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Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:52 am
by clones2
In process of building my first pot still and I have a question about the thumper.

First - for something around a 5 gallon pot - how big should the thumper be?

Second - This is what I dont 100% understand about the thumper. If it starts 50% of water... the initial incoming vapor condenses to create more liquid... Is there a chance that the thumper would ever fill up and overflow with liquid before the vapor starts flowing out of it into the condenser???

Yes I am a bit of a newb at this. :-)

Thanks.

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:56 am
by Bull Rider
Welcome Clones2:

I see this is your first post, what I'd suggest is that you get your pot still up and running. Learn it well, run it without a thumper until you're producing a product that's pleasing to you. Pot stills are pretty basic, but that's not to say that there isn't a considerable learning curve.

When you've achieved that level of skill, then move up to a thumper. You may like it, or you may prefer just the pot still. I've run a pot still dozens and dozens of times, and I've considered building a thumper. I have all of the components, but I'm content (for now) to run my current setup.


Bull.

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:18 am
by LWTCS
thumpers are often 1/2 to 1/3 the size of the primary boiler.

Yes there is a chance that that flooding can be an issue.

Typical thumper run only needs liquid enough to cover the inlet.

Upward turn lyne arm with a jacketed condenser can give you the self fill capability. Means more ABV.

Elevated thumper with return drain to the primary can illiminate the flooding issues.
Reflux condenser atop that,,, and you got yourself a tuneable thumper...

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:57 am
by clones2
Thanks for the advice.

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 3:07 pm
by staggerlee
Personally, I run a 16 gal. boiler with an 8 gal. thumper. I fill the thumper to just above the inlet and on average end up with the thumper being half full after 10-12 hour runs.

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 3:19 pm
by LWTCS
staggerlee wrote:I run a 16 gal. boiler with an 8 gal. thumper. I fill the thumper to just above the inlet and on average end up with the thumper being half full after 10-12 hour runs.
Kinda heat you run?

I'd shoot my self with a 10 or 12 hour run

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 3:24 pm
by Barney Fife
I'd shoot my self with a 10 or 12 hour run

Yeah, but he's talking about a 16 gallon still, LW. That said, I'd go nuts, too! Can't keep myself focused on anything for that long... ;)

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 3:44 pm
by staggerlee
Typically, about a 13-14 gal charge with propane. Slow enough just to get a pencil lead stream. It can definitely feel like an eternity at times.

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 4:15 pm
by LWTCS
Pencil lead sounds good.

Didn't mean to come across like an A-hole.
I do apologize.

I'm not typically charging with much more than 7-8 gallons..recon thats the difference.

Re: Thumper question

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:11 pm
by staggerlee
Hey man no worries, I didn't think you came across like an a-hole at all :lol: