Thump Tower Concept

Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper.

Moderator: Site Moderator

User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

That would be a nice windfall Barney.
The thing that is a bit confusing is that all the little thumpers where charged with equal amounts of water.

When I get around to mounting the dog dish upon the tower, I asume the liquid ratio at the end of the run will favor more remaining liquid in the top stage thumper.

OD, I did pick up some fittings to make a little 2" to 1.5" adapter with a union. So now I can mount these pieces any number of ways.

S-n-S I can get 87 for sure with a low wine charge. If I charge all chambers with a 40 percent chargen I recon 88 seems achievable,,,,,,I think.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
olddog
retired
Posts: 3618
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 pm
Location: WEST OZ

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by olddog »

LWTCS wrote:OD, I did pick up some fittings to make a little 2" to 1.5" adapter with a union. So now I can mount these pieces any number of ways.
This will allow the tower to be mounted directly to the boiler, then the level return from the bottom thumper will return to the boiler for re-distillation instead of accumulating in the humper.

With the humper you are getting theoretically a double distillation.
With the new tower attached directly to the boiler you are getting a theoretical quad distillation.
With the humper and the tower running you will be getting a theoretical 5 times distillation, but with the bottom chamber of the tower returning the self levelling to the humper it may cause the humper to puke if driven hard.

Its great to see the ABV you are getting, I think we lose sight of the ABV from a basic potstill.

OD
OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

OD,
That's the thing about mounting the humper first in line. Definitely risk flooding. And I have proven that it will flood.

I will definitely charge the humper with a minimal amount of liquid when placing the tower atop. Especially when I put the dog dish into service. That is if I can fit it under my stilling area lid.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

I'd cry if I had to pull the Humper off the line. But I'd get get over it, as I still got plenty of 4" copper and lots of remaining space on my shop floor for solder.

I hope a controller will stop this insanity.

B_R_I_A_N>>>>>>>C+A+N Y_O_U BUILD ME A CONTROLLER NOW?
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
olddog
retired
Posts: 3618
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 pm
Location: WEST OZ

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by olddog »

Instead of pulling the humper off, mount the new column on the spare keg, then you would have two stills. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

Not sure about 2 stills. It would feel like I was being unfaithful or some shit like that there.

Prolly just sell one for many thousands of monies. And there would be a guarantee that it would produce "pure rum". :mrgreen:
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
MuleKicker
retired
Posts: 3111
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:14 pm
Location: If I told you, I'd have to Kill You.

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by MuleKicker »

L_A_R_R_Y>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I+H+A+V+E+I+T, W_I_L_L>T_E_S_T>T_H_I_S>W_E_E_K!! :lol:
-Control Freak-
AKA MulekickerHDbrownNose
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

Hey Mule.
Seriously, That would be awesome.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

This configuration after the Humper config.

Reduced the amount of yeast in the rum wash so it may be a while.
Attachments
IMG_0877.JPG
IMG_0876.JPG
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
Barney Fife
Distiller
Posts: 1249
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 5:20 am
Location: Mayberry, NC

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by Barney Fife »

Dude! What are you using for a camera? Those are some insanely well-focused and huge photos! Nice...!
olddog
retired
Posts: 3618
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 pm
Location: WEST OZ

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by olddog »

Just don't turn on that ceiling fan while your distilling.


OD
OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

I don't still at that spot OD.

I got a Canon camera. Bought it because it seemed to get the best view/more wide angle than the other choices available at the time.
U inspectin my joints Barney? :econfused: :D

Doin the best I can to keep the solder off the floor.
Should put that in my sig. :oops:
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
Dnderhead
Angel's Share
Angel's Share
Posts: 13666
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:07 pm
Location: up north

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by Dnderhead »

if your really loosing that much solder, what until it cools. melt ,add a drop of paraffin,skim, and pore into bars.
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

Oh I'm not that bad. I'm joking mostly cuz some of these fellers are really good.

Me,,,I get it to not leak and I'm generally satisfied.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
olddog
retired
Posts: 3618
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 pm
Location: WEST OZ

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by olddog »

Have you done another run yet since the cleaning run? what was the result. :?:

OD
OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

No. I have been waiting on the next rum batch to finish.

It is ready to rack now so I'll need to schedule around my missus not being here.

As a stand alone with a wash only charge, I am expecting that 82-83 would be the norm. With the Humper,,,,,,,,,, we will see if we can make it do gooder. And then the dog dish.

Got my controller from mulekicker, so I got alot of runs to do to find my sweet spot.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

Changed my mind and ran withe dog dish and no Humper.



Tell me thats not 89
Attachments
IMG_0916.JPG
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
rubber duck
retired
Posts: 3452
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:33 am
Location: brigadoon

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by rubber duck »

Shit oh dear that got my attention. 8) 8)
Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. John Steinbeck
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

Had company. Wasn’t gonna run, but I’d been planning this run for two weeks.

BS notes:
With the new controller
On 20% power (4.83 to 6.3 amps)
2 to 3 drips per second
86%
Painfully slow but not a bad start

On 40% power (9.03 to 11 amps)
Steady thin stream. 4 minutes to fill 200 ml.
75%
I am not impressed

On 60% power (13.6 to 15.4 amps)
3 minutes to fill 200 ml.
Good out put but low 65% ABV
Really not impressed

So now I open full flow to the dog dish condenser and crank power up to full.
I’m getting a small but good stream. My ABV jumps to 84%.

So now dinner is ready and the folks are pissed. So I drop the power down and leave the dogdish water wide open. Put the thing into 100% reflux. I go and gobble down dinner.(I know I know. Bad Bad and I am ready to be reprimanded)

Come back maybe 25 to 30 minutes later and crank the power to full blast and BOOM,,,,,,,,I I mean ta-dah. 89%.

These kinds of tools like to be pushed hard I recon.

Gotta evaluate the smell better tomarrow but that last bit smelled very fragrant. Not nuetural at all.

This was after I had already pulled 1500 to 1600 ml.


Also sprung a leak in my top fill port. Fix that tomarrow.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
olddog
retired
Posts: 3618
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 pm
Location: WEST OZ

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by olddog »

Congratulations Larry, it looks like you have found the holy grail, I am hoping for similar results with the Magic Flute, I am just waiting for washes to finish.


OD
OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

Frankly Mike, I was a little pissed. And in my mind started back tracking on retiring the Humper cuz I could get 83-84 all day long with a wash on full power with the Humper and dogdish.

Not sure about what to think about the reflux mode now. Thought it would strip too much flavor but my nose tells me different. Maybe because of my thumper juice it still has some fragrance?

Shit I may need to put a drain on the Humper and get the entire assembly in service.

Recon the reflux guys are wondering why I don't just build a column Ha ha heh.

Changed my mind on tonights set up because of our "Reflux mode" discussion from the other day.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
olddog
retired
Posts: 3618
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 pm
Location: WEST OZ

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by olddog »

LWTCS wrote:Recon the reflux guys are wondering why I don't just build a column Ha ha heh.
But they do not get the takeoff speed, and they strip out all of the flavour.


OD
OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

olddog wrote:
LWTCS wrote:Recon the reflux guys are wondering why I don't just build a column Ha ha heh.
But they do not get the takeoff speed, and they strip out all of the flavour.


OD
Zackley right.

Get the picture Lubie? That would be a "Crisp Flavor" potstilled profile.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

So now I'm thinking about (next run) taking fores and heads. Then putting her in reflux mode right off the top.

Lets see how much flavor and how long she can hold that ABV.

I'd appreciate any insight from the reflux gents as this is a bit new for me.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
Slow & Steady
Swill Maker
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:29 am
Location: ahhhh... I really shouldn't say

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by Slow & Steady »

That is some serious pot stillin Larry... 89% off of wash, and to still have flavor and nose... quite simply, you are a HD heavy weight!

All Hail Larry... King of the Thumpers

S&S
"If it worthwhile then it is worth a little extra time and effort... all impatiens ever got me was burned fingers and charred eyebrows"
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

That's funny S n S.

The ABV may just be an excersize in finding the ceiling. Not sure yet.

Smells good this moring but clearly not as rummy as the lower ABV take off for this run.

Gotta cut it and let it sleep I recon.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
MuleKicker
retired
Posts: 3111
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:14 pm
Location: If I told you, I'd have to Kill You.

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by MuleKicker »

Larry, hows that controller workin fer ya? Sounds like your getting some decent results. Hope your tower works out for ya, looks good 8)
-Control Freak-
AKA MulekickerHDbrownNose
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

Yestarday's run was a major let down as one of the joints from stainless to copper on the dog dish condenser kinda puckered, poped and let go. Friggin to much water to wrap a towel or three around.

Brought the still to temp kinda slow. Did not fill the dog dish yet as my plan was to take fores and heads. then put the thing in to 100% reflux mode for a good long while. But then the leak sprang.

Recon I have gotton used to test driving with a new little twist with each run. And having a blast doing so.

Had to drain down the dog dish and just do a regular uneventful slow run.

The controller is an awesome tool. Can really hear the thumper chambers working sweet on low setting.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
olddog
retired
Posts: 3618
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 pm
Location: WEST OZ

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by olddog »

I just did the first proper run with the Magic Flute. Just birdwatchers sugar wash, no heads or tails added.
007.JPG
I will raise you and call you :ebiggrin:
Nah I guess not quite, but I'm catching up quick. :mrgreen:


OD
OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
User avatar
LWTCS
Site Mod
Posts: 12965
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: Treasure Coast

Re: Thump Tower Concept

Post by LWTCS »

How did you run it?
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
Post Reply