Still Smarter

Posted: **Fri May 22, 2020 9:12 am**

gaza the instructor wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 9:43 am It is just fascinating watching the product dance, better than T.V.
My bro said that looks like a mad laboratory experiment, so we have
called her, Frankenstill.

Can't wait to see some photos !! Congrats on your new setup

Posted: **Fri May 22, 2020 1:57 pm**

We all care Robert, how could anyone not care. It stresses me seeing wildlife struggle but even more if I don't do anything about it. You deserve a slap on the back (from someone with 2m arms obviously

)

Posted: **Sat May 23, 2020 10:57 pm**

Today I fired up a still for the first time in more than 10 weeks.
Beer and wine had kind of taken over.
I had forgotten the sweet sound of rattlin' copper pieces.

Robert,

Posted: **Sat May 23, 2020 11:12 pm**

Easydrinker wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2019 12:38 am It is late, and I am a little pished.
Why not borrow from the old site a popular topic..,...

What I Did Today

Post by YHB » Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:57 pm
I had a Clarinet lesson.
Not really true the last line, but here I welcome all to mention something significant in their day.

Robert.

I used to play second Oboe with Bolton youth orchestra. Honest Injun!

Posted: **Sat May 23, 2020 11:22 pm**

Now, that is really diggin' in the archives!

Robert.

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 12:59 am**

Today, I finished my sacrificial run on the new still spirits alembic pot condenser setup, after the vinegar run yesterday, so now we're cooking on gas.
It's not perfect, it's running off my brewzilla so I don't have power control, only temp, but it strips a LOT quicker than the airstill I have been running. I have an alcoengine reflux incoming when it's finally shipped, and eventually will get a power controllable boiler, but right now it's a step up which suits my circumstances and I'm very excited.

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 7:31 am**

Can you set the brewzilla to full boil on its controller (effectively bypassing it) but use a plug in power controller?

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 9:29 am**

Mash wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 7:31 am Can you set the brewzilla to full boil on its controller (effectively bypassing it) but use a plug in power controller?

No, unfortunately not. I think I'd risk messing with the internals if I did. It's pretty cheeky, it's marketed as able to distill in the same way as the grainfather, but doesn't have the ability to switch to power mode. It's either a 500w,1900w or both element running, so while it "can" its not elegant.
There appears to be minimal info out there on how to use it for this purpose and a lack of real life experience reports.
Like I say it will do me for now, and I'll almost certainly end up with the t500 boiler and a power controller when funds allow.

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 10:06 am**

Can you access the elements. If so you could easily rewire them.

Searching the Web, seems to show a plate on the bottom - very similar to how most burcos are built.

Whip that off, install a separate socket, & Roberts your mother's brother?

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 10:26 am**

Moss wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 11:12 pm
Easydrinker wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2019 12:38 am It is late, and I am a little pished.
Why not borrow from the old site a popular topic..,...

What I Did Today

Post by YHB » Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:57 pm
I had a Clarinet lesson.
Not really true the last line, but here I welcome all to mention something significant in their day.

Robert.

I used to play second Oboe with Bolton youth orchestra. Honest Injun!

Very cool Moss

Do you still play?

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 11:30 am**

Mash wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 7:31 am Can you set the brewzilla to full boil on its controller (effectively bypassing it) but use a plug in power controller?

One of our favourites Mash.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-220V-4000 ... 40db79e5fe

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 12:47 pm**

Sure is. But they seem a bit expensive at the moment.

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 12:53 pm**

Mash wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 10:06 am Can you access the elements. If so you could easily rewire them.

Searching the Web, seems to show a plate on the bottom - very similar to how most burcos are built.

Whip that off, install a separate socket, & Roberts your mother's brother?

This is the fella.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2420302682

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 4:43 pm**

I just bought one of these Mash .https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-220V-4000 ... 0005.m1851

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 6:29 pm**

Mash wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 12:53 pm
Mash wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 10:06 am Can you access the elements. If so you could easily rewire them.

Searching the Web, seems to show a plate on the bottom - very similar to how most burcos are built.

Whip that off, install a separate socket, & Roberts your mother's brother?
This is the fella.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2420302682

I lost this post the first time around so retyped it all again but I apologise if I forgot some diplomacy!

Please don't take offence Mash, I am not sure I would do that for two reasons:
Firstly, I doubt that plug and socket combination are up to running 2.4kw for extended periods. The limited contact area and the poor provision for wiring them up risk them overheating. If you want that style of plug and socket google 'iec hot sockets' for more suitable construction. I use the round blue 'caravan' 16A plugs and sockets with immersion heater cable to wire them up. Admittedly bulkier, but not much more expensive and better designed to connect the wires.
Secondly, unless the original controller is disconnected from the elements, if the original controller is ever used, the exposed pins on the modified plug would become live. I guess you intended that they were removed, that however stops the original temperature controller mode functioning.

If, as I suspect, the original controller uses mechanical relays there is an alternative solution. Wire in one of those cheap chinese phase angle controllers between the original controller and the 1900w element. At full power on the old controller, you will be able to adjust from 500w to 2.4kw and on the 1900w setting from zero to 1900w. It won't upset the original function of the controller if you set the phase angle control to 100%, in fact you could have better temperature control with less overshoot with finer control of the heating power.
DorsetScott, If you think this mod would be of value I, as others on here no doubt, would be very happy to walk you thru the upgrade.
The type of controller you will be looking for is one that can be wired either way around, input or output to the mains and the heater on the other connection. As the chinese always overstate the capabilities of their products go for a 4kw one.
One of the guys on here did something similar a couple of months back and put it in a nice box with a power meter. If it were me I would fit it in the bottom of your boiler (you don't need the power meter). My estimation of the work involved would be to drill a hole for the control knob to fit thru and connect up 3 wires inside the boiler.

Zio Roberto!

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 9:17 pm**

Jennysgin wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 10:26 am
Moss wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 11:12 pm
Easydrinker wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2019 12:38 am It is late, and I am a little pished.
Why not borrow from the old site a popular topic..,...

What I Did Today

Post by YHB » Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:57 pm
I had a Clarinet lesson.
Not really true the last line, but here I welcome all to mention something significant in their day.

Robert.

I used to play second Oboe with Bolton youth orchestra. Honest Injun!

Very cool Moss
Do you still play?

Unfortunately not. I gave up when I realised that I couldn’t be arsed.
I was hard work when I was a teenager

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 9:37 pm**

Is the red button on your keyboard stuck?

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 10:10 pm**

Not fair I don't have a red button, mine are all black or are we not
allowed to say that word. My buttons are all Dark! No I was right
they are all Black with a little bit of White, like Croydon.

Posted: **Mon May 25, 2020 10:47 pm**

Aww, that's a shame Moss

Although that seems to be the common path teenagers take

Posted: **Tue May 26, 2020 2:01 am**

I had a Clarinet once. The only piece that I could play was 'Stranger on the shore'.
I still own an Alto Sax. It could tell a few stories, but has not seen daylight for 10 years or more.

Robert.

Posted: **Tue May 26, 2020 2:03 am**

Mash wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 9:37 pm Is the red button on your keyboard stuck?

I've been playing 'hunt the red button', not seeing one here.

Robert.

Posted: **Tue May 26, 2020 2:17 am**

Don't touch the red button, shit will occur

Posted: **Wed May 27, 2020 11:22 pm**

Got the polytunnel re-covered today.
Much work, but should be good for another 5-7 years.
We drag the new cover over the old, and when happy, withdraw the old and fix the new.
This method means at times there is no air circulation in there.
The internal temps, got up to 48.2°C.
That was fookin' hot!
Ma Haggis sandwich in ma Sporran was starting to get wet and greasy!

Robert

Posted: **Thu May 28, 2020 7:20 am**

Hmm that's got me thinking.. What's the benefit of dragging the new cover over the old?

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2020 1:09 am**

Mash wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 7:20 am Hmm that's got me thinking.. What's the benefit of dragging the new cover over the old?

You can do it , with fewer helpers, without disturbing anything growing inside.
My toms are supported by 6 foot canes, the hoops are maybe 7-8ft tall, we didn't knock any canes in the process.
Having done this twice now, I would stick with the method, it seems pretty easy.
Oh, another benefit, free range poultry cannot get in there while your hoops are naked.
Several years ago I was working away from home, drove back up the road to see a door had blown/been left open, the feckers were in there and had spent sometime scratching up everything.

Robert.

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