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Power Controller for Air Still

PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:00 pm
by Moonshyner
I have a Still Spirits Air Still.
I've done 3 washes using dextrose and the dreaded turbo yeast with mediocre results.
Am about to start distilling No. 4.
Can I use a power controller with the air still to reduce the power to the still without damaging the still?
I only ask because the still already has a low power input (300w).
Would 200w give me a better product?
I figure it will take a bit longer, but I don't mind.
Any air still experts out there?
Appreciate any replies.
Cheers to all

Re: Power Controller for Air Still

PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:37 pm
by The Stig
You can use a power controller but there’s a few issues.
If you plug in as is , the fan will slow down as well as the boil.
So you need to go separate the element from the fan and control only the element .
I don’t know how this is done but I’m sure somebody else here will know.
https://5stardistilling.com/product/pow ... 00w-10amp/

Re: Power Controller for Air Still

PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 6:43 pm
by bluc
Mine has two plugs one from wall to unit another from bottom unit to top . The fan is 240v so unplug the later plug it directly into mains so fan stays at max. Plug one that goes into wall into power controler. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Power Controller for Air Still

PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 7:01 pm
by Moonshyner
Thanks for the replies.
Yes, I have that same 5Star controller.
I have connected the fan separately with the use of a computer power cord directly to the power point.
The main power to the still through the controller.
I also plugged the controller into an energy meter to check wattage.
So, what % power (volts) or watts can I bring it down to?
Cheers,

Re: Power Controller for Air Still

PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 7:14 pm
by bluc
Drive by output. Wind it down till stream is broken creep it up till just a constant stream..then you can read the amount and remember it for next time.

Re: Power Controller for Air Still

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:00 pm
by Moonshyner
bluc wrote:Drive by output. Wind it down till stream is broken creep it up till just a constant stream..then you can read the amount and remember it for next time.


Hey, thanks for the info.
Did as you advised.
Took a bit longer to distill but WOW....a cleaner product.

Re: Power Controller for Air Still

PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 10:07 pm
by Bob9863
I can definitely see the advantage of this, all the years I ran one and it never occurred to me but it's really very simple.

Another option would be to cut the cord on the fan and put a standard plug on it, that would make it simple to run off of a regular power controller.
Could even extend it and run it from a double adapter with a power controller to the element.