StillSmart

Afternoon,

I have a few questions regarding a pot head for my T500. From my reading pot heads are best for getting flavoured spirits, run whisky, gin ect...

I've found plans here to build one and it will be my half term project. How do
You control the temp? Should I build a power regulator for the T500 first?

How do you insert the temp probe? I think it goes at the top of the bend, but what temp should it be?

How Lond should I make the 54mm pipe? Does it make a difference?

I'd like to add a gin basket and tri clamp it for easy removal, should this go at the top or bottom? And go best to connect the tri clamp?

Thanks for the great advice I know you guys can give.
Diverch

#1..

Diverch wrote:Afternoon,

I have a few questions regarding a pot head for my T500. From my reading pot heads are best for getting flavoured spirits, run whisky, gin ect...

Yes....a reflux for neutral (vodka)

I've found plans here to build one and it will be my half term project. How do
You control the temp? Should I build a power regulator for the T500 first?

What plans?? are they Vino Tinto build?? and yes to a regulator.

How do you insert the temp probe? I think it goes at the top of the bend, but what temp should it be?

By fixing a small tube (sealed at the bottom,) soldered into the column and push the temp probe in. If you want one...most guys aim for the top elbow. The temp of 55 and 65 C will rise slowly through the run...getting hotter towards the end.

How Lond should I make the 54mm pipe? Does it make a difference?

I can't remember how long I made mine....30" or so....you will see photos of pot stills in all sizes....

I'd like to add a gin basket and tri clamp it for easy removal, should this go at the top or bottom? And go best to connect the tri clamp?

I don't do gin....the basket sits in the vapour as far as I know....one of the gin boys will answer that.

Thanks for the great advice I know you guys can give.
Diverch

If your interested this link is my build of Vino Tinto pothead, with photos.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2942&p=19013&hilit=pothead#p19013

Thanks Iceman,
I knew that if I refrained someone with better advice would come along

Robert.

Cab someone check my shopping list and make sure I've not missed something: done something stupid.






Cheers
Diverch

Thank you Diverch.

I'm not smart enough to work out what I need myself, so that was very timely.
Good man!

That looks great. It'll sit on a standard t500 lid or require a bit of reinforcement?

From memory, I would say you have the main bulk of it D....have fun.

ps...I've only just noticed I still have a PM I sent to you back in Sept.. sat in my outbox.

I'd forgotten the 54mm elbow but the good people at JTM sent it out for no additional postage.

Plans are to build it this weekend if I get the elbow in time.

Yup will sit in the t500 lid.

Looks simple enough, anyone got any final tips?

I was thinking about 400mm of 54mm pipe.

I made mine a full meter, and don't regret it, several years on.


Robert.

Pot stills in this size are all about convenience.
Start with the condenser in the position you want for ease of use and then just work back to the boiler to make it fit.

If you use a vertical condenser the pot still may need to be a bit taller. If you want the product end of the condenser at worktop height the same applies.

Jusy make it fit how you want to use it, and if you do use reducers that are going to be cold in use, think about whether they will hold a pool of condensate.

Thermometer is again for convenience, it has very limited use during the run. I use one but it only tells me when to turn off power at tne end of the run.

Looking at your parts I suspect you are going from 54mm into a 15/22 liebig.
Just be sure to match the liebig length to your max power.

Myles wrote:Looking at your parts I suspect you are going from 54mm into a 15/22 liebig.
Just be sure to match the liebig length to your max power.

Is there a formula for that Myles?

Also if using a temperature sensor, what at what temperature does the power need to go off?

gadget

Yes there are calculators. Bear in mind that coolant temperature and flow rate affect the efficiency of the condenser. However I have found that I get a good condenser by using the default settings on the condenser size calculator on the Home Distiller Parent Site.

http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc

All I do is adjust the tube size and power levels, leave everything else on default settings.
15 mm and 1800 watts equates to 0.95 mtr.

(I rarely bother with the HD forum these days but the parent site has some useful info.)

As for temperature I generally switch off power at vapour temperature of 98°C (on a strip run). Some folks strip for longer but you put so much energy in to get out the last bit of alcohol that I don't bother - it is cheaper in the long run to just do another fermentation.

I don't use the thermometer on a spirit run I use a hydrometer and parrot instead.

At more than 3 kW I switch to a shotgun condenser for convenience.

I also rarely bother with a single liebig these days as I favour the use of a shorter (but more complicated to build) concentric condenser with 2 vapour paths in the same shell.

You can easily cut the length of a 3 kW liebig condenser down to 26" instead of 62"

Thanks for that..

is there a drawing for that? I get the idea but my head says no...