Another Bubbler -you guys have inspired me!

[woodduck]

Looking good :handgestures-thumbupleft:

If the holes are only small don't worry about them. The vapor coming up will stop the plate draining while it's running. They will also help drain your plates when your run is finished.

[bluc]

To seal gaps put chunk solder there and barely heat it so it juuuust starts to melt should stick well and seal.

[Zak Griffin]

Looking gooood!

[db1979]

Use gravity to help solder fill gaps, put it on its side and roll your column as you need to. Also try clamping your column with an f clamp where the gap is at its biggest. Small slivers of copper in the gap can also help and if you've got them handy (or could be bothered making them) they're probably your best option. Make sure every piece is cleaned and fluxed.

[db1979]

Looking good :handgestures-thumbupleft:

If the holes are only small don't worry about them. The vapor coming up will stop the plate draining while it's running. They will also help drain your plates when your run is finished.

:text-+1:

[justlearning]

Thanks all for the advice! Much appreciated!! Your all a big encouragement!
Think I'll see how it goes and whether I can get away with it as it is. I hadn't thought of the copper slither idea. That's a good one!

Packed section next.
Gone 700mm. Half stainless scrubbers, half copper scrubbers (because that's what I had)
Question... where's the best place to put a thermometer?
I'm thinking in the top elbow before it heads back down. Any other thoughts?

[bluc]

Thermometer.... anywhere after rc before pc

[Zak Griffin]

Best spot for a thermometer is on the boiler...

I had plans of adding one to the blockhead of the Heart of Gold but never need it.

What I'd like to see one day is a bubbler without sightglasses, but have a thermometer on each plate instead...

[db1979]

Both positions are good ideas. Boiler so you can tell when to start dialing back the heat input especially if you're concerned about puking. A site glass on the boiler is probably even more useful cause then you can see that your elements are covered, or if your boiler needs a clean out. I wish my boiler had a site glass. Between RC and PC can tell you the abv if you know how to convert it, no need for a parrot then.

I like the idea Zak, I've been toying with the idea of 1" site glasses on my 2" bubbler, but then you got me thinking about a tiny digital camera on each plate, connected to a LCD screen. Each one would need an LED too. Gotta make sure it's only copper, glass, stainless or silicon (etc) in contact with the fluid/vapour though. Probably too much effort for something I don't use very much. :? Thermometers don't tell you your plates are flooded though, or if gone dry.

[db1979]

Nice packed section :handgestures-thumbupleft:
I think 700 mm is far more than you'll need with 4 plates, but if you've got the space then why not? Mine is 320 mm and I get over 95 % abv (from 92 - 93% without it).

Shouldn't need any copper scrubbers as the rest of your still is copper, but if you already had them, all good.

[justlearning]

Ah well. I figured it fits so hey! ;-)
All assembled and done the cleaning runs. :happy-partydance:
Plates seem to hold a bath well enough so I'll just leave them leak for now.
Fixed a couple of other leaks, had to make the flange for the top cone a bit thicker so just hammered another ring around it which did the trick.

Ended up putting the thermo port in the downside elbow.
Might add one to the boiler at a later date.

Now to actually make something!

[Zak Griffin]

That's preeetty! Now hurry up and run a few hundred litres of wash through it :happy-partydance:

[db1979]

Great work :clap:

Have you had fun watching the bubbles?

[justlearning]

Yeah it's kinda mesmerizing! Love it!

[justlearning]

Just an update,
Super stoked with the RC,
Responsive enough. (I see the change in output after 30-40sec).
Holds full reflux at 4000watts, with 2 drips a sec coming over at 4600watts.
Thanks particularly to woodduck for patting designs for me to rip off! And bluc, db, scythe for the advice!!
I've found I quite enjoy metal work!

[justlearning]

And Zac! :wtf:

[bluc]

Woot :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[scythe]

Aww now I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy, shucks.

That's why we are here, it nice to know someone has listened to some random Internet weirdos and have enjoyed the fruits of their labour.