 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/19/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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"I have an Essential Extractor II high capacity. It came with the ball valve set-up. I run it with the copper mesh packing.
I'm just getting started and have done 5 runs with the two piece column in reflux mode. When I run I keep the cooling water between 100 and 110. If it is lower, I have to run the reflux water at such a low rate that it is hard to control with the ball valve. I know that many have replaced the ball valve with a more accurate valve for this very reason. It strikes me that it would still be difficult to regulate because it's hard to know how much water is flowing through the reflux tubes. When I worked in labs we had these nifty inline flow indicators that gave a visual indication of flow. I've looked but can't find the cheap little dodads.
My concern about running the cooling hotter is that it effects the efficiency of the condenser. I think I am doing OK now as I get distillate coming off the still up to 90 abv at times. Other times it is lower, not sure if that is normal?
My thought is to buy another recirc pump and cooler and run the condenser water at 60-70 and my reflux water at 110-120.
Has anyone done this? Is there an optimal condenser temp? I recall reading somewhere that it was not bad to have it on the warm side.
Thanks,
Kevin"
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Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
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I have formed the habit of only giving the condenser enough water to where the distillate comes out coolish to the touch. Fortuantely I aint an injuneer so do not sweat the small stuff like measuring the temps of waste water etc. :)
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 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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i just use luke warm to the touch. Why is very high tech. I dont really remember why. 
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Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
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You got a much more precise controlling apparatus than me. Mine goes from burn your fingers to cool as a cucumber as soon as the slightest amount of water hits it.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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" Originally Posted by: bigwheel  You got a much more precise controlling apparatus than me. Mine goes from burn your fingers to cool as a cucumber as soon as the slightest amount of water hits it. where does your water supply come from? just wondering if some are cooler than others."
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/19/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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I'm using a recirculating pump in a cooler full of tap water.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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" Originally Posted by: nivekk59 I'm using a recirculating pump in a cooler full of tap water. Are you monitoring the water temp in the cooler?? Im fixin to set up a car radiator with a fan to recirculate my water. right now i use tap water whis is a constant 65 deg. F."
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/19/2012(UTC)
Posts: 8
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That's right, I'm monitoring the temp of the water in the cooler
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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" Originally Posted by: nivekk59 That's right, I'm monitoring the temp of the water in the cooler i dont think you can have any better control than that i guess"
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Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
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Well looks like a person could just stick their hand down in the water and see if it was hot or cold. What am I missing here?
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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" Originally Posted by: bigwheel Well looks like a person could just stick their hand down in the water and see if it was hot or cold. What am I missing here? Your idea of high tech is just too much "
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Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
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Well us simpletons tend to take the simplistic approach..:)
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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" Originally Posted by: bigwheel Well us simpletons tend to take the simplistic approach..:) Thats my line B.W.  "
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Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
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Woops..sorry on that patent infringement. Please dont call the lawyers. I will gladly cease and desist..lol.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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" Originally Posted by: bigwheel Woops..sorry on that patent infringement. Please dont call the lawyers. I will gladly cease and desist..lol. You and i need to get more sleep.  BTW Goog Mornin:)"
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Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
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Good morning. Yep my sleeping habits are crazy. I have always been a real light sleeper. Since retiring about a year ago I have devolved into the habit of trying to go to bed around 10 PM whilst the Warden falls asleep on the couch watching TV till usually around two AM at which point she hits the sheets. She always wakes me up during the process..and then promptly starts snoring real loud so I cant get back to sleep until she wakes up. Figgered I might as well play compooter while she sleeps and snores. Do this sound like a good plan?
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209
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" Originally Posted by: bigwheel Good morning. Yep my sleeping habits are crazy. I have always been a real light sleeper. Since retiring about a year ago I have devolved into the habit of trying to go to bed around 10 PM whilst the Warden falls asleep on the couch watching TV till usually around two AM at which point she hits the sheets. She always wakes me up during the process..and then promptly starts snoring real loud so I cant get back to sleep until she wakes up. Figgered I might as well play compooter while she sleeps and snores. Do this sound like a good plan? To retire is to suffer. I retired at 43 and fished till i was about 55. Now i try to do hobbys in doors to keep sane. OOPS 1 honda scooter now also I'm pushing 71"
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Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
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Well can tell your still going full speed ahead. Glad to hear your staying busy. Idle hands are the Devils Work Shoppe my Grandma always said. My standard reply to them who ask about the merits of retirement is...It's highly over rated but beats the *hit out of working..lol.
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