Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

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nerdybrewer
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Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

I'd like to add a thumper, my current setup is a potstill head connected to a 15.5 gallon keg boiler.
I can get another 15.5 gallon keg locally to use as a thumper.
Has anyone done this and just used the 2" opening on the thumper keg and made some kind of connector that would take the incoming pipe from the boiler and the outgoing vapor from the keg to connect to whatever cooling being used?
I haven't seen any pictures of this exact setup so that's why I'm asking, if you have pics of a setup like this I'd love to see them.
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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MichiganCornhusker
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by MichiganCornhusker »

I searched around and copied a lot of people to come up with this, I'm very happy with it:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 48&start=0
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

MichiganCornhusker wrote:I searched around and copied a lot of people to come up with this, I'm very happy with it:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 48&start=0
Wow!
Thank you, that's a lot to digest but I'll take it a bit at a time.
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Yummyrum »

Hi Nerdy

This is my version . Not as compact as MCs but One of my main objectives was to keep the flame end as far away from the good stuff .

My. Version also allows all my existing vertical still risers and heads to be added in any configuration .
The extra clamps also ensure any alignment of the kegs on uneven surfaces . Downside... the coupling was a bit tricky but no more so than MCs .


http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 4#p7475122
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

I like it.
I'll most likely take some from you and some from MC's and make some up on my own.
Yummyrum wrote:Hi Nerdy

This is my version . Not as compact as MCs but One of my main objectives was to keep the flame end as far away from the good stuff .

My. Version also allows all my existing vertical still risers and heads to be added in any configuration .
The extra clamps also ensure any alignment of the kegs on uneven surfaces . Downside... the coupling was a bit tricky but no more so than MCs .


http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 4#p7475122" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by ShineRunner »

I copied MCH's setup and love it. I flipped it over and use the 2" as a drain and added a 4" which helps with loading grain slop. The drain helps cleanup go more smoothly.

I also went crazy on triclamps and it is very modular. I can use my rig as a plain pot still, pot with thumper, steam stripper (grain in thumper), steam corn cooker, and can also use it as a ccvm.

SR
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by RedwoodHillBilly »

ShineRunner wrote:I copied MCH's setup and love it. I flipped it over and use the 2" as a drain and added a 4" which helps with loading grain slop. The drain helps cleanup go more smoothly.

I also went crazy on triclamps and it is very modular. I can use my rig as a plain pot still, pot with thumper, steam stripper (grain in thumper), steam corn cooker, and can also use it as a ccvm.

SR
Right on, once you start stripping grain in the thumper, you'll never go back. No more trying to to press corn, or worrying about scorching rye.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

Got my keg.
Thing looks new, the guy bought it to haul artesian spring water to his home.
He got tired of humping all that after a while and has water delivered now so he no longer needs the keg.
$60 for a nearly new keg!
Now I have to get my plans nailed down and build.
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Oldvine Zin »

nerdybrewer wrote:Got my keg.
Thing looks new, the guy bought it to haul artesian spring water to his home.
He got tired of humping all that after a while and has water delivered now so he no longer needs the keg.
$60 for a nearly new keg!
Now I have to get my plans nailed down and build.
:thumbup:

OVZ
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by gungatim »

not a 2nd keg, but I made a thumper from my first still that was a ss milk jug. concept is the same pretty much.

you just make a head the same way you would a shotgun condenser, use large pipe with an inner pipe soldered to the Tee, vapor in the inner pipe down to the bottom of the thumper, vapor out the top of the outer pipe.

wish I had a better picture but this is all I got...I used unions so I can take it apart when needed. the condenser can be put on the still and eliminate the thumper if I ever want to.
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thump.JPG
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Blarney Stoned »

Her ya go !!!
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THUMPER CONNECTION.png
THUMPER CONNECTION.png (14.59 KiB) Viewed 3550 times
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

Blarney, that's a nice simple diagram!
I like simple, it's what my mind comprehends easiest. ;)
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Blarney Stoned »

Add this item as well as the Tee fitting of your choice and you're good to go. :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Easy-Moonshine- ... 1662160858" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

While my local Home Depot and Lowes still offer 2" copper pipe for exorbitant prices neither still offer any connectors larger than 1".
No elbows, no Tees, no anything.
Bumming me out, guess I have to shop online and not pay cash thus leaving a paper trail.
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Blarney Stoned »

No big deal.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Oldvine Zin »

nerdybrewer wrote:While my local Home Depot and Lowes still offer 2" copper pipe for exorbitant prices neither still offer any connectors larger than 1".
No elbows, no Tees, no anything.
Bumming me out, guess I have to shop online and not pay cash thus leaving a paper trail.
The Lowes near me has 2" fittings if you find yourself near 125th and 99


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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

Oldvine Zin wrote:
nerdybrewer wrote:While my local Home Depot and Lowes still offer 2" copper pipe for exorbitant prices neither still offer any connectors larger than 1".
No elbows, no Tees, no anything.
Bumming me out, guess I have to shop online and not pay cash thus leaving a paper trail.
The Lowes near me has 2" fittings if you find yourself near 125th and 99


OVZ
There's a thought, I could make a few tries at other stores near me and work my way over to your area if I strike out around here.
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

I'm a big fan of using what I've got as a rule so I've inventoried and came up with:

2 each 15.5 gallon SS kegs with 2" flanges, no valves.
1 each pot still head 2" dia by 24" tall with 30" liebig - has a 2" - 3/4" reducer on top that turns 90 deg to attach to the liebig.
1 each 3' length of 3/4" copper pipe
2 each 2" tri-clamps
2 each SS flanges
2 each 2" PTFE gaskets

I would like to use the 3/4" out from my boiler to my thumper via a 2" to 3/4" reducer then 3/4" over to the thumper.
I'd like to run 3/4" down into the bottom of the thumper.
I'd like to reuse my pot still head on the thumper then use the liebig to condense the vapor from the thumper.

The way I'm seeing it I'd need to put in a Tee so I can connect the liebig to the pot still head and reuse the 2" x 3/4" reducer at the top to bring in the 3/4" pipe to the bottom of the thumper.
I will need to buy some more 3/4" pipe.

I'd still need a 2"x2"x3/4" Tee to connect my liebig to the 2" riser and another 2"x3/4" reducer from the boiler to the 3/4" pipe to the thumper.

Here's an edit of Blarney's diagram, nearly the same but helps me visualize a little better.
thump1.jpg
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by MichiganCornhusker »

If you use a second T instead of a reducer at the top you can get a little more versatility out of your thumper.
I use a cork where I've indicated a cap, but either way it allows you to open up the thumper without taking it apart.

I use it to avoid vacuum problems at the end of a run when I shut down, and also as a fill port when I want to "shoot" the thumper with flavor after I clear heads. Just a thought.
image.jpeg
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

MichiganCornhusker wrote:If you use a second T instead of a reducer at the top you can get a little more versatility out of your thumper.
I use a cork where I've indicated a cap, but either way it allows you to open up the thumper without taking it apart.

I use it to avoid vacuum problems at the end of a run when I shut down, and also as a fill port when I want to "shoot" the thumper with flavor after I clear heads. Just a thought.
image.jpeg
MCH I do like the design, I'm concerned about making that 90 inside the Tee.
Would probably have to go down to 1/2" pipe to do that, correct?
What's the magic involved and getting that thing soldered inside the Tee?
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Blarney Stoned »

nerdybrewer wrote:
MichiganCornhusker wrote: What's the magic involved and getting that thing soldered inside the Tee?
Assemble/solder first on your bench then insert up and into the Tee.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by MichiganCornhusker »

The magic is a "street 90".

You can use a 3/4" 90 that has a shoulder for 3/4" pipe on one end and no shoulder on the other end.
That way the 90 actually fits into the 3/4" flange of the T without needing any pipe.
Does that make sense?
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

What piece should I use to make it so I can take it apart on the 3/4" pipe between the boiler and thumper?
A union? One at both ends?
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Yummyrum »

I know you are using 3/4" and not 2" like I did but see where the triclamps are . you can use 3/4" triclamps or Unions . This allows the keg and thumper to be aligned up or down relative to each other .But ....as I found I added another Tri-clamp ( union if that's your preference ) in the connection pipe will allow alignment of the kegs on uneven ground . I didn't understand the importance of this until it all started thumping and banging and I realized the stresses on the joints as my boiler stand isn't perfectly level .
Thumper idea.jpg
I would also suggest that you put a 2" tri-clamp on the top of the 2"tee .you can then stick your original Pot riser and head straight on instead of out the side .
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by gungatim »

^^ definitely need the adjustability of the unions or tri-clamp. you see my pic, sitting on uneven ground as well. I get it all together and then tighten it up to keep it all aligned.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

gungatim wrote:^^ definitely need the adjustability of the unions or tri-clamp. you see my pic, sitting on uneven ground as well. I get it all together and then tighten it up to keep it all aligned.
What type of unions did you use?
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by nerdybrewer »

Assembling pieces and pipes.
Got 10' of 3/4" type M and half dozen 3/4" unions and half doz. 3/4" 90 degree bends.
Also got more soldering supplies and a pipe cutter.
Getting ready for the new build!
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Brutal »

Here's an old thread that shows how I made mine. Post #2 shows the thumper set up.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49905

Sorry if this message doesn't work. Away on a trip with no computer.
Last edited by Brutal on Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Thinking of getting a 2nd keg for a thumper. Questions

Post by Yummyrum »

Good stuff Nerdy .
Take your time and enjoy the build ..... and stop and take some pics :D
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