NHT-4000W SCR

[Peaty Jones]

Anyone had any experience with this kind of regulator? Sounds quite cheap. Was thinking that would it do the trick for the vevor water distiller? Atleast wattage is more than enough. There seems to be EU and US versions of the outlet.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326956587049?_ ... F1K2BAE6YQ

[tommysb]

I have a buddy who uses exactly one of those for an airstill type device.

I have tried using similar for a heating element rated less than the quoted wattage and one of the internal wires overheated and desoldered.

But it should be fine.

[BigSwede]

That dinky mains cord gives me pause. It could work, but I'd derate it somewhat.

The EU is 240V correct? The US version at 120V would need heavier wire to work properly.

Another thought is to add an external muffin fan to the case. I suspect it does not have an internal fan.

Last thought - there are a dozen proven heat control builds here that allow one to control big wattage and do it safely and reliably.

[PalCabral]

I have two of those, Peaty.

The first one kind of fried when I used it with my 3000w element. It works still but not to the point I feel exactly sure about it. So I got another one. It works still. They are good up to 2500w (thereabouts). Poor quality, the on/off button stopped working after 2 runs and it isn't like the on/off button is something you use a lot.

However, I would recommend you this type instead. It's the same as Oakstills are selling but at a lower price. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010 ... r%3A-29895

[Yummyrum]

I think it was SW_shiner also reported his switch failed . Apparently his was fitted with a 6 amp switch . Thats maxed out at only 1440 watts @240v.
So I’d be wary of it handling 4kw
Even derating that to 80% continuous is 3200w .

[Peaty Jones]

Thanks for all the responses! Yeah i also doubted the max. wattage but thought that maybe it could handle the 750watts on the Vevor water distiller.

Based on your responses it sounds quite of junk. I have myself a DSPR400+16A SSR controller but im looking for something smaller for the air still. Ill have to give it a thought that which is the way to go: Still spirits air still pro which is very expensive but saves me from the space and hastle or cheap water still with loads of junky regulators on the table taking up space.

@Palcabral the link which you send didn’t work.

[TDick]

This is what I've been using with my VW for about a year in the US. No problems. Don't forget the extra cord for the fan.

s-l140.jpg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/358574737983?_ ... EEMAGRR3DR

[Peaty Jones]

Thanks Tdick. I found an EU Version of this and placed an order of it. It was only 35€. I saw there are few versions of the vevor water distillers. I'm assuming that i should use the one without temp adjust/display? Doesn't that cause problems when its between the controller and the heating element when you drop the voltage down?

This is what I've been using with my VW for about a year in the US. No problems. Don't forget the extra cord for the fan.

s-l140.jpg


https://www.ebay.com/itm/358574737983?_ ... EEMAGRR3DR

[PalCabral]

@Palcabral the link which you send didn’t work.

Sorry, Peaty. Another try:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGEQpGS

[Peaty Jones]

Hi Pal!

Thanks i got it open now! Im looking for a AC controller to use it for Vevor air distiller. This is a DC controller so it wouldn’t work on this particular case.

@Palcabral the link which you send didn’t work.

Sorry, Peaty. Another try:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGEQpGS

[Yummyrum]

Thanks for all the responses! Yeah i also doubted the max. wattage but thought that maybe it could handle the 750watts on the Vevor water distiller.

It would be fine on a 750w air still .

Just make sure you unplug the fan and run it direct off 240v . The fans don’t like being run from the controller , especially at lower power settings …….. they tend to stall and burn out . Thats also not good for cooling distillate .

[PalCabral]

Hi Pal!

Thanks i got it open now! Im looking for a AC controller to use it for Vevor air distiller. This is a DC controller so it wouldn’t work on this particular case.

@Palcabral the link which you send didn’t work.

Sorry, Peaty. Another try:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGEQpGS

You do have your eyes with you, Peaty. Third try’s a charm:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExUgGMm

[TDick]

Thanks Tdick. I found an EU Version of this and placed an order of it. It was only 35€. I saw there are few versions of the Vevor water distillers.
I'm assuming that i should use the one without temp adjust/display?
Doesn't that cause problems when its between the controller and the heating element when you drop the voltage down?

Well, I don't think it's a problem but I don't know FOR SURE.

I have the time & temp display. And I initially ran it as-is by just dropping the temp down to around 80-90C for strips.
Manually tweaking for spirit runs like a gas pot still.
Then I ordered the controller.

More Information than you asked for, but here's how I do a Wash with the VW:
I ALWAYS invert my sugar - 50% water to sugar.
I use the VW to heat water to around 95 C. Stir in sugar & citric acid and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Done.

After the wash has fermented and COMPLETELY settled, fill up the tank and "Pre-Vent"
set TEMPERATURE to 70C for 40-45 TOTAL minutes uncovered. That allows time for it to come up to temp then hold at 70C for 15-20 minutes.
Holding above the boiling point of methanol it THEORETICALLY could boil off methanol, and it's also above well the boiling point of acetaldehyde and acetone.
At the very least, your wash is degassed and preheated to a consistent temp which prevents puking.

Put the Cap on. Plug the still into the controller, direct line the fan.
Set the TEMPERATURE to maximum 108C and the POWER control to around 70%.
Even on my stripping runs I dial it in to a slow drip (these are small batches) and let it run.
With the VW I take the stripping run down to single digit ABV unless I run into wet dog tails.
Using that PreVent step, I've never gotten really nasty tails.
Running to that low ABV gives me low wines 20-30% without diluting with water.

I don't know how it compares to SS Air Stills but so far I've not been disappointed in this little thing.
Good Luck!

[Yummyrum]

TDick .
Not so sure it’s a great idea to be running your boiler without a lid ( condenser) on it . I get that you are trying to remove foreshots this way but it would be better to just collect them as liquid in a jar rather than fill your room up . You are probably breathing them in .And god for bid you are having a smoke while you wait to put the lid on .

Also , it has been pretty much proven that Methanol does not evaporate from a Pot still at the start regardless of what temp you hold it at , but because it has an affinity to water , stays in the pot throughout the whole run and will evaporate during the run attached to some of the water that boils off.IE , it is smeared throughout the whole run and was even found to have higher concentrations in the tails believe it or not .

[TDick]

TDick .
Not so sure it’s a great idea to be running your boiler without a lid ( condenser) on it. You are probably breathing them in. And god for bid you are having a smoke while you wait to put the lid on .

Also , it has been pretty much proven that Methanol does not evaporate from a Pot still at the start regardless of what temp you hold it at , but because it has an affinity to water , stays in the pot throughout the whole run.

Good points Yummy.
It currently STAYS in the mid 80s F in my UNairconditioned shed so there is ALWAYS a fan blowing directly at me and the VW. And remember we are talking about REALLY small batches.

And I understand the assumption that methanol does not automatically boil at that boiling point.
MAYBE - or maybe not - a little is gone but it does have the benefit of degassing and having the wash at the same temperature throughout the tank.

It’s just a matter of personal preference and I
don’t know if it matters with “regular” size stills or not.
Last year I ran 4L stripping runs of WPOSW in the VW.
first conventional balls to the wall
Nasty smells and early tails.
“My Way” clean strip down to 15% when I turned it off.
JMO

[Peaty Jones]

Hi Tdick,

Could it be possible for you to test it out? I’m interested whether that temp display/adjuster stops working when you drop its voltage down to 10%

Thanks Tdick. I found an EU Version of this and placed an order of it. It was only 35€. I saw there are few versions of the Vevor water distillers.
I'm assuming that i should use the one without temp adjust/display?
Doesn't that cause problems when its between the controller and the heating element when you drop the voltage down?

Well, I don't think it's a problem but I don't know FOR SURE.

I have the time & temp display. And I initially ran it as-is by just dropping the temp down to around 80-90C for strips.
Manually tweaking for spirit runs like a gas pot still.
Then I ordered the controller.

More Information than you asked for, but here's how I do a Wash with the VW:
I ALWAYS invert my sugar - 50% water to sugar.
I use the VW to heat water to around 95 C. Stir in sugar & citric acid and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Done.

After the wash has fermented and COMPLETELY settled, fill up the tank and "Pre-Vent"
set TEMPERATURE to 70C for 40-45 TOTAL minutes uncovered. That allows time for it to come up to temp then hold at 70C for 15-20 minutes.
Holding above the boiling point of methanol it THEORETICALLY could boil off methanol, and it's also above well the boiling point of acetaldehyde and acetone.
At the very least, your wash is degassed and preheated to a consistent temp which prevents puking.

Put the Cap on. Plug the still into the controller, direct line the fan.
Set the TEMPERATURE to maximum 108C and the POWER control to around 70%.
Even on my stripping runs I dial it in to a slow drip (these are small batches) and let it run.
With the VW I take the stripping run down to single digit ABV unless I run into wet dog tails.
Using that PreVent step, I've never gotten really nasty tails.
Running to that low ABV gives me low wines 20-30% without diluting with water.

I don't know how it compares to SS Air Stills but so far I've not been disappointed in this little thing.
Good Luck!

[shadylane]

Third try’s a charm:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExUgGMm

I can't read Chinese.
Does the display on end that's above the + and - buttons show percentage of power?

[TDick]

You do have your eyes with you, Peaty. Third try’s a charm:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExUgGMm

I don't read Chinese so I Googled. The short answer for a variety of reasons is NO.
(remember Google CAN be wrong too)

[TDick]

Hi Tdick,

Could it be possible for you to test it out? I’m interested whether that temp display/adjuster stops working when you drop its voltage down to 10%

Keep in mind I am NO expert

Compare to a gas flame on a pot still. You would never cut the flame down to 10%, nothing would happen.

If you did cut the voltage down to 10% you WILL lose the display as it does need power to operate.

In fact I just did a little test.
Temp set at max 108C.

Vevor 80 percent.jpg

When you take the voltage down to around 60%, there's not enough power to supply the chip in the VW so it shuts down.
(I've never actually had to run it that low).

Vevor 60 percent.jpg

If you have the cheaper Vevor unit - with the simple Off/On switch - Bi-Metal Snap Thermostat & Thermal Fuse only
you SHOULD probably be able to reduce even farther to around 30-40%
but at some point it will reach the shut off point.

So bottom line, if someone is considering the VW, you're better off buying the cheaper model and the controller.
Live and learn!

[Peaty Jones]

Thank you very much TDick!

This was very helpful and it confirmed what i suspected. I’m not sure if theres any other threads about these water distillers but if there is, this should be made to attention of those who are considering. Kind of crucial point.

Hi Tdick,

Could it be possible for you to test it out? I’m interested whether that temp display/adjuster stops working when you drop its voltage down to 10%

Keep in mind I am NO expert

Compare to a gas flame on a pot still. You would never cut the flame down to 10%, nothing would happen.

If you did cut the voltage down to 10% you WILL lose the display as it does need power to operate.

In fact I just did a little test.
Temp set at max 108C.
Vevor 80 percent.jpg

When you take the voltage down to around 60%, there's not enough power to supply the chip in the VW so it shuts down.
(I've never actually had to run it that low).
Vevor 60 percent.jpg

If you have the cheaper Vevor unit - with the simple Off/On switch - Bi-Metal Snap Thermostat & Thermal Fuse only
you SHOULD probably be able to reduce even farther to around 30-40%
but at some point it will reach the shut off point.

So bottom line, if someone is considering the VW, you're better off buying the cheaper model and the controller.
Live and learn!

[Peaty Jones]

Received my speed controller and i tested it out with the simpler version of airstill (which doesn’t have the display/temperature adjuster). As predicted the full range was usable with it and there were no problem with ”lower speed” which in reality is just bigger phase cut of the TRIAC. Funny their even named speedcontroller.

But my point is, the cheaper still is better or should i say more applicable for distilling.

Hi Tdick,

Could it be possible for you to test it out? I’m interested whether that temp display/adjuster stops working when you drop its voltage down to 10%

Keep in mind I am NO expert

Compare to a gas flame on a pot still. You would never cut the flame down to 10%, nothing would happen.

If you did cut the voltage down to 10% you WILL lose the display as it does need power to operate.

In fact I just did a little test.
Temp set at max 108C.
Vevor 80 percent.jpg

When you take the voltage down to around 60%, there's not enough power to supply the chip in the VW so it shuts down.
(I've never actually had to run it that low).
Vevor 60 percent.jpg

If you have the cheaper Vevor unit - with the simple Off/On switch - Bi-Metal Snap Thermostat & Thermal Fuse only
you SHOULD probably be able to reduce even farther to around 30-40%
but at some point it will reach the shut off point.

So bottom line, if someone is considering the VW, you're better off buying the cheaper model and the controller.
Live and learn!

[Yummyrum]

Received my speed controller and i tested it out with the simpler version of airstill (which doesn’t have the display/temperature adjuster). As predicted the full range was usable with it and there were no problem with ”lower speed” which in reality is just bigger phase cut of the TRIAC. Funny their even named speedcontroller.

I recon the companies that sold them to control electric drills and saws had no idea about Pot still takeoff speed

[Peaty Jones]

Yes i agree its for marketing purposes . But it can basically adjust many basic AC gadgets not just motors or products tangled to distilling. Such as dimming light, adjusting power of a heating element used in other purposes and so on.

Received my speed controller and i tested it out with the simpler version of airstill (which doesn’t have the display/temperature adjuster). As predicted the full range was usable with it and there were no problem with ”lower speed” which in reality is just bigger phase cut of the TRIAC. Funny their even named speedcontroller.

I recon the companies that sold them to control electric drills and saws had no idea about Pot still takeoff speed

[Peaty Jones]

BTW Yummy!

This is the third day in a row i have this earworm of men at work..

Received my speed controller and i tested it out with the simpler version of airstill (which doesn’t have the display/temperature adjuster). As predicted the full range was usable with it and there were no problem with ”lower speed” which in reality is just bigger phase cut of the TRIAC. Funny their even named speedcontroller.

I recon the companies that sold them to control electric drills and saws had no idea about Pot still takeoff speed

[Yummyrum]

BTW Yummy!

This is the third day in a row i have this earworm of men at work..

Haa haaa

You better Run , you better take cover