Hi All
In the process of building my still column, waiting on some 3” SS ferrules I ordered to make the column modular so it will be more flexible and fun. I’m putting in a four set of bubble plates, they most likely aren’t needed but boy, are they cool to watch . i will be putting a dephlegmator in the top to get best stuff I can. Thinking of stuffing lower copper section with some ceramic beads a roll of copper scrubber pad. I have the PID electric controller with a 5500 watt element. The boiler is a stainless milk can. I thinking I will need to insulate the boiler. My brew and distilling shed is not heated, and it do get cold up at this altitude in the late fall and Early spring. Not even counting the winter. I just getting over a complete knee replacement on the left knee, so moving kind of slow right now, but like to make my first run this fall. I’m always willing to take criticism and also suggestions and make improvements in the design. I’m a retired engineer, and have a hobby machine shop and all types of welders, metal working machines and benders.
Thanks for looking and recommendations are always appreciated.
CH
Basically the PID is not the tool for controlling the element in your still, get a simple SCR (search here for PID and you will get some good info as to why) attach your PID to a brew heating pad and use it with insulation to look after your ferment, it will do a terrific job at that.
You need to control power in your still, good luck and have fun
" you can pick your nose and you can pick your friends; but you can't always wipe your friends off on your saddle" sage advice from Kinky Friedman
Further you need to think why you want plates? They not just for watching they make flavoured product and they are good at that but then you would want to go all grain mashes or fruit must. Yes UJSSM will work as well.
If you want a packed section with the plates it will work better on top of the plates.
Welcome to Home Distiller MHA.
Your understanding of how plated columns work, what packing does and how to power your Boiler seems "confused" to put it bluntly.
My gut feeling is that you will save your self time, money and frustration by doing some serious reading around the different areas of the forum before continuing on.
“ Basically the PID is not the tool for controlling the element in your still, get a simple SCR (search here for PID and you will get some good info as to why) attach your PID to a brew heating pad and use it with insulation to look after your ferment, it will do a terrific job at that.”
Thanks for your in sight on the PID use. Thinking I will use it because I have it all ready. If I need to do manual control of the SCR I can change it to manual in a few seconds.
Take care.
CH
MilehighAlcohol wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 1:18 pm
“ Basically the PID is not the tool for controlling the element in your still, get a simple SCR (search here for PID and you will get some good info as to why) attach your PID to a brew heating pad and use it with insulation to look after your ferment, it will do a terrific job at that.”
Thanks for your in sight on the PID use. Thinking I will use it because I have it all ready. If I need to do manual control of the SCR you need to control the heater/element. SCR is the controller.
I can change it to manual in a few seconds.
Take care.
CH
. i will be putting a dephlegmator in the top to get best stuff I can. Thinking of stuffing lower copper section with some ceramic beads a roll of copper scrubber pad. I have the PID electric controller with a 5500 watt element. The boiler is a stainless milk can. I thinking I will need to insulate the boiler. My brew and distilling shed is not heated, and it do get cold up at this altitude in the late fall and Early spring. Not even counting the winter. I just getting over a complete knee replacement on the left knee, so moving kind of slow right now, but like to make my first run this fall. I’m always willing to take criticism and also suggestions and make improvements in the design. I’m a retired engineer, and have a hobby machine shop and all types of welders, metal working machines and benders. 