Birdmans epic adventure of creation.

[Birdman85]

Got a new toy on here from a fellow AD member. Finally got to the shed to put her together. Really excited to give her a run.

Snapchat-1386795273.jpg

[bluc]

Awesome. Vm above plates looks interesting you may need a valve before pc to control output...make sure top is vented if you add a valve :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[chipboy]

And one cup pee plate needs to be a down comer, do them on alternating sides on each plate, ie upside down mount..

looks good nice neat install.

[Birdman85]

Thanks Chipboy. I swapped the cups around and did a vodka run. Definitely need a SG dephlem and a blockhead. The vm coil was just too hard to control and I think I lost alot of vapour out the top.

I ended up capping the top and just running it in a pot mode.

Will be taking some copper to work this week and having a play off to the side when I get time. Hopefully can come up with something.

[chipboy]

You also need to manage power, the secret I found is to use low power and get all four plates loaded in reflux at the start, this is the best method I have found and ties up with what is quoted in this forum

[Birdman85]

Yeah I have a voltage controller. Running one element at about 65% was ideal, but using the vm I just don't think I could find a happy place. Kept going from full reflux to a slow drip. I couldn't really adjust the coil because I could smell the vapour loss at the top.
I'll make something this week because I'm keen to run the 100L of whiskey.

[chipboy]

Can I come to your place?

[RC Al]

How hot is the exit water of your condenser?
If its cold, slowing the rate down may help you
If its ouchies hot, you might need more water flow

Adding scrubbers to your coil may help too, but yours looks very tightly wound - how much clearance dose it have on the sides?

How far below the take off dose the coil extend? You haven't left much room for adjustment if it stops around the ferrule. Consider chopping 2" off the top and adding it as an extension spool under the head to give you more control.

[RC Al]

Opps your already onto the height issue, my idea is cheaper n faster if you have a couple of ferrules kicking around. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Birdman85]

Can I come to your place?

Everyone is welcome if they bring their own cola. I have the icemaker.

[Birdman85]

How hot is the exit water of your condenser?
If its cold, slowing the rate down may help you
If its ouchies hot, you might need more water flow

Adding scrubbers to your coil may help too, but yours looks very tightly wound - how much clearance dose it have on the sides?

How far below the take off dose the coil extend? You haven't left much room for adjustment if it stops around the ferrule. Consider chopping 2" off the top and adding it as an extension spool under the head to give you more control.

There's no issue with the condenser water. Still comes out cold. It's just as you said, if I life the coil up it doesn't give alot of knock down room before the goodies sneak out into the atmosphere.

I could always chuck something like a 2" sleeve over the top to extend it a little but then it won't go low enough to block off the PC hole.

I'll figure it out though. I have time... Just not the skills. Still struggling with my soldering.

[The Stig]

Can I say "I told you so"
Sorry but I couldnt help myself :-B

[RC Al]

Cold isn't necessarily the best, cold reflux dropping back into the plates/packing upsets the column equibirum (temperature/reflux ballance), next run try to slow it down so that its at least warm.

So your no solder solution currently is a short spool, a tee or a blingy sight glass under the condenser and chop the top a bit.

[Birdman85]

Can I say "I told you so"
Sorry but I couldnt help myself :-B

You can say all you like... Doesn't mean I'll listen.

Things have been tough for me these last few years. Covid has messed up a few REALLY high paying jobs and I've been in some dire financial hardship. I'm really just trying to keep my hobby going and learning what I can while I can. I know I'm going to hit hurdles. But us Aussies are battlers and I want to create a great spirit for myself by myself.

I'd be lost without the vast knowledge of you guys and I appreciate everything I've been helped with. I just have to keep pushing with what I have.

Here's to AD for a long time yet.

[indenial]

Birdman, I can't give you any advice with plated columns, but I did a bit of a search over at homedistiller forum. There are multiple users there, successfully using a CCVM dimroth style condenser, as the reflux condenser for a plated column.
It's surprising any vapour can make it's way past your condenser if it's cold??? I wonder if the reflux balance is trickier to find due to the ID change from 3" to 2" at the reflux condenser??? I'm out of my depth there.
I reckon a bit more perseverance and some sound advice from the brains trust here will get your setup over the line! Good luck :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Birdman85]

] Good luck :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thanks Indenial. I'm sure I'll figure it out. I'm in no great hurry... Sorta

[Birdman85]

So i did 2 stripping runs today of my Yellow label all grain mash.

My 2nd run was in the late arvo and quite a few deep (oops), it was taking so long to produce until i realised my condenser had a 5mm split at the ferrule and was vaping all my goodness all over the place...definitely didnt help my head with how much id already consumed.

So i have 3 options and i'd love feedback from you guys.

1- Local fabrication shop has a guy who is very experienced at copper tig welding. Have him repair the current condenser, which i might add already hasa small vapour leak from one of the homemade ferrules.

2- Get the local fab guru to tig the new 2" condenser that i couldnt get to soft or hard solder together with my shite skill levels.

3- Utilise the 1m of 4" copper tube i have to make a whole new pelican style pot still, condenser and all. In saying this...is it even possible/worth-while to make a 4" condenser running off a 50L keg double element boiler. This solution doesnt help though when i want to use the still in CCVM mode or run it refluxed with the plates in.

[RC Al]

I vote #2 - clean all the solder off first

#3 ain't gonna do anything different to what you have now, 4" makes no difference at that boiler size or power level for a pot still.

#1 lipstick on a pig? Also possibly may not be able to tig it because of the existing solder (ok a bit harsh, no offence meant to your skills, im just not a fan of the diy ferrules these days, i keep seeing posts like this, first damage from being dropped n your screwed. Like you, ive noticed vapour is best kept inside the column lols)

[Birdman85]

Thanks RC. I might take my new and old condensers to work a d give them a good clean up and then drop them both. Then I'll have a backup.