StillSmart

Hi - I'm new to the forum and distilling but am having a blast trying the t500 out. One thing I noticed to be inconsistent with other users experience was the correct temperature reading (my unit has the single temp reading). Most try to keep the temp between 55-62c. I can't seem to get any product drips unless I move the temp up to 68-75c. I tested the thermometer with another and ensured that it was securely placed. If I run at 60c I get around 1 drip of product every 7 seconds and it would need to run for days to complete. I'm in a northern climate so the well water (have a pump to balance water pressures) is very cold - perhaps a higher temp is required to offset. Any issues with using a higher temp? It sounds like quality suffers but I completed with 3.5 liters at approximately 93% and am pleased with the results.

Don't worry what the temp gauge is reading, it means nothing. Concentrate on the flow rate.
Let it build up temp until the product starts to drip.
Turn the water flow up until no product flows.
Keep it at the 100% reflux for 15 minutes, it condensers the heads at the top of the column.
Gradually decrease the water flow until the product flows at a very fast drip to a slow trickle.
Make your cuts.

Hi troypatrick and welcome.

That temperature suggestion in the instructions doesn't take into account the water supply temperature, this time of the year your tap water will be quite cold compared to in the summer, so like vino-tinto said, ignore the numbers and adjust it for product collection speed, for a T500 I would suggest 1 - 1.2 litres an hour.

It's a shame Still Spirits removed the second thermometer that used to be at the top of the column on older models, it was far more useful than the water temp one they kept.

It does seem that vino-tinto and Anavrin may have sorted you here.
I will back off.

Robert.

Thanks for the responses guys - I'll do some experimenting on the next run and advise on the results. Appreciate the feedback - fantastic.

up till 2 am trying the new still , AAAGH it is fussy, and took forever to get the water flow just right,
temperature of my well is quite cold and probably a factor,, but it is working

Hi Kerry ... yes the T500 is a bugger of a thing to keep in its sweet spot. A lot of users have installed a Pressure Reducing Valve and Still Spirits now supply a micro adjustment valve. Neither of these did much to help my set up till I installed one of these http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Brass-Fullway-Gatevalve-22mm/p/420170

A bit of faffing around to get the hoses connected but it now is now much easier to drive.

reading other posts and saw someone was using an aquarium water pump to get water to the condensor. i am thinking that this will be a cheaper alternative than trying to get water regulators and other bits for my situation.

There is a solar pump mentioned on here which sounded really good.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 22&alt=web

Mr Four Square wrote: Neither of these did much to help my set up till I installed one of these http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Brass-Fullway-Gatevalve-22mm/p/420170

I wasn't going to stick my in with this thread because a gatevalve does seem to be a little OTT, but I did the same and all my water pressure problems went out the window....give it a try...a slight twist on the valve works a treat with keeping the temp spot on.

might try to do a copy of the still spirits water regulator,
large bucket, toilet ball cock, aquarium pump..

proper link sorry..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311059846563? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Mash wrote:proper link sorry..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311059846563? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Nice.
If it does what it says on the tin.
It looks to me like advice is flying in here from various perspectives,pick the one that suits.
Robert.

Icefever wrote:

Mr Four Square wrote: Neither of these did much to help my set up till I installed one of these http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Brass-Fullway-Gatevalve-22mm/p/420170

I wasn't going to stick my in with this thread because a gatevalve does seem to be a little OTT, but I did the same and all my water pressure problems went out the window....give it a try...a slight twist on the valve works a treat with keeping the temp spot on.

Sweet isn't it Ice ! Cheap to make and easy to operate. I've had the T500 for 3 years and this solved all my water control problems.

Mr Four Square wrote:Sweet isn't it Ice ! Cheap to make and easy to operate. I've had the T500 for 3 years and this solved all my water control problems.

Sure is Four.... works for us two.

I see from your photo you have the needle valve in line with the gate valve...mine is on the hose pipe..then straight to the liebig...I find that all I need to do is feel the top of the liebig for how warm it is, then by a tweak of the vave I can control the flow.

I've bought a digi temp probe that I'm thinking about adding to the top of the PC just so I can keep an eye on the temp...haven't got around to that yet...only had it 6 months