My Frankinstein Plate colum

[NewStilling]

Ok so I am starting to get parts together for a 3" plate column build, Due to cost I will need to wait for a bit before I get the final parts.

Currently I have 2 X 3" site Tee sections with copper bubble plates.
One 3" inline site glass with Bubble plate.
One 2" inline site glass with plate. (was going to build a 2" plate column decided on 3")
The total height put together with the 2" site glass included is 25".
Also have a 3" to 2" bowl reducer and a 3" to 2" conical reducer
2" ccvm and 2" shotgun condenser. (Need plans for these builds have all the parts a link would be great)

So my question I usually have a 48"x2" rise with my usual column, so if I put these parts together I will be using a 24"x2" spool tube to get the remaining height. I would like to use all the parts I have and give it a go, so should the spool tube come from the boiler, plates on top or the other way around?

For the 2" section top or bottom of the 3"?

Should I even bother with the 2" plate?

Not worried about cooling with the 2" condenser my water source comes off the mountain I get condensation on the output with my heater running at full 1750w and can knock down everything on the re-flux as well at full power.

I've seen these run with and with out a re-flux condenser, if you have knowledge please let me know the difference between these uses.

The mix and match parts were due to a change in Size choice and a lucky break on the site tees got 2 with plates for 190cad on clearance.

[Sporacle]

OK, this post reads like
A three inch, three bubble plate column.
With the option of a single 2 inch bubble plate on top.
Using a double wound condensor for reflux and using a shotgun for a PC.
Is that the plan?

Without a RC it is a pot still that makes bubbles.

[NewStilling]

Yes that is the plan. biggest question is plate location, on boiler with spool to RC, or spool from boiler plates on top to RC
As for the pot still that makes bubbles that is what I thought when i saw that build on YouTube, cant find the same video any more but the guy kept talking about loading the plates and turning down the heat and running slow, something about getting better flavor transfer with higher abv on first run.
It seamed like BS to me but this is my first try at this type of distilling column so better to ask then just assume.

[Sporacle]

Mate there is a whole section on plated columns on here, I would have a look at that before you commit to building.

On the pot that makes bubbles, that was a reference to running with no deflagameter and no reflux being created.

I've just finished a plated build, there is a balance between abv and flavour, number of plates, take off rate and a few other things.

Just to be 100% clear a still with plates and no RC is a pot still. In order to gain the benefits of the plated column it needs to be run with a RC

All of the spacings are available in the build threads, I'm pretty sure there are a couple of three inch builds in there

[Renhoekk]

Not much point running plates without a reflux condenser. Basically, you get to watch your distillate travel up and up and up but it doesn’t get more refined. It’s expensive voyeurism

[NewStilling]

I guess I should have clarified what my actual column will be when I have the cash to finish it off
3" Dephlegmator 7" height
6 x 3" plate sections 5" rise
Cary over to a 2" shotgun PC

I made this post to get recommendations for most efficient setup/use for the parts on hand

I live in Canada parts and materials are expensive and hard to come by in my location, this build has been put together 1 peace at a time, with my lucky buy of the 2 site teas I have enough to give it a go on my next run.
My current RC is this one https://www.northstills.com/product/2-s ... lux-tower/ with how cold my water source is it works ok but very touchy to use. can get full re-flux on my 2" column its product take off that gets hard to control water flow rate is very touchy

[Sporacle]

Deflagameters are very sensitive and require a precise water input, I would recommend a good quality needle valve and 1/4 turn ball bypass valve.
If your flow rate up to the valves is variable it might be better to fill up a remote reservoir and use a small pump to provide water for your Deflagameter, that way your flow will be stable.
Mine is literally a quarter turn on a 7 turn valve to change output by 600ml per hour.
Good luck