FSD 2" Boka

[ANTONY]

Yes IANDREW
will destille my last pkt of Turbo and right now iam making a mess in wifes kitchen doing the weet bix dance ...

[ANTONY]

Question
I am getting around 7.5 lts per min inlet to my 5 star Boka .. I am getting about 5 lts per min outlet back into my rain water tank. I guess the water is slowed by the coil in the head ?
My question is the reduction going to effect my distilling out put ?
Bear with me , Im pretty new to this . Thank You all
Cheers Antony

[TheRealMrMessy]

Been a hot minute since I ran the boka, but it is a fairly narrow cooling pipe diameter. Flow rate doesnt equal pressure, but 5 litres a minute should be plenty if well packed and cool enough water.

[ANTONY]

Cheers Mr messy
Just what i wanted to hear as I did not want to buy more pumps and fittings . Have a good day .Antony

[ANTONY]

Bit of a disappointment today .After following all the advice to the letter from all the posts , running it slowly heat turned down to 45-50% . 1 liter every 1 1/2 hrs (which is slow)it spiked to 90 C and I turned it off. Now it was my last packet of turbo Yeast as I have a WBAB bubbling away . I wonder if it stopped because its turbo or I dont have enough water pressure ,7 1/2 lts per min ?
It was a perfect 78c for 3 1/2 hrs then 90C I distilled 3 lts @ 90 %abv,Any Ideas why I did not get more volume
Cheers antony

[Dougly]

Hi all Dougly From Melbourne Here.
Well I,d Like to thank everyone that has posted on this forum. Amazing Stuff :D
I received boka which i,m going to call Chook. :teasing-neener:
Chook went to library and librarian said how can i help you. Chook replied, BOK BOK (Book Book). :))
I received boka a few days ago and opened it all up and my god its one solid piece of kit, thanks Andrew for the postage times much appreciated.
Did copper cleaning and vinegar run followed by steaming run.
Performed spirit run on turbo wash as sacraficial run, trying to learn.
Weather 24 dec 2025, 17 degrees C.at start 1030 hrs.
water coolant at 1.5 litres Per hour (Same as pure distill).
During run I found could could put index finger and thumb around RC just below the coil piping. when I increased flow to flat out (not Measured ) I found that I could move down finger and thumb about 40 to 50 mm further down before Burny Burny. so left it at 1.5 L/M for entire run. Trying to limit water as on mains.
I collected 12 jars and found that abv avg. was approx 92.5 % from spout @ approx 38 degrees. but @ approx 89% ABV corrected or thereabouts.
I played with different voltage 175 to 210 to 240 and adjusted flow rates from needle valve form drip drip, to drip drip dribble to a continuous flow
and everythiing in between.
I found that by opening needle valve to much reduced ABV, So drip drip dribble is best.
approx 100ml every 8 minutes is this about right ?
Got about 3.5 lts and now have open jars covered with towell for breathing, need to get the hang of these cuts and when finished into feints jar or kill weeds. not drinking this stuff anymore.
Got a couple of 25 lt TPW on the go. will have to wait until new year as i need pot still for stripping runs. will also eventually buy parrot and product condenser. looking forward to exciting times ahead. Again thanks to all that have posted and andrew for setting up forum.

[Buj]

Hi Dougly,

From my previous post...

After 45mins reflux at 78' I only have to open the outlet about 5 minutes (if it was a clock face) to start collecting at the drip drip dribble rate. Lately my average collection rate is about 250ml/18mins. I don't mind running slower though. I set timers through Google voice commands so I never cop an overflow. I get distracted easily.

You could use an IBC or a couple of 220lt Blue plastic drums, linked together with a couple of cheap tank outlets from Bunnings. Then just a submersible pump in one and return feed to other.

Tank Outlet

When I purchased the Boka from FSD, I also grabbed the complete 2" Pot Still. Didnt cost much more than the upgrade and I don't have to remove copper mesh from the Boka packed section.

[Dougly]

Hi Buj Thanks for the reply. :D
When I finish with cuts with turbo spirit run i will throw it all back into still and have another go,
Trying to get used to getting needle valve flow and temperature right , and will adjust the coolant to about 3 to 4 L/M. and see how that goes. ;-)
Will definetly buy pot stiil and product condenser. :D
I am thinking of ibc, but 2x 220 lts, MMM sounds good will look into that. thanks for the ideas

[Buj]

Hi Dougly,

I set my power controller between 130 - 145v after hitting 78° for the run, which gives me option of bumping it up towards the end of the run.
Any adjustments will take at least a minute or two to show change.

Once the needle valve is set I don't touch it for the rest of the run. I only adjust the power controller if needed.

[Dougly]

Hi Buj.
I did another run out of feints only 11 litres, plenty of head room ay. cos that all i got.
I ran the water supply again at 1.5 L/M also 2.5 L/M and flat out from mains water. over several jars each. ( still thinking of what you said with Tanks )
Really didn,t notice much of a difference in output abv.Only hotter at closer to top of coil.
must admit it has been rather cool in melbourne the last couple of days, might have something to do with it. Not Sure.
I have a 30 Litre boiler single 2000 watts. I will try a run on 130 to 145 volts as you suggest.
I had it on 200 volts most of the run. I also avg about 92 % abv after temp correction (output extremely warm ) is this about right or will it increase when I do spirit run from low wines.
thanks.
I will do another run the last one until i get a pot still from FSD. what wattage is your element/s.

[Buj]

Hi Dougly,

I have the same boiler. Full power until thermometer hits around 70°, if I catch it, and then down to 135-145v to maintain 78° for 45min reflux and then run.
I quickly shut off the needle valve after reflux and then adjusting slowly from there, usually in 1/8 increments. It takes a minute or 2 to see results.

My outputs were around 92% as well.

As for warm output I use a Boka Condenser to keep it cool, especially up here in QLD summers. I posted it up on page 14 of this thread.
I also keeps notes on all spirit runs, which I always look back on to compare different runs/volumes.

[Dougly]

Pot still.jpg

Hi Buj
I ordered pot still, product condenser and parrot, through andrew and again thanks andrew bought mon morning arrived wed arvo in melbourne, how is that for service. :obscene-birdiedoublered:
Tried PC and it works well, feel safe now as well.
Will be doing 3 stripping runs on TPW wash, will be awhile before i use boka again.
Have noted, what you say on previous post, will try those settings.
Also found that running PC with RC that requires a slightly faster flow of water so this week I,m going to source 2 or 3 olive barrels, and purchase a pump ( not sure which type at this stage ).
Did first stripping run today i found it quite easy, got 6 litres @ about 47 % ABV from a TPW wash 6 kg sugar 26.5 lts. ran till about 20% ABV ish.
Here is a pic of set up today Very happy

[Buj]

Hey Dougly,
Awesome mate. You'll make some great stuff with the 2 stills.

For my tank I use a 350w Ozito submersible pump from Bunnings.

Ozito Pump

It handles a 20m run from rain tank and feeds back to conserve water. Also plenty enough to run a FSD Neutralizer.

It stays permanently in the tank. It's tied off to some rope to keep it a foot off the bottom to avoid any leaves and such. That's in a 3000lt tank though.

I also use a valved Y-Piece where 1 side feeds the still and a short run, on the other side, also back into the tank. Apparently you don't want the pump running if the flow is cut off so if I need to turn off water to the still briefly I open the return side and close the still side.

2 way outlet

Thing I love about the Boka is I can do a small 5-10lt spirit run, if needed, compared to the Neutralizer which likes 40lt spirit runs, just depends on what low wines I have on hand.

When stripping I just have the water and power flat out.

Recently I bought a couple of the 220lt blue drums for $30 each locally. I gave them a good Gurney and let them air for a few days to get rid of the residue smell. Bit of vinegar helps. These were for grain storage for BWKO and food storage for Native Bird rehabilitation for injured wildlife. Can't help but see fermenters everytime I look at them though ;-)

[Dougly]

Hi All.
Thanks Bujj for reply much appreciated.
Got my hands on a purple waste water bin, to experiment with. before I buy bins. It has a 550 watt motor similar as ozito.
Visited the big green shed , got irrigation tee piece and manual valve. 13 mm .(will purchase one of those 2 way valves they seem the way to go).
plumbed eveything up, found return line from PC and RC return line very slow output. not sure as not a plumbers ahole. could be restrictive lines. or just because of RC, or is this just normal ?
I used all 13 mm fittings and hoses, also around 4 metres from still to pump. any way 41 degrees today I can,t cope so tomorrow another day. Have read that having extra relief hose for back pressure this is where I get confused Big time. :angry-banghead: :laughing-rolling:
are all your fittings 13 mm or may be 19mm ?
I agree having the smaller spirit runs in boka these tpw take forever compered to turbo wash next i,ll try TFFV.
I will also run strip run flat out without controller. again thanks for reply :mrgreen:

[Buj]

Hi Doug,

plumbed eveything up, found return line from PC and RC return line very slow output. not sure as not a plumbers ahole. could be restrictive lines. or just because of RC, or is this just normal ?

Outputs probably slower as the RC internal pipes are smaller. I've never had an issue with hot water output, even in summer. I've never measured output flow either.

All hoses from tank to still, and back, are just standard 12mm hoses from Bunnings. If I was using barrels then 13mm black irrigation tube just for barrel linking.

You don't want the Ozito pump running if hoses turned off. Might just be this model as it doesn't autp cut off.

[Dougly]

Water system.pdf

Hi all
Thanks for response Buj
Ran another strip run today went full boar got 5 lts @ aprox 50%. worked a treat easy. :))
Figured out my system for tanks with 550 watt motor , BUT as i will be going ozito route, things might change, i can change all the settings so i don,t restrict flow and prematurely wear motor out, thats why i added extra y piece, for motor/pump/strain relief.Hopefull their is a pdf that might explain system. well i got to change sleepers and eveything in garden bed ETC might have tanks set next week MAY BE ? :scared-eek:

[RobMichelle]

Hi Dougly,
I can’t seem to open your attachments could just be my skill level thou.
I have the pot still as well, I strip down to 30% in the pot saves having to water down from 50% to 40% to do spirit run and I try get whatever flavour from the wash.

[Buj]

Hi Doug,

Looking at your plan, reposting image below, the hot outputs from the RC & PC could utilise a standard Y piece connector and only one hose going back to the top of the 1st tank.

Screenshot_20260112_114918_Adobe Acrobat.jpg

Ive gotten away with just having cold in via the PC and then out to the RC input and then back to tank. Output back to tank isn't that warm/hot when I hold the hose. Having said that the weather here along the coast line has been cool this summer....touch wood ;-)

20250508_161359.jpg

I just noticed that I made an incorrect comment previously...

I quickly shut off the needle valve after reflux and then adjusting slowly from there, usually in 1/8 increments. It takes a minute or 2 to see results.

Thats related to my Neutralizer...which is a different setup :angry-banghead: :angry-banghead: :angry-banghead:

The Boka output needle valve is still adjusted in small increments though, for the drip drip dribble.

[ANTONY]

Hi
i dont know if its the right place to say YHANK YOUTO ALL THAT HAVE HELPED ME WITH MY bOKA 2 IN . So all is well here in my destilling world and its Have a great year to all.
ANTONY

[Dougly]

Hi All . thanks to Buj for posting water tanks Diagram for all to see. I can change system to suit will try yourj sytem Buj
Hi Antony i am still watching water, but that will change shortly. will fill you alll in when new tanks are workable.
I got myself 3 olive barrels, 220 lts each. $15 Bucks each. Gee wiz Buj if you use them as Fermenters That be some feat they are huge LMAO. :laughing-rolling:
Still rebuilding garden area to house tanks, Takes Time.
Will be off again to green shed to by fittings for tanks probably use hose fittings and hose to balance tanks out. will buy those tank outlets from bunings Thanks Buj.
Can I ask what people do with ozito pump as regards to position in olive barrels or just sit in on bottom of barrel, was thinking of reinforcing with a sheet of plastic or something or look at way to suspend just of the bottom if feasible. thinking pump abrazing bottom of barrel
Antony your correct the advice and help here is 2nd to None Love it.