Power and Temperature Control

[engineer_electrical]

What is your thoughts of controlling your still?

Do you think it would be better to control Temperature, instead of using a thermometer?

Basically when you control your power output from either your variac or dimmer or whatever device you are using
you are inturn changing your temperature that your heating element is putting out.
Any thoughts?

[LWTCS]

See your previous thread.

Temp is ,,,,,a by product (for pot stillers at least).

[Dnderhead]

much like boiling potatoes ,, heat on high until it starts to boil then turn heat down to maintain boil/prevent boil over,,no other adjustments necessary.

the thermometer is a indication of what is coming out not for adjustments in heat. as lower alcohols vaporize at less that 78.3c (so that is removed)
78.3-90c ethanol (save) above 90c higher alcohols ---(removed ) these temperatures are in direct response to what the vapors comprise of.not
boiler temperature.

the boiler temperatures very by the boiling point of alcohol/water percent.

[engineer_electrical]

much like boiling potatoes ,, heat on high until it starts to boil then turn heat down to maintain boil/prevent boil over,,no other adjustments necessary.

the thermometer is a indication of what is coming out not for adjustments in heat. as lower alcohols vaporize at less that 78.3c (so that is removed)
78.3-90c ethanol (save) above 90c higher alcohols ---(removed ) these temperatures are in direct response to what the vapors comprise of.not
boiler temperature.

the boiler temperatures very by the boiling point of alcohol/water percent.

Thank you that was very informative, where are taking your temperature reading from top of the boiler or the bottom?
If you had a little switchboard with your controlling device lets just say it is an ac power regulator and had a temperature porbe running to to a digital
display right next to your controlling device would that suffice?

[rad14701]

It's the rate of vapor production that is important, not temperature... We really can't say it any simpler than that...

[LWTCS]

Dude you just can't get the T word out of your head can you?

I think you may need an exorcism

[engineer_electrical]

Dude you just can't get the T word out of your head can you?

I think you may need an exorcism

HAHA I wont say that word again its the devil talking

[LWTCS]

Good response, great attitude.

Keep reading and and soon I'm sure you will have a handle on what distillers are trying to acheive.

Post some pics of your progress and I recon you may get some customers.

Lights and shinny bits will only get you so far. This forum really does promote safety. As such, most folks here monitor their stills through the course of the entire run.

Feel, smell, taste will get you farther along than LED lights.

[Dnderhead]

possibly a thermometer with alarms that could be set to "wake you up" as it approached these temperatures.
another could be on the column to indicate that vapors are "climbing" the column.
( I feel the column when it gits hot about 1/2 way up I know it is time to turn the heat down)
(I say wake you up because this is a long proses, easily to git distracted and things can happen quickly )
goes something like this,,,turn heat on high,, Waite 1 hour to bring to a boil, feel column when heat starts up the column
turn heat down (this happens quickly when it does)
remove fore shots/heads.(wast)
at this point the still will run for several hours, maintaining its self.
then when the ethanol is depleted, the temperature will rise, and you take off "tales"(wast)
all this time your there watching over it.
:this is only a example as stills do vary.

[LWTCS]

:this is only a example as stills do vary.

And yet a very accurate illustration in spite of the variables that differentiate each still.

[Dnderhead]

If he is intent on making something, it mite as well be something useful.
maybe a chair with electric contacts that will zap you,
kidding aside,, the alarms should be something noticeable, that will git your attenchen.not like those kitchen thermometers or leds.
and that whould be vapor temperature ,(at the top of still)

[HookLine]

It's the rate of vapor production that is important, not temperature...

Bingo. That is all ye need know.