Modding from gas to electric

[Ncreasy]

Couple questions, I currently run a reflux still built off of a 8 gal pot, drilled out with a 2 inch tri clamp bulkhead fitting to add the column (copper packed) sight glass, precondessor, turn with thermometer then condenser. I have been running off a natural gas stove with about 2 inches of clearance to the cieling, it blocks the microwave a good bit so of course the wife loves distilling day.. anyways, I'm about to upgrade and drill out another bulkhead compression tri clamp fitting towards the bottom and put a 110 fed 2000 watt element with controller. This buys me another 3 feet (or more if I start using my vaulted cieling man cave or outside) to operate. My questions are, would you install 2 2000 watt elements with controllers to heat up faster? Also what should the height distance be from the bottom to avoid potential scorches on anything that may settle, or if that's even an issue. I do plan to through some plates in with the added height and I'm sure I'd even mess around with a gin basket setup in the column as well. Right now I don't feel like putting in a 220 circuit as it would marry me to that location so any advice for my current plan would be appreciated

[Salt Must Flow]

If you are going to use multiple 120V elements, you would want to make sure you operate each element on a different circuit.

Be sure that the wire is adequate gauge for amps you intend to use. People recommend using 80% of the power the breaker is rated for.

I'd install the element/elements as low as you reasonably can. That just reduces the amount of liquid required to cover the elements.

[Ncreasy]

Do you think 2 would be overkill in this setup?

[shadylane]

Do you think 2 would be overkill in this setup?

Probably, but that doesn't stop us from doing it.
Without access to 240v two elements on individual 120v circuits is the next best option.
I'd use a pair of DERNORD 120V 1650W low watt density elements.
This would be easier on the 120v circuits and have enough wattage to drive a 3" column.
The extra surface area on the elements would also decrease the odds of the wash foaming up and puking.

[Ncreasy]

I had planned on picking 2 of these up from oak stills, unless you think the low density 1650s would be a better choice? And then of course I'd need to find PIDs and all the wiring components but I see the 1650 elements themselves are pretty inexpensive

https://oakstills.com/products/moonshin ... iable-amps

Of course endgame here is to just buy their jacketed boiler but between the cash I drop on this hobby already and hunting and offshore fishing, I can only get SO much by the wifey haha

[MooseMan]

Definitely 2 elements.

You'll have faster heat up times and redundancy if one fails during a run.

Get them as close to the bottom as you can.

Don't use a pid, get a voltage controller for one element and run the other direct from mains.

[Steve Broady]

Just yesterday, I wired up and tested one of those Dernord 1650W elements. My meter says 115V and 12.6A under load, or 1450W. I wouldn’t want to go any higher on typical US spec home wiring, especially since so many people think that code is a goal rather than the bare minimum.

Chances are, you’ve got 14 gauge wire and possibly a 15A breaker, and you’ve almost certainly got 15A rated receptacles. Derated to 80% for a constant load, that’s only 12A. Your 2kW elements are probably going to draw close to 17A apiece, which is higher than the short term rating on common house wiring, never mind the constant load rating.

I like saving time, but I like not burning my house down doing something illegal even more.

[Ncreasy]

Agreed, i actually spoke with my brother and showed him exactly what i wanted to do, he is going to come out and install a substation from the box and run correct wiring to power all this on its own separate circuit.

[Salt Must Flow]

Agreed, i actually spoke with my brother and showed him exactly what i wanted to do, he is going to come out and install a substation from the box and run correct wiring to power all this on its own separate circuit.

Maybe you should take advantage and have him set you up with at least one 240V circuit while he's at it. Two would be ideal for future growth, but at least one will have you covered.

[Ncreasy]

That's exactly what he's doing as eventually I'll be using 220 3kw elements on a jacketed still. Figure we'd do this once to cover all future possibilities

[shadylane]

Agreed, i actually spoke with my brother and showed him exactly what i wanted to do, he is going to come out and install a substation from the box and run correct wiring to power all this on its own separate circuit.

Substation hells fire how big of a still are you going to run.
I think Ya meant sub panel.

[Yummyrum]

That's exactly what he's doing as eventually I'll be using 220 3kw elements on a jacketed still. Figure we'd do this once to cover all future possibilities

When I started I never imagined ever needing more than 3.6kw element .
I am now in a new house that has electricity in the garage . Neat , except it only has a 40amp breaker feeding it . I got a 32 amp circuit that can run my 6kw element and leave a bit fir pumps and lights , but I am wishing it was wired with larger cable as I have quite a large voltage drop when the element runs full . I also wish I could use extra elements for heat up .

I guess what I am saying is get the largest size cable you can . Cable will never be cheaper.

[Ncreasy]

Agreed, i actually spoke with my brother and showed him exactly what i wanted to do, he is going to come out and install a substation from the box and run correct wiring to power all this on its own separate circuit.

Substation hells fire how big of a still are you going to run.
I think Ya meant sub panel.

Haha yea sub "panel" I don't mess with electricity, at all.. got lit up too many times during other ventures in life lol

[shadylane]

Haha yea sub "panel" I don't mess with electricity, at all.. got lit up too many times during other ventures in life lol

Dig enough in the rabbit hole of homedistilling and you will learn more about electricity.
Along with plumbing, welding, smithing and a shit load of other trades.
You made the right choice having someone with experience wire a subpanel.
Do you already have running water and a sewage drain?

[Ncreasy]

Not in that room, we moved in about 6 months ago and it's a giant unfinished room over garage, which I have the green light to build out however I please, when I was on my tools I was a shipyard pipefitter so installing permanent options for that portion is right up my alley. Big perks for me is underneath is my water heater, and washer, so setting up some deep sinks with full plumbing is likely in the future, essentially building a speakeasy themed bar and the still just happens to fit right into the theme

[Yummyrum]

May I strongly recommend putting a “wet area” under the still and fermenters that drains . I’ve lost count of the number of times I have had spills and burst hoses . Being able to hose out a spill is very important . Last thing you want is a mess upstairs .

[shadylane]

As Yummy pointed out, accidents happen.
Maybe a big aluminum pan meant for use under a hot water heater.
Set it under the still and connect a drain hose.

[Dancing4dan]

Spill containment and drain for the floor can also be fabricated from plywood and overlaid with fibre glass. Fast and easy to work with.