 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/7/2012(UTC)
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I got a couple of old beer kegs given to me. The problem I see is there are two tap valves on these units along with a fill plug on the side (wooden plug ). The Tap valves are located 1 on the side bottom the other on the top but to the side of the dome cap or edge of the dome. I would think that building as a reflux the tower would act as a chimmny and pull from the tank. What do you guy's think? Should I weld a cap over the the side tap and Fill plug? 
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Rank: Guest
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Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
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Used to go through them models real regular but they started out full of Lonestar and wind up empty on each occasion. You sure them things aint got some collector value? They do not make em like that no more I dont think. The beaste need to set upright and make a tight connection on top. Could see the extra holes might help with cleaning if you could find some reliable mechanism to plug them up whilst in use. I am just totally bumfuzzled here. Now do know they axe me at BH what kinda keg I got? Sanke/Skanky is the latest. Maybe they got something to fit what you got. Keeps us informed thanks. If push comes to shove get a drunk welder to split it and make you a very kewlish charcoal grill.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/7/2012(UTC)
Posts: 5
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"I might just remove the top tap valve, wash it really good and use it as my fermenter. I'm at midbuild with a reflux, and have an old pot type now.
Thanks for the reply back, I've been reading here for a few months now and decided the jump on in here. I have already learned a lot from the reading and hope to learn even more.:)"
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Rank: Guest
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Well always mighty glad to see folks come out of the lurk mode. Think what has been established is we are all students and eager to learn new stuff. The know it alls hang out in a more rareified environment called Xxxyze##.org. Just guessing on some of this. Would be a big waste to use it for a fermenter in my book. Now if you into converting stuff would make a great boiling bucket most likely. Also good for boiling mudbugs..frying three or four turkeys at once etc. Go to HD and get you a gray Brute 20 gallon bucket for fermenting purposes. Best deal in town. I bought one so it bound to be right..lol. If you want the boiling bucket get some talented person to cut out the top with a plasma arc gizmo. Thats how I got mine done. Also makes a good recpetacle for long handled garden tools when the crawdads aint in season. The wooden ends go down. Take care.
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 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 217
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Does any of you heavy hitters have any experience with a valved reflux tower. In researching I have found that the column is always open to the ap mo sphere with the vapors leaving the column to an open top condersor. Does that work as well as the hype?????? Are vapors lost? Any help thanks. [ATTACH=CONFIG]471[/ATTACH] Valved Reflux with open top condensor... It appears that the vapors travel across the coils rather then traveling through them...... fatboylo attached the following image(s):  Valved reflux.jpg (9kb) downloaded 0 time(s).You cannot view/download attachments. Try to login or register.
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You looked at this one http://www.moonshine-still.com? Might give a little better notion of how they work. The one over there has a copper cap which looks like just sets loosely on the top of the column..with a hole in the top for a temp gauge. I figger a rubber bung work as good as the cap and bound to be cheaper. BH Rick said the needle valve deal works ok..popular with some commercial distilleries.. but do not come up with as pure end product as what the extractors they sell. Heard somebody say the needle valve models are fairly easy to turn into VM's (vapor management) which is supposed to be the cat's meow.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/14/2012(UTC)
Posts: 217
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Yes Sir thank you Mr. Big.......looks like you are looking at the same still I am, but check it out, you are correct on that cap at the top of the column with the therm, its not welded and just sits there. However, take a look at the condensor and the way this still flow...Scratching my friggin head.......The condensor is made of a 3" joint with 10 wraps of 1/4 tubing inside. No cap on top! The inlet water and outlet water travel inside the 1/4 tubing not the distillate. Appears to mt that the vapor exits the column and is allowed to rise in the cond and if I understand correctly the cold water coil condenses the vapor before it gets to the top of the 3" hole for a reflux??????? The 2 valves allow you to either send more back for reflux or to keep If you get time read that piece and give me your 2 cents worth......If I understand it right I might try and build one of these bad boys.......depending on what you think I might say F$%^&^ it! lmao.......Thanks Big!
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Rank: Guest
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There is a guy selling those things on E bay. Only difference I can tell is he makes the condenser shroud out of 2" and a little longer. He had them set up like an auction but if you wanted one right then it was 250 and supply your own keg. Had a great rep and guarantees going every whichaway. He even pay shipping back to him if you didnt like it etc. That 3" stuff is a booger to find and afford.lol. This is the one my goofy plumber is "supposed" to be building for me. Had a pal build one and say it worked fine. The plumber say it should work as advertised. Not sure of all the mechanical minded intricacies..lol. I am more talented to win beauty contests and stuff like that. PS Edit: Yeppers do believe the needle valves allow a person to reflux all they want and then flippy da switch to start collecting. Makes more sense to me than all them leaky water hoses snaking around in the rafters..lol.
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