Hi - I am a proud new owner of a PSII and have done one sugar wash run and ended up with a 180 proof bottle of end product. I believe the low proof is due to what I call a burp while the unit is doing its thing. I am using an 1300W electric burner (modified to run hot continuously) and have packed the tower with copper according to the instructions. I tried using a defoamer (three drops in 3 gallons wash) on the current run but its still "Burps". The wash heats up nicely to 173 degrees and runs for about an hour steady - but then the temperature suddenly drops to about 145 briefly and a gush of product from the tower ends up in my carboy collector. The unit then stabilizes for a short time again. I have also experianced a tower rocking that I fixed by rubber banning the tower to my garage door channels. Help

I have not tried the chips - I have been reading about others with the same surging problem. I am going to pull the copper tomorrow and repack. I will also order the boiling chips - thanks for the tip.

"The chips will help with the rocking as well as pukeing when you do a full run. But with only 3 gal. and far into the run its definately a build up of refluxed vapor now liquid somewhere in the column where the packing is a bit too tight. Of course the pressure will build up till it all comes out at once. A sighn you have good reflux going on, but not a good thing to happen. You then have lost your equilibrium and for the next bit you will be getting a mix with tails in it. Normally you would do as everyone should do at the beggining of the run= go to total reflux for a period of time to gain eq. in the column. But in your case you would just create another vapor block. So, yes, loosen the copper coils. And insulate the column if you haven't already.

And welcome."

Thanks again to all of you - this new hobby will be so much eaiser to enjoy with the support of factory and great people like you all. This is now my 3rd semi-retirement hobby along with collecting carnival glass and owning an Alaskan fishing lodge.

"

I tried to buy my router controll at home depot--the sales guy said whats a router controll????? geee

Well any way i bought one on line. i dont think the dimmer switches around are heavy enough. i really dont know whats in a router controll.

BTW i purchased mine from AMAZON book website. I dont think its the best deal though

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_...keywords=router+controll

I think about 1/2 gallon of head space in the boiler with the boiling stones in it too should cover it--jus be sure to listen to the other guys. They have the experience. Im just into this for about one year."

OK finished a run today with much less of the burping - still some temperature fluctuations especially nearer the end. I insulated the tower and repacked the tower as suggested - thanks. I will order the router control soon and will add something in the boiler for the bubbles. I think I may be, without the router control, over powered (PSII) after the boiling starts. I have a 1300 W burner with no heat control and have bypassed the on/off cycling. -hmmmm I do have lots of salmon :)