First distillation question

[The Apprentice]

I have done the 4 1/2 gal. wash - no problem. I have done the stripping run - no problems but is 7 1/2 qts. a normal amount from a stripping run? I am now on the distillation run - problems. I turn the heat up after 15 minutes because nothing was happening and all of a sudden the temp. jumps with me turning down the fire to nearly nothing. I quickly get 3/4 qt. product at 185*F. I put that aside. I get temp. to 172*F and get 3/4 quart product of which I have confidence of purity and consummability (hearts). Then I start getting wild temperature fluctuations a 1/2 quart later so I shut it down. This took 6+ hours to do. Is all of this normal? Just wanting confirmation I am not leaving good product behind. I plan on re-distilling the 185*F first qt. (calling it heads).