 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/12/2012(UTC)
Posts: 804
Was thanked: 5 time(s) in 5 post(s)
|
"I finally had a chance to do a spirit run with the full column packed with copper mesh and the 1500w plate (modified) and a router speed controller (MLCS 9410). Up to this point it has been all stripping runs and a few spirit runs (pot mode, no copper).
I don't bother with any power control during stripping runs as it seems to defeat the purpose. In pot mode, with a 10% charge the power control lets me slow things down to prevent smearing.
When I did my reflux run with 12L 30% charge I ran full power until I took off the fores then cut in column cooling to knock everything down & cut in the power control at full scale and let it sit for about 30 minutes. When I was ready to start collecting (and backed off the column cooling) I noticed that as long as the power control was cut-in, even at full scale, I couldn't drive the column hard enough to collect anything. So full scale on the controller is NOT even close to 1500w. I guess that's the advantage of a hefty variac ... you can get full range.
In any case, with the rig as is, has anyone had any significant issues running the full 1500w when refluxing? Or do you back off the power to slow things down a bit. I wasn't sure if I was driving the column too hard. Regardless, the product seemed just fine, but I'm no expert.
One more question: How big of a difference does insulation make with respect to power input? Has anyone actually made any measurements?
Thanks,
--JB"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
|
Surely no ex-spurt but will share what I have learned..mostly on here and a bit of trial and error. Glad to hear you have rerouted past the internal thermostat dont jack with the heat anymore. Control temps with the water control mechanism. Start with everything wide open. When you want to reflux for a bit..turn the water down to the column. I held at 165 for an hour thinking maybe it was refluxing (still not sure on that) anyway when you get ready for it to puke hooch..cut back on the water to the column a bit more. It will start spurting in the mid 170s or least mine does. Toss out everything which comes out prior to that point. Easy peasy huh? PS EDIT: Now did not mean to imply running the water till the boiler gets up to temps. Sorry but think I said that..kick kick. I set my fancy remote temp gauge to start nagging at 180..that is when I make a mad dash to get all the water flowing. Sorry for any misconceptions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
