What would YOU do?

[still_stirrin]

What would you do in this situation?
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 0#p7344855

Remember, a hasty response can exasperbate the consequences.
ss

[bearriver]

Buy one of the new SSR's off Amazon and take advantage of my free 2 day shipping.

It took me 3 days to do a run last week. Everytime I gotta settled in and filling jars, something came up. The run went fine but it was done in short stints over the course of 3 sessions. I don't see any problem with it. I'm known to shutdown the still if I get friskey, tired, or even just bored. Then I come back the next day and finish up.

I bought extra controllers for this reason. These things fail. If I have to shut down, it won't be because of a blown cheap Chinese relay.

[captainshooch]

It all depends SS. I agree w/ rockchucker, wait, get it fixed and finish at a later time, is what jumps up to mind right away.

However, if for some reason, you had to get it done, then there are options.

One that comes to mind is most people used propane then switched over to electric. I f so, remove the element, cap it off and finish with propane. Order the parts and fix the controller for the next run.

Another one does involve a little hindsight. When building a controller, most people build it for just one element, perhaps it would be wise to build one for 2 elements, would not add that much to the cost, and then you are prepared, just in case SHTF and one goes poof, is no a problem. Finish the run with the second one.

This second option is used by quite a few, however, most builds involve one element not controlled with SCR/Pot and is only used for initial warm up, then switched off and the run is finished with the one that has a variable control. I thought long and hard about this when designing my controller and decided to go ahead and use two elements, and both controlled by SCR/Pot. That way, I can use both for warm up, then switch one off and finish the run with the other one. BY having both elements controlled by SCR/Pot, I can actually have one fail and still finish the run normally with the other one.

I have been using this controller for 28 months now and never experienced a failure, yet...being the key word.

A third control box in the middle is only used on the smaller 5 8 and 10 gallon boilers.

Also notice the PC fan on the left controller, keeping electrical components cool will help extend their life cycle. The middle one has one as well but is on the bottom of the box.

but this is just my humble opinion.

Hoochy

[Brutal]

I got a propane burner right there.

[HDNB]

isn't this a government job?

I buy everything consumable in lots of two or more. I'd just grab the spare ssr and be up and running in 5-10 minutes.

[corene1]

First thing I thought of was use a propane burner just like Brutal mentioned. Quick easy fix .

[still_stirrin]

isn't this a government job?

I buy everything consumable in lots of two or more. I'd just grab the spare ssr and be up and running in 5-10 minutes.

I guess I'm kinda' like this too. I never buy just one...the shipping alone would justify keeping one on hand as a backup. Funny thing...I thought it was just me that thought this way.

Good input all....thanks for the insight.
ss

[BaxtersDad]

Third the propane. These controllers look like gadgets for gadets sake! Nothing wrong with that of course. But propane is infinitely controlable with simple manual feedback!

First thing I thought of was use a propane burner just like Brutal mentioned. Quick easy fix .

[Danespirit]

Tried just similar, as my TRIAC fried on my SCR..damned..i had no spare at that time...now i have.
It depends on if it's a strippingrun or a spiritrun.
For a striprun, i would probably start over.
One could turn on and off for the power and get some output, but there would be a hell of huffing going on.
For a spiritrun, i would let things cool down and empty the still into glassware again....wait til i had a spare part at hand.