Product flow not consistent

[Dubya]

I'm confused. Use birdwatcher wash but sometimes product just drips for hours, other times i get a good rate. I run at same temperature around 57C.

Today, was running great, but power breaker tripped. Re-established power to the heater in about a minute, got back up to temperature, and but output just dripped very slowly after that. What the heck happened?

[Anavrin]

It could be that your water flow increased or the temperature of the incoming water got cooler, that's the problem with the T500 only having a temp probe on the output water, older models used to have one at the top of the column too, measuring vapour temperature this is what you need to know more than the temp of the used water coming out, you should have reduced you water flow to start collecting at the normal speed again.

Of course the other possibility is your heating element is damaged and is no longer as powerful as it once was, you would need to use a plug in power meter to see how much power it's using, you can get them fairly cheaply off of eBay.

[Easydrinker]

I ran my Very silly still last night,and it took me a while to realise that the colder (10 degrees C) than the last use in input air temps meant that I had to boost boiler power by 150 watts.
Basically, assuming no leaks, there are only three factors
Strength and volume of wash
Temp of boiler
Temp of condenser, simple really, but it can lead you a merry dance.

Robert.

[Curmudgeon]

I have heard tell that in the 2 thermometer version of T500 it is possible to sometimes push the output thermometer in too far which will lead you to making incorrect adjustments to cooling water input.

see 7 minutes in http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/videos/the-turbo-500-t500/

[spot]

That knurled knob is far too sensitive for any delicate control, I think it needs a two inch barbell piercing through it.

[spot]

Having tested the idea, a Jubilee clip works wonders. Proper fingertip control and no damage to the rim.

As to the opening post, there are a couple of possibilities.

The electric supply may have dropped in voltage - a brown-out. Quite common in some parts on a Sunday afternoon when everyone's electric oven is on. The temperature might stay the same on the output but the rate of product flow would drop.

Or the product at that point may have gone from a high to a low proportion of alcohol which is what you'd expect at some stage while fractionating.