balcony panels that are simply plug and play with their own inverters. You can have 2K panels and 800 watt inverter without involving electricians and permits and stuff. Plug into a regular outlet. No need for professional installation. They cut out when you start putting power into the grid. And they're not expensive. I'll be adding them when they come here.

[The Stig]

How did the sac run go today ?

[WoodyD40]

Sacrificial run today. Constant friendly support from 5 Star. Took a lot of fiddling to find the balance of water and power but now I know the ballpark I expect that will only get quicker. I was definitely erring on the side of caution -- small tweak, wait a song or 2, small tweak, wait a song or two. I could have roughed it in much quicker but it's all good.

Early observations for those who are on the fence.

1/ The heads compression is real. The first 350ml were the strongest heads I've smelled and (just by smell, no tasting yet) cleaned up surprisingly quickly.

2/ Much easier to operate than expected.

3/ Yes, wind and ambient temperature changes influence the still but not enough to worry about.

3/Solar power is awesome. Most of the run was all solar.

4/ You don't need to wear a Liberty brand bib overall.

That sounds like a carbon copy of my first run - lots of text help from Stig, and lots of little adjustments whilst learning how to dial it all in. :happy-partydance:
I still muck around with lots of little adjustments (cant help myself). :music-deathmetal: