Electric boiler agitator

If it plugs in, post it here.

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shadylane
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Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

I'm bored. Time to build something.
Think I'll build an agitator, that fits the 3" fill port on my 16 gallon wash boiler
For simplicity and cheapness, figure to use a small drill to spin the stirrer.
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Yummyrum
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Yummyrum »

This'll be good :D

Go your hardest Shady :thumbup:
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Copperhead road
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Copperhead road »

Great idea for distilling thick fruit pulp washes for brandy, I have been thinking about having one custom built for a while.
You would still need to be running Gas however to avoid scorching on elements. :wtf:
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

My little wash boiler has electric immersion heaters
Even with an agitator, It couldn't handle a thick fruit pulp :lol:
For distilling pulp, I'd recommend direct steam injection and/or a steam heated Baine Marie :wink:
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Here's how I plan to attach and seal the agitator
I found a SS compression coupling in the junk box, hopefully I can convert it into a shaft seal
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Any suggestions, links or oppinions are welcome :lol:
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Here's a couple of candidates for the electric motor
Here's a couple of candidates for the electric motor
Here's what I'll probably use for speed control and cycleing the agitator  on / off
Here's what I'll probably use for speed control and cycleing the agitator on / off
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

This didn't go very well.
Next pic's will have to wait.
Burned fingers, part and camera got wet
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MichiganCornhusker
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by MichiganCornhusker »

Is that a valve lapping attachment on that Dremel?

Dry off the lens, we want pics!
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The Baker
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by The Baker »

I've used valve lapping compound to better seat poorly seated glass stoppers for decanters.

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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

MichiganCornhusker wrote:Is that a valve lapping attachment on that Dremel?
It's a homemade attachment for lapping in the valves on my flux capacitor
It also works good for trimming my toenails :lol:
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Kareltje
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Kareltje »

As for the motor: a friend used the motor of a windshieldwiper. Alternating movement already build in.
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der wo
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by der wo »

Because you have immersion heater elements, you want something small like a fast propeller, right?
A windshield viper is way too slow for this. And in any case I would use a front one. the alternate movement of the rear wipers is a huge disadvantage (I tried boht) and the front ones are stronger.

For the seal you could copy my version, where the shaft bushing goes into he mash. then it doesn't need a seal. See the link in my signature.
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

der wo thanks for the link
I'll probably use a 100mm propeller.
I was planning to use a homemade PTFE seal with buna-n orings backing it up.
After seeing your agitator I may do it your way
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Thanks to der wo the seal part of the build is done
Now I'm waiting for the 1/4" SS shaft to arrive
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

I got a little bit more done on the agitator
Now I need to make the bracket that holds the drill
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Kareltje
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Kareltje »

Is there a screwhole (is this a proper English word?) on your drill. For example to fix a handle?
This can be used to screw the machine on/in/up a solid construction.

I recently copied such a construction from a youtube-film and fixed my angled grinder on my vice. So I had both hands free to make a small component for my still.
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Something like this
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Fart Vader
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Fart Vader »

Hi Shady, here's my take on a variable speed agitatator.
I have a drywall compound paddle attached.

Works like a charm!
Harbor freight sells it for around $100

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64980&start=60#p7468602
My double walled boiler build: The Mashimizer. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64980
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acfixer69
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by acfixer69 »

Looks very functional shady but for safety sake them open brush motors could be a bad day if a leak shows up unexpectedly running high ABV . I got a pneumatic I might try if I can slow it down. Doing a pot still stripping run for low wines looks good. To me. :thumbup:
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Fart Vader
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Fart Vader »

BTW I noticed the sight glass on your column. Have you experimented with moving it around?
I have mine at the top currently and am going to try it mid column next.
My double walled boiler build: The Mashimizer. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64980
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

acfixer69 wrote: for safety sake them open brush motors could be a bad day if a leak shows up unexpectedly running high ABV .
Your right, The sparks from the motor brushes could ignite flammable liquids and vapors.
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Fart Vader wrote:BTW I noticed the sight glass on your column. Have you experimented with moving it around?
I have mine at the top currently and am going to try it mid column next.
I think the sight glass gives the most valuable info when it's between the boiler and column.
The sight glass makes it possible to look into the boiler and the lower part of the column
Plus it makes a great place for some copper mesh
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Here's a future modification, I'll try using a stepper motor and driver to spin the agitator
https://www.amazon.com/Stepper-Motor-42 ... per+motors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

https://www.amazon.com/MYSWEETY-TB6600- ... QJQCQCP62M" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Mtr_Distiller
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Mtr_Distiller »

Nice work Shady...Just a note - With the highly flammable vapors, most agitators used in distilling are pneumatic driven (EX rated) from a safety standpoint.
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Mtr_Distiller »

You could consider using a pneumatic powered tool for the mod. You want to have very low rpm though.
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der wo
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by der wo »

Looking at your propeller, I hardly recommend either to rotate it against the clock or to rebuild the wings into the other direction. the rotation must cause pressure to the seal. the rotation has to suck the propeller into the boiler.
In this way, imperialism brings catastrophe as a mode of existence back from the periphery of capitalist development to its point of departure. - Rosa Luxemburg
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

der wo wrote:Looking at your propeller, I hardly recommend either to rotate it against the clock or to rebuild the wings into the other direction. the rotation must cause pressure to the seal. the rotation has to suck the propeller into the boiler.
For the seal, I'm now using a ptfe packing gland and extending the bushing tube below the liquid level.
Kinda like wearing a belt and suspenders to hold up my pants.
Having the prop rotation so that it blows liguid downwards, seems to work best for this application
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Plan B
Found this old DA sander in the junk box.
Maybe it's air motor can be used.
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shadylane
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by shadylane »

Here's the latest agitator design. It works better than I thought it would :lol:
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Fart Vader
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Re: Electric boiler agitator

Post by Fart Vader »

My hero!

I love it. :thumbup:
My double walled boiler build: The Mashimizer. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64980
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