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The ugly stripper
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 6:10 am
by Bigvalveturbo
No plans just some rudimentary tools and time, wanted to experiment, so I didn’t stress about pretty solder joints. It does not leak and it heats 30 gallons up in about 30 mins. Need to figure out a better condenser , once my disposable income rebuilds I think I’m going to build a shotgun condenser.
Heated with twin 5500w electric, home built controller.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 6:18 am
by Bushman
Wow beautiful build. Just looking at it it appears to be larger than our 30 gallon limit.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 6:37 am
by kennstminet
Bigvalveturbo wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 6:10 am
...... it heats 30 gallons up in about 30 mins
5500 W can heat 30 gal of 10%abv wash from 20 degC to 92,4 degC in approx. 120 minutes or more.
Even with 30%abv in the boiler, it would take 97 minutes or more.
I wonder what temp you had after 30 min?
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 6:43 am
by Bigvalveturbo
Holds thirty gallons at the top of the "barrel",just about perfect, i would never fill higher because i intend that to be head space. not beecause i intended it that way it was just the size sheet i had!
dual 5500w 30 min is a guesstimit i havent done more than fill and heat it once to check for leaks.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:21 pm
by The Baker
Condenser looks fine.
Why would you make a shot-gun?
They seem to be mainly used in a REFLUX still not a pot still like you seem to have.
As a deflegmator.
Geoff
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:43 pm
by Salt Must Flow
The Baker wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:21 pm
Condenser looks fine.
Why would you make a shot-gun?
They seem to be mainly used in a REFLUX still not a pot still like you seem to have.
As a deflegmator.
Geoff
Actually it makes more sense for a shotgun condenser to be used with stripping runs (due to its knockdown power) which is most often done using a pot still. I use my shotgun for spirit runs also because ... why not?
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 10:08 pm
by NZChris
Very nice. I'd let her huff in my shed.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 12:49 am
by LWTCS
Needs 14000 watts to heat up to running temps in 30 min.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 4:41 am
by still_stirrin
You must be a plumber, eh? I see that pipefitter’s vise in your photo. I have used one of those back in the days when I plumbed houses and commercial buildings. It would also explain your pretty solder joints. Great work.
You might want to think about putting swing joints on you lyne arm and also about putting a T/C joint or union, at least on the top of the boiler so you don’t have to move the boiler and condenser all as a unit.
Also, think about some insulation on the boiler. Since it’s all copper, you’ll lose a lot of heat to your stillshed. If you insulate the boiler, it’ll keep most of the heat in the boiler and help your distillation processes. I know … copper is pretty, but with the size of your boiler and the fact that it’s copper makes for a fantastic room heater, and that’s all wasted energy.
ss
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 8:31 am
by Bigvalveturbo
still_stirrin wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 4:41 am
You must be a plumber, eh? I see that pipefitter’s vise in your photo. I have used one of those back in the days when I plumbed houses and commercial buildings. It would also explain your pretty solder joints. Great work.
You might want to think about putting swing joints on you lyne arm and also about putting a T/C joint or union, at least on the top of the boiler so you don’t have to move the boiler and condenser all as a unit.
Also, think about some insulation on the boiler. Since it’s all copper, you’ll lose a lot of heat to your stillshed. If you insulate the boiler, it’ll keep most of the heat in the boiler and help your distillation processes. I know … copper is pretty, but with the size of your boiler and the fact that it’s copper makes for a fantastic room heater, and that’s all wasted energy.
ss
Not a plumber, rather a roofer and lead free solder is a bane on my skills!
If you look close your will see a 6 inch tc just below the sphere I will need adding a tc at the end of the Layne arm to experiment with different condensers
As far as insulation I’m trying to find a self adhesive foil face one saw years ago..
Sounds like we are like minded!
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:33 am
by OtisT
Nice build. I’d throw a few ones on the table for it, solder globs and all.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 4:43 pm
by Southern jeeper
Very nice build! I'm wanting to make a similar stripper as well. What size copper sheet did you need for you build?
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2023 2:48 am
by Bigvalveturbo
1 sheet 36 by 96 20oz and one piece about 24x24 I had laying around. I always have copper sheet in the shop so I didn't pay much attention
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2023 5:06 am
by Bigvalveturbo
still_stirrin wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 4:41 am
Also, think about some insulation on the boiler. Since it’s all copper, you’ll lose a lot of heat to your still-shed. If you insulate the boiler, it’ll keep most of the heat in the boiler and help your distillation processes. I know … copper is pretty, but with the size of your boiler and the fact that it’s copper makes for a fantastic room heater, and that’s all wasted energy.
ss
So, I have been toying with the idea of making a jacket for the boiler out of copper, with a 2-inch space between the inside and the outside, extending the three ports thru it (drain and two heating elements) and then filling the space with spray foam for insulation, anyone out there done something similar? I am currently thinking only the cylinder section and not the cone as this should give me a little reflux action and I don't want to lose that.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2023 5:26 am
by Saltbush Bill
Bigvalveturbo wrote: ↑Tue Apr 18, 2023 5:06 am
anyone out there done something similar? I
Sort of similar, but I didn't use spray foam and don't think I would, I'm sure there will be better options.
viewtopic.php?f=88&t=67323
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2023 5:36 am
by Bushman
Bigvalveturbo wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 6:43 am
Holds thirty gallons at the top of the "barrel",just about perfect, i would never fill higher because i intend that to be head space. not beecause i intended it that way it was just the size sheet i had!
dual 5500w 30 min is a guesstimit i havent done more than fill and heat it once to check for leaks.
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:45 pm
by Oldhenry1
That's a looker. Well done!!
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 5:48 am
by Bigvalveturbo
Made a modification to my shotty, i added a second valve on the input side of the water flow to give a finer adjustment. it works awesome. its a 3/8 needle valve. so now i have a course and fine adjustment
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 7:08 am
by Bigvalveturbo
i tried uploading a pic but i get http error?
Re: The ugly stripper
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 12:38 pm
by Yummyrum
Bigvalveturbo wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 7:08 am
i tried uploading a pic but i get http error?
File too large error?