Pot controller

[Madshine]

So I'm looking at building a controller for my pot. Have heard alot of negative things about PID's. I could build a simple controller but I'd like to be able to monitor it better and have more control. Has anyone had any experience with this controller?

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_ ... cts_id=559" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Looks pretty legit

[rgreen2002]

See here: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 85&t=60776

And here: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 85&t=59470

and somewhere in here: http://ww.homedistiller.org/forum/viewt ... =2&t=24449" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


also... an offsite discussion over at SD: https://www.stilldragon.org/discussion/ ... troller/p1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


There are very few new ideas out there Madshine... This controller comes up frequently and usually met with similar responses.

What are you looking to "control" exactly? Need a little more info about your rig as well to help more.


As far as automation.... http://ww1.homedistiller.org/forum/view ... 85&t=59157" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow Probably one of the wildest pot stills I have ever seen!

[Madshine]

Thanks for the links. Looks like a few pll are using them now. I'm actually building a new offset column. Kind of copying the nixon stone version. I'd like to have as much control of it as possible including the temp readouts and voltage at a reasonable price. This unit seems to fit what I need.

[rad14701]

Thanks for the links. Looks like a few pll are using them now. I'm actually building a new offset column. Kind of copying the nixon stone version. I'd like to have as much control of it as possible including the temp readouts and voltage at a reasonable price. This unit seems to fit what I need.

Is there any chance we could persuade you to choose another design other than the somewhat antiquated offset head design...??? There are zero benefits to building that design versus many others that are more efficient in more ways that one...

[Danespirit]

+1 Rad

A few run this particular design, all complaint about the slow speed.
Furthermore, it will also be more difficult to built than it has to be for an efficient still.
The PID...well there are cheaper alternatives on E-bay IF you absolutely want to have such thing..
May I suggest a simple and effective controller and a simpler design for your still at first? Something like this: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 85&t=58011
You'll always have the chance to play after you've got a few runs with a pot still or a VM/CCVM..
You won't be happy with that offset Nixon/Stone for very long...

[Madshine]

What would you suggest Rad?

[rad14701]

What would you suggest Rad?

The design you pick for a reflux column depends on what you primarily intend to use it for... If you are mainly looking for neutral spirits then most CM, LM, or VM designs will suit your needs, with LM and VM better suited for the highest %ABV over the course of a run... If you want versatility, using the same rig for neutrals and flavored spirits, the CM and LM designs would probably be better choices... My goto reflux column is the LM design linked in my signature but I have plans to be able to run in CM mode at some point... However, that being said, if you go modular then you could take the reflux head off of a VM and have a pot still... A CM can also be run as a pot still by shutting off the coolant flow to the reflux condenser but they can also be a bit more difficult to maintain high %ABV for neutrals... There are lots of options... Another consideration is whether you want to do it all with one rig or would rather have a pot still head and a reflux column... I'm sure other members have opinions on the subject as well and perhaps they will chime in...

[Madshine]

I'm mostly going to be making neutral spirits. I like to turn that into apple pie and various infused vodkas. I may get into rum or whiskey eventually. I want something that wI'll produce the highest and purest vodkas. I have 4 feet of 2 inch copper pipe I was going to use for the main body of my still.

[rad14701]

Ok... If you want inexpensive, simple, and neutral spirits I'd recommend either the Bokakob LM or the CCVM designs... Both would allow you to make your reflux condenser out of corrugated stainless steel gas line instead of copper... Research those two designs and if neither one looks appealing we can delve further into other options...

[StillerBoy]

Madshine.. have a good look at a concentric pot / reflux design.. simple and inexpense to build and are very efficient to run to make neutral or favour product.. once you learn to dial it in..

I presently use a total 2" setup.. the vapour throat body is 1 1/4".. the reflux condenser is 1 1/2" inside a 2" outer.. and you can make various column length and use connector/joiners to connect..

This setup makes neutral at 92 - 93 % at 2.5 liter per hour.. once out the fores and heads.. it will compress the heads and tails very well.. and I use it both to strip (shorter column 10") and for spirit run (add on another 10" column).. packed with lava rocks.. as for favour.. once you have compacted the fores and heads.. open the take-off to run all most as pot still.. and you all the favour your strip produce has to give..

Mars

[Madshine]

I've looked at the Boka LM before. Might go that way. Have everything to do it already.

[Danespirit]

Well, the concentric would be a good choice, too.
You would need a few more parts than if your choice was a CCVM, but I think it's well worth the trip to the home depot.
I would take that over the Bokakob with slant plates any day..

[rad14701]

Well, the concentric would be a good choice, too.
You would need a few more parts than if your choice was a CCVM, but I think it's well worth the trip to the home depot.
I would take that over the Bokakob with slant plates any day..

Obviously, I'm kinda partial to the concentric design myself considering that's what I primarily use... I guess I should have included it in the options I provided...

[Madshine]

Just reading thru your concentric link Rad. Alot of info there. From what I gather size doesn't matter with that type of column. I've got 4 feet of 2", 1 1/2", 1" and 3/4" to play with. Maybe by the time I get to the end of that post I'll have a decision lol

[StillerBoy]

I have constructed 3 version of Rad's concentric model over the last 4 yrs.. and can say the size does make some different in operation.. but all work well and produce very good neutral.. with the large size (2") working best all around especial when wanting to do favour likker..

Constructed one in 1 1/2" with a vapour throat of 3/4".. that was my first since then I have put together one with a 1" vapour throat with centering ring using 1 1/2" column and condenser.. and that really improved the operation of the unit.. everything else the same..

Then constructed a 2" with 1 1/4" vapour throat with centering ring using a 2" condenser.. now this setup out preforms all previous ones.. and it will do everything you want, be it neutral or favour and very stable in operation.. once dial in.. sit back, supervise and watch the good likker come out

Mars

[StillerBoy]

Here is a picture of one unit I build in operation..

2" dia 16" long column packed with quarter and nickel size lava rocks with a 1" vapour throat and 12" condenser packed with 2 stainless steel scrubby.. working on a favour run (shorter column)..

I use shorter packed column on favour and longer column for neutral, longer being 20".. and slip joint or coupling with teflon tape..

Mars

[Madshine]

Do you have a pic or drawing of your concentric over dual slant plates Rad?

[rad14701]

Do you have a pic or drawing of your concentric over dual slant plates Rad?

I, personally, do not run a dual slant plate column... I run a concentric dual reducer LM reflux column... Until a couple of years ago I was running the same rig with a 1/4" single helix reflux condenser and a deflection plate to keep reflux from dropping straing back down into the column... Check the links in my signature for more...

[jb-texshine]

I'm mostly going to be making neutral spirits. I like to turn that into apple pie and various infused vodkas. I may get into rum or whiskey eventually. I want something that wI'll produce the highest and purest vodkas. I have 4 feet of 2 inch copper pipe I was going to use for the main body of my still.

Sorry for the side bar:
Rum makes an awesome applepie. No neutral required.

[Snackson]

I'm mostly going to be making neutral spirits. I like to turn that into apple pie and various infused vodkas. I may get into rum or whiskey eventually. I want something that wI'll produce the highest and purest vodkas. I have 4 feet of 2 inch copper pipe I was going to use for the main body of my still.

Sorry for the side bar:
Rum makes an awesome applepie. No neutral required.

This whole thread is a side bar....