I just bought a solid element hotplate from this site. I was under the impression it was rated at 1000W. When I got it it actually says 1200W right on the bottom of it. I'll be using a 4 Gallon SS stockpot with a PDA-1 column on top. Anyone able to comment on whether this is more power than the PDA-1 can handle? What would you recommend in the way of a Variac transformer or the like to lower the power a bit? Is a dimmer switch rated for 1500W and 15 amps OK or am I asking for trouble?
Thanks in advance,
Ben

Ben.

Try it and see how it works. I bought one just like yourself and thought it
wasnt big enough for the job. It works just fine, just dont get in to much of
a hurry to distill. It will take about 2 1/2 hours for a 29 liter container to
start to product so just be patient.

Good luck
Jim

Ben, if the control dosen't work anymore, get a reostat and replace it. You should be able to wire it straight in to the heating element. Get a 20 amp light one and you'll be all set. I use a fish cooker for my still and it works great and uses very very little propane. The flame is about 1/4 to 1/2' to maintain 78'C. What I meant on cutting back was to cut the power slightly. the reostat will do that and shluld have no problems...jimbull

the PDA is designed to handle 1500W

i have a sutronics controller from radionics RS 346-592 it is great for experimenting with stills but is not cheap at about 50 euro/dollar. i use it when running stills at low power which are just cooled by the surrounding air, no water or fans!

mine also spat at 1500W, i had thought it was because i have a very narrow connection to my pot which was causing choking. if you contact Mike at www.amphora.com he may be of more help, he was talking of selling burst fired controllers on the site and may have some for sale even though they are not advertised

raison jack is very easy yet very powerfull.all it takes is 4# of raisons and about 8# of sugar,and lavlin champain yeast,just take the raisons and put in a stock pot whith about 2gal. of water, put the stock pot and raisons and water on the stove and boil for about five minutes, then let cool, then add 1 gal. water and heat not quite to boiling then add 4cups of suger per gal. let cool add 2gal. of water and add 4cups of suger,blend till totally dissolved,then take all liquid and add to your carboy, make sure that liquid is 75degrees or cooler then add 1 package of lavlin champain yeast. let ferment for one week then add 4cups of pure sugar syrup very slowly, then let ferment for two weeks then add 4cups of pure sugar syrup, let ferment for two more weeks, should start to slow down,if not let slow down, then let set for at least two weeks to clarify, then when it has stopped and clarified and is tatally clear in carboy use a racking cain to drain into two ltre bottles and let age for two weeks,preferably refigerated, then enjoy a very potent drink popularily drank in prison, thus the name ,prison juice, raison jack
this is very potent drink responsibly
thankyou for the intrust email me at ens9619972yahoo.com whith your comments brewmaster34

I found some of the same at http://onestopjerkyshop.com
Good prices too and the selection was great. They had fast service as well!

The United Qutomation power controller ,Burst fire regulator, ZVS-16DV, is available in the USA from Newark Electronic, 800-463-9275. Their part number is 46WX3972, and the cost is $82.33. It takes 11 days to import from England.

all you need is a motor controller from
w.w. grainger....less then $25....works great, i was having the same problem....thanks scott