StillSmart

I am the type of person that likes to be knowledgeable about a project before I jump into to so I must ask what some might think is a stupid question, as I asked this question on another board and was chastised. Why exactly do you need a controller on the heating element on a keg boiler pot still? I looked all over this board for the answer but I'm not finding the answer. So, yes I did look before I asked.:-) any help would be greatly appreciated I just want to understand before I attempt to build or buy one.

ive been reading for hours on this cos il be lookin into it in the future

you can check this out viewtopic.php?f=15&t=735

or this viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1367&hilit=power+controller

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1313&hilit=power+controller

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1001&hilit=power+controller

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1157&hilit=power+controller

i hope this helps

Thanks magnum for the response, however I am a complete water head when it comes to electrical anything. I suppose I will just buy one because of my lack of knowledge I am scared to death to attempt to build one. Thanks again for your effort to educate me.:-)

lol its Magnu not magnum

yeah as i said im in the same boat i do have a mate whos clued up
on electronics and that, who will do the job but im looking for summat
that i can attach it to the boiler rather in a box on its own (if thats is possible),maybe some of the guys has done this can enlighten

Sorry magnu , auto correct victim on my typing. Lol I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you come up with something that a water head like myself can understand and do.

The purpose of the controller is to limit the rate at which steam is produced so that it does not overload the capacity of your column.

Chuck

Its a shame the controller costs almost as much as the keg and pot

Two things to remember.

1) If you can paint by numbers you can build a controller.

2) They are not expensive.

Have a look at this link -Especially the pictures and the one at the right,

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

That's all there is too it, add a heat sink and maybe a fan ( both scrap from the local PC repair shop ) every thing else is just window dressing. (I must confess to being guilty of going a bit OTT with that)

Or here is one with the heat sink built-in, and it's less than a tenner.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4000W-AC-220v ... 2ec6ef3940

edwatters wrote: as I asked this question on another board and was chastised. Why exactly do you need a controller on the heating element on a keg boiler pot still?

-------------------

As Chill says to controll the rate at which steam is produced.

For a Pot still that you ask about, no controller will result in the elememt allways being on full power and resulting in a violent boil which will produce vapours and distillate that are a mix of heads hearts and tails. Using a controller to produce a calmer, simmering, rolling boil you stand a better chance of being able to take off the various fractions individually and result in a more easily identifiable cut.

Power controller is a must, as explained. Even with the Airstill it can help by slowing down the boil and making the distillate a little cleaner.

As for building one, I am a complete clutz when it comes to all things electrical but, with the help of YHB, I managed to order the parts from China and assemble my own controller for a final total cost of approx 30 Euro.

I loved the sense of achievement in building something like this but the links YHB has posted for off-the-shelf options are brilliant options if you really don't fancy making one...really was easy-peasy!!!!

BTW Ed; there's no such thing as a "stupid question" just stupid people who consider themselves better than others with little or no justification and none of those people reside here so you ask a thing you want and you'll always get an answer

AM

after studying the pix on john power controller i must
admit its summat along the lines that i like

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1367&hilit=power+controller

i go for a root and see what i can find

What ever you go with you'll need one with a cool blue light



Wont be as good other wise

I still think we should have a like button lol. Nice pic Capt.

Capt-Cudellez wrote:What ever you go with you'll need one with a cool blue light



Wont be as good other wise

Is this connected straight to the element or is it plugged
In at the back also wouldlook better if it had a bigger dial indictator

A 13amp plug goes to the mains, I use a quick connector on the end that goes to the boiler. Both my boilers have the matching male plug, as I use the same controller with both boilers.