Search found 23 matches

by Cong
Tue Aug 16, 2011 5:09 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Packing length
Replies: 7
Views: 1249

Re: Packing length

I unpacked and cut the strips to about 1 metre or so. The packing was about twice that. No wonder it was protesting. I also learned that the temperature likes to stabilise around 77.5 whereas I was aiming for 78.5 Still experimenting with driving it. Will also try upping the element from 1380 watt t...
by Cong
Sat Aug 13, 2011 5:22 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Packing length
Replies: 7
Views: 1249

Re: Packing length

Thanks Rad but I was actually talking about the length to roll out and cut before rolling it into a plug to fit into a 50mm pipe not the overall packed length.

cheers
by Cong
Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:51 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Packing length
Replies: 7
Views: 1249

Re: Packing length

seems from what I have gleaned that about 1 metre should be reasonable for a 50 mm OD pipe. Please correct me if people have other ideas

cheers
by Cong
Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:38 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Packing length
Replies: 7
Views: 1249

Re: Packing length

Thanks Rad, I can still breathe through it but it is hard to keep at a stable temperature. I thought that there may be some rule of thumb as to length. When I initially fired it up it flooded, I removed and put through cold water started again. No flooding choking but temerature rose up too far and ...
by Cong
Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:54 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Packing length
Replies: 7
Views: 1249

Packing length

I have just finished a 2" Boka build and seemed to have stuffed up the packing, by packing too tight. Using structured mesh what length should I cut it before rolling it up. I have found differing information from 1.2 metres to 10 -12 feet. Could someone give me the drill before I stuff it up a...
by Cong
Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:41 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

Thanks Kiwi, An interesting excercise. Incidently I used 48 hour turbo halved with 6 KG sugar in each brewed out to 990, there didn't seem to be any real defined cut over from heads that I could tell. Originally took out about 1.7 litres heads with still no defined cut over so I put about 600 ml bac...
by Cong
Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:40 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

With the extra power were you still pulling 90%?
by Cong
Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:40 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

I did think about that but knowing my luck, I would have shut it down just before it was finished. So I just waited and waited :|
by Cong
Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:33 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

Used a portable hotplate 1500 watt. Boiler sat on nicely. There is a tiny gap between the hotplate and base of the boiler because of the rim on the boiler. Don't think I'll strip and run 3 again unless I can get some speed to the spirit run, which I assume will improve with a decent column. It is a ...
by Cong
Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:10 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

It looks like the extra heat worked a treat, stripping is at a much more acceptable rate now. Couple of hours after heat up and of course heat up time is greatly improved. Stripped 3 x 25 L washes, got around 18 litres @ approx. 60 %. Ran the spirit run, adding approx. 6 litres hot water to cover th...
by Cong
Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:11 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

Thanks Kiwi,

I guess just suck it and see, but from what I conclude here is that more heat will definately help with a stripping run and most likely is a good thing.

Am trying to get together a VM for spirits runs.

cheers

Cong
by Cong
Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:44 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

If I swap it out to say 2KW how would this go with a final run?

I have access to a hotplate that I can run in conjunction of about 1KW taking to a total of 2.3 KW.
by Cong
Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:14 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

I guess the question I was asking was that apart from the heat up time, would another element improve strip times. My stripping run is very slow, about as slow as a final run, taking several hours from a 25 litre wash. This is with packing removed and CM reconfigured as pot still. Is there any sugge...
by Cong
Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:42 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 77
Views: 123631

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

Kiwi,

Some great info here.

Just in regards to a stripping run.

The standard element on the 25 L boiler is 1380 watt, can an additional element be run for faster stripping or will this overload the poor little thing.

cheers

Cong
by Cong
Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:42 pm
Forum: Still Operations information and hints
Topic: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)
Replies: 9
Views: 24959

Re: Better Operation of a Brew Shop CM Still (novice guide)

Kiwi,

Some great info here.

Just in regards to a stripping run.

The standard element on the 25 L boiler is 1380 watt, can an additional element be run for faster stripping or will this overload the poor little thing.

cheers

Cong
by Cong
Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:58 pm
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Who are the Aussies here?
Replies: 148
Views: 34759

Re: Who are the Aussies here?

Close enough to Beaudesert, SE QLD for me.

Cheers

Cong
by Cong
Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:18 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Idea's on building a 3" column VM
Replies: 22
Views: 3844

Re: Idea's on building a 3" column VM

2" column, 1" gate valve and 1" product condensor
DM/Hook

Based upon this spec, what would the appropriate length of the liebig product condensor be?

Also, if I reduced to 1/2", apart from RR discussion how would that change the length required?

cheers

Cong
by Cong
Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:00 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: VM head variations
Replies: 80
Views: 83330

Re: VM head variations

I would have thought that the gate opening would largely determine the reflux ratio and that as the vapor starts to form liquid again, therefore taking less space, possibly even causing some sort of siphoning effect, that it would over come the reduction?
by Cong
Tue Aug 18, 2009 3:06 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: VM head variations
Replies: 80
Views: 83330

Re: VM head variations

Hey guys,

I too am thinking of building a VM 2" column. What would the best take off size be?

regards

Cong
by Cong
Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:22 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: How to solder (beginners guide)
Replies: 189
Views: 244259

Re:

A list of safe solders and brazes is a damn good idea. I know of the following in Australia: The SilBRAZE P is mostly copper with a small amount of phosphorous. The other SilBRAZE and all the Pro Silver are silver (2%, 5%, 15%) and copper, with a small amount of phosphorous. The phosphorous acts as...
by Cong
Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:12 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: How to solder (beginners guide)
Replies: 189
Views: 244259

Re: Howto solder (beginners guide)

Thanks Rad,

I always thought flux was the go, but what do you think about the statement that plumbing supplies will only sell the food grade solder? or is this a farce as well?
by Cong
Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:51 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: How to solder (beginners guide)
Replies: 189
Views: 244259

Re: Howto solder (beginners guide)

Hi guys, I was just talking briefly to a commercial plumber and he informed me that if silver solder is purchased from a plumbing supply shop ( eg Reece) that they will only supply silver solder for food/water grade with no lead and little cadmium. If you were to go to a Bunnings hardware or the lik...
by Cong
Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:37 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Not Enough Reflux?
Replies: 13
Views: 1789

Re: Not Enough Reflux?

So do the heads/tails cuts diminish in quantity each time you run it through?