Dairy
(stranger)
01/07/04 02:54 PM
Still Water Flow Control
Just like tostart by saying "Hi" to everone.
Have been browsing the site for some months now, on and off, but just found the 'Forums' so thought i might post a few questions.
I will start with my first question (as you do)....
For what it's worth I have a a Euro 30 Still using Turbo Yeast with 6kg sugar in 25L fermenter. Must have made maybe (lost count) 10-15 25L washes that i've distilled through it.
The one thing i hate is having to watch the Still all the time. The water pump in the house is always switching on/off (bore water) which makes the pressure drop, so changing the colling rate.
Is there anway of making something or maybe someone already sells something, that will monitor the temperature of the tower and addust the water so as to keep it all running smoothly while i'm away.
It was fun at first to site there constantly addusting and playing with it but now i find it a pain in the bum.
I did see a mention off an Electronic Controller for such a purpose but as far as i can see nothing more was mentioned. I probably do a distill every 10 days or so, so it would be well used.
I could always plug the elements into a timer and make the whole thing automated, what do you all think
I have many more questions , i'll post them in seperate posts later.
Many Thanks!
Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will use it.
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Fourway
(enthusiast)
01/07/04 06:04 PM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Dairy]
I'd try stablizing the water flow first.
the simplest way I can think of would be to pass the water through an elevated reservoir before the still.
if your water flow doesn't vary without you adjusting it you will need to adjust less.
I'll stick with gin. Champagne is just ginger ale that knows somebody.~Hawkeye Pierce
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Anonymous
(Unregistered)
01/08/04 10:17 AM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Dairy]
I use a simple "swamp cooler" water pump which draws water from a large tub or bucket then feeds it back in. The flow rate is constant, but, after about 2 hours I must drain the water to another bucket and feed fresh cool water into the tub. It's a small trade of to being able to leave it unattended for about an hour, once the drip is started.
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Dairy
(stranger)
01/08/04 12:55 PM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Dairy]
Thanks for the replys, thats given me some good ideas, i'll have to have a look around and see what i can come up with.
I had a second ideas while watching TV last night, they were talking about Vineyards and how they have alarm bells that ring if the temperature drops to much (frost protection).
If i could find a digital thermometer that would sound an alarm if the temperature drops above or below a set figure, it would warn me of any change ( maybe it could call my mobile phone ) i'm usualy at the other end of the house messing on the computer anyway. That linked with a more stable water flow could be just what i'm looking for.
Now where do i find such a thermometer, i'm thinking people with greenhouses might use such a device or even the general electrical store.
Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will use it.
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tater
(member)
01/08/04 01:13 PM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Dairy]
You might find what you are looking for in a refrigation /air cond supply store.Penn or Johnson brand t stats work well
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Blanchy
(journeyman)
01/08/04 02:35 PM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: tater]
You can wire a temperature switch to a buzzer using the normally open contacts. They will close on high temp and sound the buzzer. You can price temperature switches on Omega.com. If you want to get out of control you can also buy a programmable controller that has a variable output that you can then use to control a valve operation. The sky's the limit.
Chuck
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Fourway
(enthusiast)
01/09/04 07:26 PM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Blanchy]
I've actually used a wonderful cooking thermometer that has a wireless monitor/pager that you can wear on your belt as you wander around doing other things that shows the current temp and buzzes if the temp exceeds a number that you set.
http://www.polder.com/retail/cgi-bin/ed ... 746-90.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
is the manufacturer's store with the special extra high price that manufacturers will sometimes charge when they don't want to annoy their distributors.
I think mine was about %30 off that price at a home products and kitchen store.
The range isn't fantastic, but it beats the hell out of sitting there tied to the process.
I'll stick with gin. Champagne is just ginger ale that knows somebody.~Hawkeye Pierce
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Dairy
(stranger)
01/13/04 12:37 PM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Fourway]
That's just the gadget i was looking for!
Thanks 'Fourway'
Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will use it.
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Peter
(journeyman)
01/14/04 09:53 AM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Dairy]
have you considered modifying the still to be a N/S compund head. it may be cheaper and will give better spirits too. you use an oversized condenser so variations in water make no difference (unless it stops altogther)
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Dairy
(stranger)
01/15/04 12:25 PM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Peter]
Hi Peter, this sounds very interesting, i have to be honest with you, i have no idea what you are on about.
Do you mean make a new tower, but larger in size, i like to think i'm pretty good in the workshop, so would be very intersted in experimenting in this area, any more information would be much appreciated.
Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will use it.
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Peter
(journeyman)
01/16/04 08:15 AM
Re: Still Water Flow Control [re: Dairy]
check out this
http://homedistiller.org/equip/photos-alex" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
the euro stills are badly designed. how high is the column? it should be at least 1m packed for good results.
if you are good in the workshop go for the SR design the EL plate is very simple and there is a far easier way to make it than Alex shows. simply cut a slot at an angle into the column and insert a plate, you really only need one plate
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