keg still

[akrandy]

well after doing a BUNCH of reading on this forum i have decided to make a keg still. im going to buy the dual purpose tower that 40" tall from mile high distilleries then i went to lows to find a 1500w hot water heating eliminte and a spicket for draining when im done. if any one has some insight on my idea please let me know thanks

[just-a-sip]

1500W isn't going to be enough to get the job done you need 2 1500W elements or 1 larger element (say 4500W) you can use 2 sep circuits of just the one larger one... but you wont be able to drive a keg on a single 1500W element.

[akrandy]

ahhh good to know i will buy a 4500w thanks for the tip

[just-a-sip]

ahhh good to know i will buy a 4500w thanks for the tip

Just understand that if toyr running a larger watt element like that you will need to use a larger amp circuit. I use my dryer outlet at 220 VAC on a 24 amp braker.

[akrandy]

ahhh so by going with the 2 1500w your losing 1500w from the 4500w is that going to make a big differnce in the distilling or just take longer to heat up?

[just-a-sip]

ahhh so by going with the 2 1500w your losing 1500w from the 4500w is that going to make a big differnce in the distilling or just take longer to heat up?

Idont think your getting the point exactly. A single 1500 w element isnt large enough to run a still you woukd need at a minimum 2 elements hooked to 2 different circuits. ( not 2 outlets, but two completely different circuits each having 10 or 15 amo brakers. ) or you can have 1 element on a larger circuit like the only your stove or dryer would run on.

See its not so much the element. Itself as much as it is the power it draws to run it.

This can be difficult for someone to grasp just starting out without having a good amount of electrie theory. My sugfestion is to do more research on electrical heating element hook ups amd read the heating element. Control thread as well before you buy and build.

[Sungy]

Edit: ya beat me to it.

I think what he is referring to is what power you have available to you.
example
Dryer 230 volts x 19.5 amps = 4500 watts
Wall plug 120 volts x 12.5 amps = 1500 watts per element, and therefore the need for two wall plugs feed from different circuits in your electrical panel. ( this is more for the apartment dwellers )
Less power is going to take longer to heat up.

I run 5500 watt element at 240 volts = 23.5 amps and takes 25 min. to take water from 50'F to boiling at 212'F also using a 15.5 gallon keg . Then run at 16 amps for production. That's 4000 watts for production. Hope this helps

[just-a-sip]

Exaxtly sungy... im so bad at getting what i see in my head out in an organized instruction. Thanks for that help.

[Sungy]

no prob there...Im new to this to, so I understand how it is...
+1 on the heater element control threds
here is a few links to try...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3342
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=17383
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=26970

happy reading.

[akrandy]

yes thanks for the help im going to use the 4500w and plug it into my stove outlet

[just-a-sip]

yes thanks for the help im going to use the 4500w and plug it into my stove outlet

Just make sure u got yourself a good controller

[Coaster]

@ akrandy,

You are not going to be able to just plug a 220 volt 4500 watt element into your electric stove outlet. You are going to need to have a controller similar to a phase angle controller to manage the heat output of your 220 volt 4500 watt element.

Suggest visiting the New Distiller Reading Lounge and review the Phase Angle Control Modules thread for detailed information on building a PSR-25 based phase angle controller. There are numerous Forum Member who are using PSR-25 based phase angle controller to control their electric heater element. Refer to Forum Member MuleKicker Sun Feb 12, 2012 1:30PM posting for a simple detailed schematic drawing.

Regards,
Coaster