Column Extension

[prawnz]

You should be getting more passive reflux now than ever, hence your rc shouldn't have to work as hard :?

Thats what I was hoping for , but for it to be running probably 3 times as fast as it does without the extension ? and at only 70% whereas I get 83 - 85% with the small head only , Got me buggered .

Love to hear from someone else who has done this .

[coffe addict]

I'd wager that the narrow section between column and head is what is causing your issues. Narrow means fast vapour speed blocking the liquid from going back down to new extension.

Jus build a boka head for the column and you'll have a top class rig... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[prawnz]

Yeh if I had the funds and expertise I'd do just that but unfortunately I'm limited to making the best of what Ive got :cry: :cry:

I expect you are right about the narrow section Coffe but I cant work out why its running so much faster with the extension on . The top section which is the original RC is still packed as before with cooling the same and I was getting mid 80%s . Might think about applying cooling to the bottom section , maybe remove the insulation , maybe put an external cooling coil with copper scrubbers inside to transfer heat . I have even read somewhere that someone applied a fan to the top of their extension for cooling .

Anyway , I really appreciate the input guys , I know my setup is fairly limited but im just trying to get the most out of it that I can on a very limited budget .

As soon as fiscal constraints abate I'll be jumping on the Boka bus for sure . :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[wynnum1]

This is from a previous discussion and has a photo of the extension they sold and shows it was 10 inch's long and the cooling .
May be worth doing similar.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5299&p=136281&hilit=super+reflux#p136281

[prawnz]

Yeh , thanks Ive been looking at that , it seems to be built with external cooling , not ideal I know but its a thought perhaps if i do 6 or 8 wraps of tube ?

[Plumby]

That's what I use to use and I got 92% every run

[prawnz]

Do you use a power controller Plumby ?

[Doubleuj]

Id be thinking of desoldering the top reducer and installing a coil type reflux condenser inside the extension.
if you had both RC's plumbed in together then they should act like one, giving good control of your output.

[prawnz]

If I was to do that how many/much coils would I need ?

[Plumby]

I do on my pot still but never bothered with it for that one.

[prawnz]

Hmmm , just as I was starting to warm to this internal coil idea , a quick call to the plumbing supplier put a stop to it . $66 plus gst for a length of 6mm :crying-blue:

[Doubleuj]

I do on my pot still but never bothered with it for that one.

Im no expert on coil condensers but the one on the t500 is small.
id suggest something like a 100-150mm long coil made out of 1/2 inch copper.

note sure how people usually add a coil condenser but what i would do is:
drill 2 holes in the side of the extension and leave the "tails" of the coil long so they can flex in then be poked out through these holes.
then solder up the pipe/holes.
Anyone see a problem with that idea?

IMG_6587.JPG

[wynnum1]

If you want cheap small copper tubing could try gutting a non working refrigerator .

[Plumby]

Probably a bit late now but I can ring the hbs here if you want and ask if they still have any in stock. My old man brought one a while ago.

[prawnz]

Probably a bit late now but I can ring the hbs here if you want and ask if they still have any in stock. My old man brought one a while ago.

One what Plumby , power controller ?

[Plumby]

Na man the extension. I rang them, no bingo mate they haven't made them for years.

[prawnz]

OK after much procrastination i'm going to go with Warra's idea , use Doublleuj's grand diagram and make a coil .

I think what I'll do rather than desolder the the top I'll cut it a couple of inches down put the coil in and use a 2 inch joining ring to solder it back together .

I'll just need to source some reasonably priced 1/4 in .

[Azza76]

I'll just need to source some reasonably priced 1/4 in .[/quote]



Head to a scrap yard they should have shitloads of it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Plumby]

Hate to sound nasty mate but it sounds like you are grasping at straws man. I know funds are tight at the moment ( been there done that ) but you dont use your army to fight a loosing battle.
Use the still you have now and save your money for a better build, mabey a booka or even a simple pot still will give you more satisfaction than what you have now.
I know we all want to modify what we have to make something better but sometimes you have to accept the fact that you just can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

[Doubleuj]

Don't get discouraged prawnzy, you'll pick up some copper eventually or save the money for some.
Where abouts are you? Maybe another member has some 1/4" lying around that they can help you out with?
For now, what about removing the insulation? It'll give more passive reflux and may slow down your run naturally,
Might be a bit harder to control though.