Radiator for Cooling Reservoir

[Washashore]

Hey all, i have a CM still and am thinking about mounting a radiator in line with my cooling circulation system. I found this one for $80. I don't remember reading any posts of anyones experience using them so am not sure if it'd be worth it or not. Im thinking it would help buffer the cooling water temp throughout the run. My still is all stainless steel, so I don't think I should be concerned about the aluminum. Any thoughts?

radiator pic

Specs:

High Performance Small Engine Radiator and Fan Assembly
Designed to achieve maximum performance with minimum size and weight
Assembly size (approximately):  15” (380 mm) long, 11.4” (290 mm) tall (including mounting brackets), 3.5" (90 mm) thick
Radiator
1.25” (32 mm) thick core
15” (380 mm) long (including tanks), 8.7” (220 mm) tall (core), 11.4” (290 mm) tall (including mounting brackets)
100% aluminum radiator, single pass
3/4" inlet/outlet fittings
SAE mini class fill neck
6.5 inch, 12 V Electric Puller Fan -- Spal #30100573
Waterproof motor housing
3-point mount
Weatherpak electrical connector
Temperature Switch
180 F ON (close on rise); 150 OFF temperatures
Brass body
M16 x 1.5 Thread
100 mm (4") wire leads
Packard connector
Radiator Cap
·         13 psi opening

·         SAE mini class

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[Tater]

Did ya try a search on this?

[itchy]

thats not a bad idea if you had one lying around or free,,, as long as its only cooling water going thru it......but $80 can buy a lot of tap water.....that would be your call.... but i think the water in a self contained unit wouldnt cool to a low enought temp to condense properly as it wouldnt hold much water.. and thats even with the fan running over the finns and you'll still need a inline pump....not a submersible... or would it be a open unit with a larger bucket of water going out the pump into rad thru condenser n back to bucket? that might cool the water enough...

[Washashore]

I did a search and didn't really come up with anything conclusive. There was some talk of radiators in a flute build, and talk of a radiator as a condenser. It seems as if it doesn't hurt to have one, just wondering if this one seems like it's too small. Other radiators are selling for WAY more, but I like this one because it's small and cheap.

Right now I have a 10 gallon bucket as a cooling water reservoir and a submersible pump. I was thinking about hooking up the radiator before the water was circulated back into to the condenser (rather than after it comes out of the condenser)---not quite sure which would be more effective--if it even makes a difference.

During my runs I at times have to empty the hot water out of the res and top off with fresh. I don't like shocking the system like that. I know I could get a bigger reservoir, but space right now is a bit limited.

[USACelt]

try reading this


http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 9#p6929619

[Washashore]

Perfect thank you.

[heartcut]

An older (metal) heater core from a junkyard would be small and cheap. I'd suggest plumbing it in through the bottom, out through the top. The hot water out of the condensor would have a higher temperature differential (compared to the atmosphere) than cooler water, so it'd exchange heat more efficiently.

[Prairiepiss]

Here this is a good one about radiators.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... r#p6933053
Here is another.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... or&start=0