"Hey folks I use a 1300W Waring hot plate with RSC on my boiler and have good luck with it so far. Most times I just bring my temp up quick then cut back. I'm looking for something that will get me rolling a bit faster and have good control once I EQ my column. I was looking at some immersion systems and found this unit http://www.milehidistill...h-thermostat-1500w-115v/ I can buy this local at my hometown Brew shop. I was looking to use 2 then shut one down once my column is in EQ has anyone used this device I prefer to use 110-120V system, but I do have a 220 line open if I absolutely have to go that route. rite now My current set up takes 1.5 - 2 hours to get up to temp for 5 gal of clean wash. I'm using an 8 gal stainless PSII boiler. I was using a copper 10 gal, the new stainless system seems to take longer to heat, as I could heat 5 gal of wash in the copper unit in 45min. I can cut the holes and weld in bulkheads in less then an hour so that will be easy and fast to convert.

I don't really have time to build a controller ATM. Turkey hunting is just around the corner and nothing is more Important in my life then smoking Mr. TOMMY Da Turkey. This bird has eluded me 3 seasons, But no more I have his travel routes down cold if he wont call in, I'll ambush hunt him at his dusting site.

Any help is much appreciated"

yeah I was thinking about that A work contact that uses the unit says it works good for his set up but he doesn't care if his unit cycles harshly. He also drinks his hearts with all the heads mixed in also I don't want the hassle was just wondering if it ran well enough that the cycle time was fast and wouldn't amount to more the 1-2 deg drop during off cycle. I remember way back when I first started I was using a 1 gallon unit on a 1000W plate that cycled very fast with no real hurtful drop off in temps during off cycle.
I guess it would just be best to build a controller for single 3k element gonna search the forum for what others have built will be faster then designing something of my own. any recommendations on a 110-120 set up ?

I agree, but just don't find any real ill effect from a deg or two when I'm running. That said I have used units with long cycle times and have seen 10+ deg on my head therm. those cycles were causing my unit to stop and start as the temp was dipping below vapor temps. I ended up scrapping that run adding what I had distilled to 50% of the backwash from the run and ran it a week later on a better plate and an RSC.

I decided I'm just going to build an SCR controller as I'm very familiar with SCR systems and work on them daily. I have to get to Home Depo tomorrow and see what they have in WH elements. Going to also look and see what Grangers has, most times they have better quality stuff and I'm all about using the best items I can find for a job. Thanx for your input Admin much appreciated. I'll bite the bullet this weekend and just get the thing made and installed.

Hey Brother I do use an RSC on the hotplate I'm using. I installed a heat sink to help dissipate heat. It just takes so long to for my new system to get up to temp. I still have a great run producing 94% last go. Once up to temp and in EQ I run as slow as I can. I have run a reflux system while it was hard cycling and it was a pain in the arse at the time I didn't understand what I was doing that was many, many years ago. My co-worker accepts whatever his still put out I strive for the best distillate I can produce. 90% of the time I neutral spirits. Though it works, I'm not real fond of the RSC I have to constantly adjust it. I know using SCR I can get much better control. I Have good C+ skills as I write code for my RC RX and TX systems would be nice to use Arduino or PIC to monitor ABV, Head temp, cooling temp, and such and then make adjustments as needed LOL. Who knows maybe one day.

I would like to get my new set up, up to temp in maybe an hour max, sooner if possible. I have a lot of hobbies so from the time I get home from work and showered I'm on the go doing something weekends are completely consumed with family time.