Double Helix Size for 2" Bokakob Question

[CaptMorgan]

I am going to attempt to wrap a double helix condenser for my 2" bokakob column. Is a 3/4" OD of the inner coil possible with 1/4" copper tubing using salt to keep it from kinking?

I was going to go with 1.5" ID of the inner coil, giving a 1.75" OD coil. Should I go slightly bigger?

I don't want my first attempt to fail.

What do you guys use for plate material? I opened a piece of 1", flattened it out and may use that for plates unless I get a better suggestion.

Any help for this newbie is appreciated!

[frunobulax]

Here's a link Wind a coil It's the first thing that came in when I did a HD Google search.

[Danespirit]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 87&t=52290

No salt, no water, no freezing, no wax or what ever the heck people have come up with..

[skow69]

I'm not sure the advice so far is really applicable to your specific question, Morgan.

I am going to attempt to wrap a double helix condenser for my 2" bokakob column. Is a 3/4" OD of the inner coil possible with 1/4" copper tubing using salt to keep it from kinking?

3/4" OD makes 1/4" ID. You have a tubing thickness on two sides of the circle. Do you think you can wind it around a 1/4" arbor?

I was going to go with 1.5" ID of the inner coil, giving a 1.75" OD coil. Should I go slightly bigger?

1.5" ID makes 2" OD.

I don't want my first attempt to fail.

What? You want to fail on your third attempt? How do you learn anything if you never fail? Complex and challenging activities often require practice.

What do you guys use for plate material? I opened a piece of 1", flattened it out and may use that for plates unless I get a better suggestion.

Any help for this newbie is appreciated!

I don't think a 2" "double helix" is practical because the inner coil flattens so much that it causes excessive restriction to the water flow. A reflux coil needs to be sized to the amount of heat input applied. Measure it by surface area. Mine is 15 turns of 1/4" tubing. It easily handles 2625 watts of immersed elements.

Hope that helps.
skow

[DAD300]

Well who told you you need a double helix? They"re wrong. A single wound coil about six inches long will be more than enough in a 2" column.

Also, if you are a distiller and not a builder, use CSST of the 1/2" o.d. and you will be done ten minutes after you get the CSST.

CSST Condenser in my signature.

For plates, you can get several thicknesses of copper plate at a hobby store for cheap.

[CaptMorgan]

Skow, the 3/4" OD was what I was going to wrap the 1/4" tubing around, making the OD of the inner coil 1 1/4". That leaves no room between inner and outer coils and still keep outer coil from hitting column wall. Nobody told me I needed a double, I just thought I would need it.

If you say your 2" works OK with a 15 turn coil, I may give that a try. I plan on firing my still with propane, not an electric element. Will I need any adjustments?

I made my plates by flattening out some 1" copper pipe I had around. They are not pretty, but I think they may work OK. I may look at the hobby shop or try the ccsst coil someone suggested.

What kind of pump due you use?

[skow69]

Har! Oops. Sorry for the 3/4 OD confusion. I thought you were just REALLY optimistic. Har!

My size coil will work for propane. You won't give it much more than that without flooding.

Dad is right about the CSST, BTW. It takes all the pain out of reflux coils. My 15 turns are 6" long.

I run on city water, but pond pumps are very popular. The critical spec is vertical lift. Measure from the pump level to the maximum height the water has to get to and get a pump that is capable of that plus some. Try to minimize that height whenever you can.

[Hound Dog]

+100 on the CSST coil. 3/8" fits nicely. If you just find 1/2" remember it doesn't even have to be a coil, double it over and twist it, it has more cooling power than you think. Look for a 4' piece as an appliance gas connector at the hardware store.

A flattened piece of pipe works fine for the plate, the most convenient is a plate as thick as the cut in your column so you have a tight solder joint. If you flattened 1" pipe, it it pretty thin. Make sure your hacksaw blade is a fine tooth.