Plug and Play 240v Element Control

[Jif]

Years ago, I started building a still from a half barrel keg, with the intent to build a pot still for whiskey making, running it on electric. I moved houses, no longer had easy access to a 240v outlet, and let the project lapse. I recently added a 240v 50a outlet in my garage for car charging, so the project reawakens!

I do not have a lot of electrical expertise, though if a project was extremely well documented I could handle some light DIY work. I'm looking for advice on a reasonable element for a boiler of this size (4500w ULWD?) and a reasonably priced controller that could run it. I do not need any automation, happy to keep an eyeball on it and turn the knob. Is the Stilldragon kit still the standard? I found their instructions somewhat intimidating. Oakstills' controllers seem like the inexpensive one won't handle a large enough element and the larger one feels overpriced for what it is, but what do I know. Looking for help and advice to get this train back rolling.

[zach]

Auber has both kits and factory assembled panels for brewing.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... x&cPath=64

Blichmann Engineering also has factory assembled units

https://www.blichmannengineering.com/po ... oller.html

[Jif]

Auber has both kits and factory assembled panels for brewing.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... x&cPath=64

Blichmann Engineering also has factory assembled units

https://www.blichmannengineering.com/po ... oller.html

Given the cost of these, perhaps I should just figure out the Stilldragon one!

[Homebrewer11777]

That Blichmann option looks like a decent choice for what was requested and price doesn't look crazy for something you can trust not to electrocute you if your electrical skills are limited.

The Auber units are nice equipment for brewery controllers but these integrate temperature control functions that you don't need or want for running a still.

[Jif]

Maybe my expected pricing is just off. Once configured, the Blichmann controller is nearly $600. I've seen folks with $25 SCR units running this, so maybe I just need to bite the bullet and follow a DIY approach.

[Homebrewer11777]

Maybe my expected pricing is just off. Once configured, the Blichmann controller is nearly $600. I've seen folks with $25 SCR units running this, so maybe I just need to bite the bullet and follow a DIY approach.

I must not be understanding their price. Looked to me like the base unit without any of the optional pieces would do exactly what you wanted.

[Jif]

I think it's much more likely that I'm the one who doesn't understand here! I'll dig a bit more and see.

[Salt Must Flow]

Maybe my expected pricing is just off. Once configured, the Blichmann controller is nearly $600. I've seen folks with $25 SCR units running this, so maybe I just need to bite the bullet and follow a DIY approach.

That was exactly my sentiment as well when it came to plug & play options. The prices were absolutely ridiculous compared to the materials to just do it yourself and make an even better controller. The same goes for just about everything distilling related.

[Rusty Ole Bucket]

Maybe my expected pricing is just off. Once configured, the Blichmann controller is nearly $600. I've seen folks with $25 SCR units running this, so maybe I just need to bite the bullet and follow a DIY approach.

That was exactly my sentiment as well when it came to plug & play options. The prices were absolutely ridiculous compared to the materials to just do it yourself and make an even better controller. The same goes for just about everything distilling related.

+1 I agree with Salty, build it! At least that was my experience recently when I went to look for something in 120v that was dependable and wouldn't burn the house down. I wound up building what I needed, it cost me more than the cheapos, but a LOT less than a comparable off the shelf unit. I was able to over build it and throw in some stuff like a GFI/surge protector breaker in the box that's helpful here where I live too.

Rusty

[shadylane]

I think it's much more likely that I'm the one who doesn't understand here! I'll dig a bit more and see.

If you go the DIY route, post pictures when building and we will gladly help.

[Yummyrum]

The bare bones “bits that make it work” generally don’t cost much .
It’s when you start adding in the Metal enclosure and decent heatsinks and fans , then switches , circuit breakers and meters etc that the price starts doubling and tripling .Then add input and output sockets , contactors for safety monitoring low boiler levels , coolant flow rate failure etc and remorgage the house

The basic Stilldragon controller kit is a great entry level DIY controller . Build it as is and enjoy . And seriously , there is nothing simpler than that Kit

Down the track you can add the bells and whistles .

[Homebrewer11777]

This thread is reminder that I've been chasing Stilldragon since 2023 for an order for two of these kits. Multiple emails and calls in Aug and Sep in 2023. I gave up back then and built my own (well got my electronics expert cousin to build it for me) and modified my inquiry to request for refund but never got a refund or even acknowledgement of the issue.

I am sure there is some reasonable explanation but this reminded me to go back and check. Sure enough my credit card statement shows the transaction...that website took my money just fine. And their order lookup page is still working and still shows my order is "processing". Sheesh hope they don't send it now.

[Homebrewer11777]

This thread is reminder that I've been chasing Stilldragon since 2023 for an order for two of these kits. Multiple emails and calls in Aug and Sep in 2023. I gave up back then and built my own (well got my electronics expert cousin to build it for me) and modified my inquiry to request for refund but never got a refund or even acknowledgement of the issue.

I am sure there is some reasonable explanation but this reminded me to go back and check. Sure enough my credit card statement shows the transaction...that website took my money just fine. And their order lookup page is still working and still shows my order is "processing". Sheesh hope they don't send it now.

[MooseMan]

Years ago, I started building a still from a half barrel keg, with the intent to build a pot still for whiskey making, running it on electric. I moved houses, no longer had easy access to a 240v outlet, and let the project lapse. I recently added a 240v 50a outlet in my garage for car charging, so the project reawakens!

I do not have a lot of electrical expertise, though if a project was extremely well documented I could handle some light DIY work. I'm looking for advice on a reasonable element for a boiler of this size (4500w ULWD?) and a reasonably priced controller that could run it. I do not need any automation, happy to keep an eyeball on it and turn the knob. Is the Stilldragon kit still the standard? I found their instructions somewhat intimidating. Oakstills' controllers seem like the inexpensive one won't handle a large enough element and the larger one feels overpriced for what it is, but what do I know. Looking for help and advice to get this train back rolling.

The option I went for was wiring an element with separate loops, so that I can have just one loop running off a cheap controller.

So I have a 6kw element with 3 loops of 2kw, and I plug 2 them in directly and have the 3rd when required running off a Chinese village controller. So long as you're running low wattage the 10kw ones (Real world capacity more like 2.5kw) are perfectly fine.

I had tons of help on the wiring from this forum so just ask away and guys will step in.

[LWTCS]

This thread is reminder that I've been chasing Stilldragon since 2023 for an order for two of these kits. Multiple emails and calls in Aug and Sep in 2023. I gave up back then and built my own (well got my electronics expert cousin to build it for me) and modified my inquiry to request for refund but never got a refund or even acknowledgement of the issue.

I am sure there is some reasonable explanation but this reminded me to go back and check. Sure enough my credit card statement shows the transaction...that website took my money just fine. And their order lookup page is still working and still shows my order is "processing". Sheesh hope they don't send it now.

Hi there.
Just pm me please and it'll get taken care of.
So sorry for any delayed response.