first run (vinegar) on new still

[sadie33]

So much better when connected the RIGHT way!! I LOVE the internal element, I can't believe the power it has! I did like I did for both the water and vinegar run, increasing 2 lines every 10 till I was at MAX in about 40 minutes, giving me my first drops at 45 min. I did a 4 gal charge at 11%.

It wasn't long before I had a stream. I didn't realize my pump was acting up, so the water wasn't flowing good, only a trickle. So I did start to get some vapor, but I think it was more from the hot product in my collection jar, than from the lyne arm, but it could have been both. I turned it down a couple lines at a time and unclogged my pump. Soon the vapor was gone and on a #3 I was still getting a pretty good stream coming out. I couldn't believe it. I thought I would have to run it near max to get a stream like that! I kept it going at a stream for about 1/2 hour collecting about a quart at 69%.

With my Vevor I had to constantly fiddle with the in and out flow. It would either overflow or suck air. This was SOOOO easy!

You are soooo gonna enjoy running your new toy more than that thing you had before Sadie!

As has been said, time to learn how it likes to run now, get a feel for it.
On your first strip runs, get it going as hard and fast as you can and see if that condenser can cope with full power. That's best case scenario.

Take good notes, power settings, L/HR output, water temps in/out etc and before long you'll be driving it almost hands free.
And let's hear about it!

I already enjoy it!! I can't wait to do a stripping run! I think I might do that tomorrow.

I do keep good notes. I took notes on all 3 runs so far (water, vinegar and sacrificial).

I am using the little pump that came with my Vevor, I'm thinking of switching it with a spare fish tank pump I have (maxi jet 900). I wonder if having better/faster flow will help. I'll try it and see.

[sadie33]

I don't know if its just my setup my my boiler with an element seem to get real quiet right before its up to temp

hmmm that's interesting. Now I'm curious if mine will. I'll listen and see.

[MooseMan]

Yes it's definitely worth doing a strip with the small pump first, then another with the bigger pump if you can't run at full heat.
Strips should be run at max power as long as your condenser can handle it.

And buzz is correct, your boiler sound will calm right down as it's coming up to temp, it's a great indicator to get ready for producing.
It's just steam bubbles bursting and popping, but when the boiler starts to fill with a layer of steam above the fluid towards boiling point, the steam bubbles rise up and pop above the fluid layer so the sound is cushioned.