brewhaus leaking water from reflux cooling tube connections

[etoh]

Hello,

N00b here. I purchased a brewhaus ee2 high-capacity (3-inch column) with 15-gallon tank. Works perfectly in pot still mode, but when I attached the provided hoses to the column head with the provided clamps to run in reflux, I get significant water leaks from most of the connections. No leaks at all on any of the other hose connections, including the condenser cooling hoses.

Any ideas? I emailed rick at brewhaus and he suggested removing an inch from the tube and reconnecting in case there is a tiny crack in the tube, which I will try, but it seems very unlikely that almost all of them are cracked...

Thanks!

[Dnderhead]

plug the other end of tube so is a bit of pressur
it also the type clamps make a difference.

[Prairiepiss]

Try a different clamp. And or use two clamps. And alternate the bolt. So one is on top and the other on the bottom.

You may also want to read the cm mod link in my signature.

[etoh]

Try a different clamp. And or use two clamps. And alternate the bolt. So one is on top and the other on the bottom.

You may also want to read the cm mod link in my signature.

I'll pick up some other clamps to try.

I have read the entire CM mod thread. Love it even though I don't understand it all yet. My next mod is to figure out how to get a probe into the kettle so i can drive my hot plate with a PID controller.... I can already tell I'm going to want more precision. I'm sure there are threads on that here which I will search for soon.

Thanks everyone!

[Prairiepiss]

Don't waste your time. You can't control a still with boiler temp. It doesn't work like that. You need a plain controller that you can vary the heat impute. If the PID has manual mode it can be used. But temp control will not work. There ate some good threads in the must read new distiller reading lounge that can explain it better.

[fullhouse]

the clamps that came with my PS2 were not strong enough to seal the hoses...i got some regular stainless clamps from the auto parts store works great now no leaks!

[Dnderhead]

if plastic lines heat in hot water befor installing..some are rather hard and dont squeeze down.i like the spring clamps best.

[etoh]

Great suggestions; thank you!

I will read up on the controller issue. Appreciate the advice.

[HolyBear]

The reflux head on top of the column can get fairly hot, hot enough to make your hoses stretch if the are in a bind or even from their own weight. In pot still mode, of course there is no reason to even attach the hoses to the reflux head. If you were running in potstill and had the head hoses attached I bet they stretched. Just cut em off a little bit, back to where the hoses look normal, then use regular hoseclamps.

Amen on Mr P's cm mod link. Learn it, love it, live it...

Did you figure a way to get rid of the rubber plug on top? Or did you have them weld a flange?

[etoh]

The reflux head on top of the column can get fairly hot, hot enough to make your hoses stretch if the are in a bind or even from their own weight. In pot still mode, of course there is no reason to even attach the hoses to the reflux head. If you were running in potstill and had the head hoses attached I bet they stretched. Just cut em off a little bit, back to where the hoses look normal, then use regular hoseclamps.

Amen on Mr P's cm mod link. Learn it, love it, live it...

Did you figure a way to get rid of the rubber plug on top? Or did you have them weld a flange?

Column cooling hoses were not present in pot still mode. I am convinced that I just need screw clamps from the auto parts store, so that is plan A.

I have read the mod thread but I'm a bit overwhelmed by it.

Still rocking the rubber plug... sadly I did not read the mod thread until after delivery. It's inelegant but is it really a major problem?

[Washashore]

Mine will leak every now and again, because as dunder said, when it heats up, they loosen a bit. I don't think the spring clamps they supply are as good as the good old fashioned screw down hose clamps. It's been on my list to replace mine.

[HolyBear]

Its one of the rules we live by... I initially whitled a hickory plug for the top of mine, drilled a hole in the center for my digital thermometer spike, then tha damn thing cracked... so, I happened to be looking at stainless cooking stuff at a store and spotted several stainless measuring cups in a kit. I snagged em, found the size that fit the tightest, drilled a hole for my Therm, wrapped top of the column with some good ol ptfe tape, jamed the cupare upside down on atop a tha column, works like a champ!!! No rubber!!! Never was partial to a rubber anywayz...