I will change my heating of my 100 L boiler from gas to electric.
I have only one port, would 5500 W be enough ?
How long would it take to heat up 80 L of wash ?
Ok so 5500 W should be enough power to run it. You probably will want to have a power controller like the ones BigPa builds because you may not want to run the full 5500w during the run. As far as heat-up time. It really depends on the efficiency of how well insulated your boiler is. But it would take around 1:00 hour to an 1:15 to heat 80 L from from 28C to 87C. Plus or minus depending on how much heat you bleed from the outside of your boiler.
Ok, thanks RDD. I live in the tropics, so the ambient temperature is around 40 C.
Also with gas it takes me that time, I don't use full power.
I was looking at the DIY contollers @ stilldragon, can't beat that price !
+1 on on Big Pa's controllers. 5500w on 50L takes around 45min starting at 26-28c. The dials so sensitive and much easier to control than gas and safer. If you could get 2 5500w and turn one off when you get to operating temp, it might speed up your process.
@nvnovrts said:
+1 on on Big Pa's controllers. 5500w on 50L takes around 45min starting at 26-28c. The dials so sensitive and much easier to control than gas and safer. If you could get 2 5500w and turn one off when you get to operating temp, it might speed up your process.
He is away for a while according his webside and will come back with some new stuff.
IMHO, the SD Basic controller kit is an excellent value! Adding a fan, ON/OFF and bypass switches, and meters for volt (and maybe amp) would give a deluxe setup. These also look like a good deal for a basic voltage regulator:
Yesterday I did my best distilling run ever. I was running a SD 1, 3 bubble plate with my new DIY controller.
I was able to take off @ 92.7 (+/- 0.2) during all the run, VERY stable.
2 things that I changed were, going electric isolating my boiler and column.
I still run in the half open and that isolation is helping a lot, besides the better fine tuning with electric.
Next time I will change my 1/2" needle valve with a needle valve with a rate of CV 0.30. This will allow my much greater control of my cooling water temp.
It is amazing how good my tails are separated/compressed now. I have more product now after cutting.
It took me 8 hours to finish, longer then normal. Next time I will take off at 0.5° less.
A very, very happy distiller and thanks for everybody here for helping me.
1 or 2 plates more and you should be able to boost your collection speed without compromising your purity.
90% is a real nice zone with a nice brite feel that also opens up nicely when diluted back down.
@Lloyd, just some leftovers form heat insulating my roof.
It squeezes a bit between the tri-clamps and the between the side glass and the column. Keeps in place with no aid.
@Mossca have you noticed any benefits to insulating your column i know you had troubles with wind once but i thought you sorted that out
i like the simple template which you have come up with also
It is in Spanish, but is is simple insulation, 10 mm thick. You can cut it easy with scissors.
@cooperville, now I can run my column even more stable. Now I run @ +/- 0.2°C max.
I never had such a good tails separation.
Next year I will build a 40M2 distillery in the back of my garden. Then I will be able to distill inside. My still is protected by 2 canases but you always have some air flowing.
Before, when it was cloudy with periods of sun, I had to adapt the cooling water when the sun was coming through.
@moscca, thanks for the info on the insulation, looks like something I will be doing soon. I went to prodexcr.com, they have a british flag on the upper right hand corner of the home page, so I was able to browse the site translated to english. I am hoping to find someone who carries the same/or similar product in the US to wrap my dash2 with.
Comments
What is your starting temp of the wash and what is the boiling point temp based on the % wash? You need to know both to calculate heat up time.
Starting temp is around 28 C, temperature on top of the boiler +/- 86-87 C.
Ok so 5500 W should be enough power to run it. You probably will want to have a power controller like the ones BigPa builds because you may not want to run the full 5500w during the run. As far as heat-up time. It really depends on the efficiency of how well insulated your boiler is. But it would take around 1:00 hour to an 1:15 to heat 80 L from from 28C to 87C. Plus or minus depending on how much heat you bleed from the outside of your boiler.
Ok, thanks RDD. I live in the tropics, so the ambient temperature is around 40 C. Also with gas it takes me that time, I don't use full power. I was looking at the DIY contollers @ stilldragon, can't beat that price !
M.
No problem. Glad I could help.
+1 on on Big Pa's controllers. 5500w on 50L takes around 45min starting at 26-28c. The dials so sensitive and much easier to control than gas and safer. If you could get 2 5500w and turn one off when you get to operating temp, it might speed up your process.
I wonder if somebody uses this type of dual temp controller.
Looks interesting that you change directly the temp of you wash.
He is away for a while according his webside and will come back with some new stuff.
Unfortunately health problems has caused him to retire. Please source your bigger controllers elsewhere.
Sorry to hear that, I read he was having eye surgery. Wish him all the best a good recovery !!
M.
sorry to hear that. he makes some quality controllers.
From what he's posted elsewhere sounds like he'll be back in the swing of things eventually.
StillDragon Australia & New Zealand - Your StillDragon® Distributor for Australia & New Zealand
If anyone needs help wiring a DIY kit, please PM me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty6eY9VUIgI
IMHO, the SD Basic controller kit is an excellent value! Adding a fan, ON/OFF and bypass switches, and meters for volt (and maybe amp) would give a deluxe setup. These also look like a good deal for a basic voltage regulator:
10000W 220v Adjust SCR Voltage Regulator Motor Speed control Dimmer Thermostat
Planning to buy this heater for my 100 L boiler, so I have also some copper in my wash. It is rated 208 W, is this a problem for 220 V ?
Thanks,
Rheem SP10872QL Element 15 1/16" 208V/6000W Copper Resistored LWD
I wouldn't use it with your rum. I recon it would corrode quickly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty6eY9VUIgI
Agreed,will not take long to get et up by the acids!
It is what you make it!
Ok, thanks guy's, I was already afraid for that.
Yesterday I did my best distilling run ever. I was running a SD 1, 3 bubble plate with my new DIY controller. I was able to take off @ 92.7 (+/- 0.2) during all the run, VERY stable. 2 things that I changed were, going electric isolating my boiler and column. I still run in the half open and that isolation is helping a lot, besides the better fine tuning with electric. Next time I will change my 1/2" needle valve with a needle valve with a rate of CV 0.30. This will allow my much greater control of my cooling water temp. It is amazing how good my tails are separated/compressed now. I have more product now after cutting. It took me 8 hours to finish, longer then normal. Next time I will take off at 0.5° less. A very, very happy distiller and thanks for everybody here for helping me.
M-
1 or 2 plates more and you should be able to boost your collection speed without compromising your purity. 90% is a real nice zone with a nice brite feel that also opens up nicely when diluted back down.
StillDragon North America - Your StillDragon® Distributor for North America
Electric Heat Calculator (XLS)
@moscca, it looks like you have developed a quick on / quick off insulating jacket for your bubble tees. Looks great!
Details please.
@Lloyd, just some leftovers form heat insulating my roof. It squeezes a bit between the tri-clamps and the between the side glass and the column. Keeps in place with no aid.
Takes no time to install/remove.
@moscca, can you tell me more about this material, who makes it, where did you get it and maybe cost . Thanks! CH
Useful calculator - Thanks :)
@Mossca have you noticed any benefits to insulating your column i know you had troubles with wind once but i thought you sorted that out i like the simple template which you have come up with also
Prodex AP10 (PDF)
It is in Spanish, but is is simple insulation, 10 mm thick. You can cut it easy with scissors.
@cooperville, now I can run my column even more stable. Now I run @ +/- 0.2°C max. I never had such a good tails separation.
Next year I will build a 40M2 distillery in the back of my garden. Then I will be able to distill inside. My still is protected by 2 canases but you always have some air flowing. Before, when it was cloudy with periods of sun, I had to adapt the cooling water when the sun was coming through.
@moscca, thanks for the info on the insulation, looks like something I will be doing soon. I went to prodexcr.com, they have a british flag on the upper right hand corner of the home page, so I was able to browse the site translated to english. I am hoping to find someone who carries the same/or similar product in the US to wrap my dash2 with.
Thanks @moscca, I haven't seen that material before but will be keeping an eye out for it.
Here is the product in the USA...