StillSmart

It's looking very nice, and the price attractive also.

Looking good SW.

I'm hoping to make something similar when my controller eventually turns up from China.

Chinese new year was 10th of Feb. Everything goes pear shaped for about a month, I forgot about the festival and ordered two thermometer probes on the 9th - the order has not left the factory yet.

Th controller does not run hot at the current 1380w loading but when I increase the heater to a higher wattage I may need a larger enclosure to allow for the extra heat. Changing the element really depends on the results I get from the spirit runs, as time is not critical in my situation (retired). I'll comment more later. Cheers, SW

I run a 3Kw element in one of my boilers and my controller has an SSR mounted on a heat sink which is cooled by a small PC cooling fan. This setup has never even got warm inside

However, the enclosure for mine is a good bit bigger, not necessarily by design but more so I could fit everything in comfortably and still get at each component if I needed to.

AM

All good AM. Do you think that even though I get a slower boil for the stripping run, there will be a need to upgrade the element? Does a faster boil make that much difference? Cheers, SW

The only difference/advantage to a higher power element is in getting the wash up to temp for evaporation of the alcohol as quickly as possible. Once the still reaches that temp the power is going to be turned down to control the rate of evaporation. On a slow spirit run that time saving at the startup can make a real difference to the overall run time.

AM

Thanks AM. As running time is not critical for me (plenty of time on my hands these days) it would appear that I should save the cash I would have spent on a new element and invest it in more grain for my washes. Am I right? Cheers, SW

In full VM mode I found it particularly useful to have the boil time shortened because of the long runtime for a 40lt charge in reflux. Not so important in Pot mode but nice to get product flowing that bit quicker anyway.

I paid 14Euros for my 2Kw element and 21Euros for the 3Kw one so not really much difference there. In use the extra power used to get to boil isn't even 1Kw so not really a huge extra cost.

Also, if I'm heating water for a new wash I can get 50lt of water to 35oC in about 15 minutes - that's a good time saving.

All-in-all I think it was worth it for me.

AM

I have just stumbled on this set up, it looks very straightforward and takes away any doubt as to which type of Potentiometer to use and how to wire it up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-KYOTTO-AC-S ... 0617185%26

That's the business!

Even though my current model is working fine I've ordered 2 - futureproofing!

AM

Hi Aidenmac
Have a look at these immersion heaters. Realy good price
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270752174860? ... 1438.l2649
Regards
Runningman

Thanks RM, pity about the postage cost from US.

AM

Hi Aidanmac
I thought the postage was OK. Im sure its only 9 or 10$ for the postage to UK. Check it out again I think you will find the postage a lot cheaper than it says on the header page.
regards
Runningman

Hi again Aidamac
Just checked it out. 3500 wat immersion £11.16 Postage to UK £9.93
Total £21.09. Hope this clarifies. They do different wattages.
Regards
Runningman