Does anyone else watch George here and probably never make a drop of booze but he sure as hell beats what's on the news, I love your show here and foothills of Kentucky George,
I'm in the foothills of KY also. I haven't made a drop of likker(liquor) but have made some easy hooch as an experiment. I'll be damned, a tiny sprinkle of yeast in a bottle of grape juice will be wine in 3 days 🤠 neat stuff and I totally agree I can't watch the news anymore. The way gas prices are I may be making some ethanal to go in my gas tank if it raises another dollar.
Thank you George!!! This is exactly what I was hoping for. I was unable to find the assembly (SSR/POT/Heatsink) but was able to piece this together from different sources. Your videos have helped make this my favorite hobby! I hope that I will be able to produce a product even you would be proud of in the years to come. Thank you for sharing your rich knowledge.
Your explanations lay things out so well and clearly, even novices can easily follow them safely. I've always believed that if you can't explain something so your grandmother can understand it, then you don't fully understand it yourself ! Just a couple of points though, a standard household dimmer is rated at 600w, useless to all of us. Lutron makes a 1500w and a 2000w dimmer, but these are very expensive. I used one of these to build my 1st. electric still years ago. I prefer this method, even above a PID controller. Simply because I will never leave a running still unattended. Kudos again George on another great video. Keep 'em coming !
George, you are amazing. Thanks for sharing the info. Dakota Coconut Rum. A special batch made in honor of my recently passed dog of 15 years. Dakota was a good boy.
I never imagined that learning the art of distilling would include Electronics 101! Perfect lesson Professor George! Gosh, how many hats do you wear?!?!
I usually don't mess with electricity but I was burned on my back when I was younger . I wouldn't run a hand sanitizer machine with a flame under it . I have everything mounted in a box and just need to wire it up . I also wanted to be clear on the ssr.40va if it could run both 110v and 220v . This video answered my questions . Thanks George you explained it perfectly . I follow still it and he was talking about you some time back and that you weren't making content anymore. What ever the reason George alot of folks are gonna miss you . Hope all is well and God bless you and yours .
Thank you so much because I was looking into a PID but I really just want an interface like a gas torch knob. This variable SSR is the exact answer I was hoping for. Almost started saving for a VariAC! You've put my mind at ease, saved me money and now I can actually use the heating element I already purchased.
As a journeyman electrician this seems like a long rambling way to get the little bit of information I need but for a layman it is a very good and thorough explanation of the process and method. Very good instruction, you make a good teacher
who else wants a tour of Georges shop? You know theres gotta be more crazy mad scientist stuff going on when you see 3 bench vices in a four foot area!
Thank you, George. Love your videos, I am new to distilling, and you have helped answer so many questions. Keep up the great informative videos, George. Peter.
Following up, I built this and added it to the pid controller, my temp fluctuations dropped to only 3 degrees on either side of the target. Big time improvement for me.
The Last schematic you made is a single leg has a ground or neutral(depending on your system) it can supply power. And the way you had it you are only controlling powering on one leg of the 220/240 VAC So your element is only going 120/240. Not Ideal. You have to switch your Neutral to control( As long as it does not go to ground)! Your system is hot all the time.
Idaho Leroy here. Hello George I'm wearing up exactly the same setup that you're describing in this video. Thanks for your help you really came through again. I'm glad you touched on the 240 volt option and your other video on 120 versus 240 is also excellent! You da man!!!! Curious as to what you did for a career?
Hi George, as always, awesome. Quick question. What do you do with the ground on your load? Previous videos you clip the ground wire off and only have 2 wires on your element. Is this still the case?
I have clipped the ground in some cases. I did this on a heating element because the element has no ground lug. The ground in that case is an appliance ground like a stove or other appliance. I have also attached the ground to the outside of the still kettle.
More than once I have encountered wall sockets that haven’t been wired properly. This would include an old farm house and a fairly modern house. Sometimes an incorrectly wired wall socket can operate without any apparent problem until you connect the type of device that requires the unique properties that really really need the socket to wired properly. There’s a very handy and inexpensive safety device that I highly recommend and its sold typically at most hardware stores. A wall socket checker looks a lot like nothing more that a replacement appliance plug with three lights. All you do is plug it into a wall socket and observe the lights. I highly recommend getting one of these.
You can use a pid to control a gas burner if you install a 24 vac gas valve with standing pilot. Install a pilot assembly on the burner and the gas valve and use the pid relay to activate the gas valve
I have to agree with most of the comments below. George you break it down, simple-stupid. 😂 I enjoy all of your videos and in fact on my kitchen island I have all of my components to build a PID. I learned how to from your videos. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Thanks for the informative video, I've managed to find an SSR with the same specs as yours. I'm left wondering could you wire two 3Kw elements to the load in parallel without issue? or would it be best to get two SSRs. I'd like to run them lower to avoid scorching.
George, thank you. Always very informative. I have to disagree and clarify that not all 220VAC is as you describe. I work overseas (Middle East) and the 220VAC comes in on a hot, neutral, and ground as well. Still it doesn't change the basic principles that you present. Very good presentation. Thank you
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing 19:59 you said the 240VAC system is two hots (180 degrees out of phase) and a ground, vs the one hot and one ground of q 120VAC system. My 240VAC service in Middle East is 240VAC one hot, one neutral and a ground
@@kentwilton You are correct. I pointed this out in another comment. Standard household 240VAC is 2 phase in North America and 1 phase in Europe (and elsewhere I see.)
Hello George, I built a 240V SSVR after studying your video. My SCR runs but the Potentiometer at zero produces 214V and at 100% 241V. I have the SSR-40VA and the Potentiometer is a RV24YN 20S B303. I had to buy them separately because I could not find them paired together since I wanted the 2W SSR since I am working with 240V for a 5500 W Element. Is this a problem with the Potentiometer? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this information. I was tearing my hair out trying to understand how mine was wired up. So if my SSR says 2w 470/560k ohm do I need a 2 watt potentiometer? Or can I get away with a 1/4 watt pot?
For having it work your explanation is very good! But please allow me to make a few corrections. When you use a SSR close to its limit, you MUST mount it on a cooling frame. Usuall the sellers from SSR's also sell these. When you do not want, or can not use a cooling frame, you should use a load lower then 50% from the load the SSR is rated for. In the power plant are created three phases. The Neutral pin goes in the ground. Depending on the system what is used (For example MEN) the neutral wire is connected every few 100 meter to the ground again. And in your house, before the meter your ground and neutral meter are also connected. (This applies for a MEN system, used in most countries of the world, but I have no idea what is used in USA). Because this, the neutral is not oscillating. I am sure also in USA neutral is not oscillating. Because also in USA the neutral is created at the power plant by a rod in the ground Because three phases are created in one revolution, the phase difference is only 120 degrees, and not 180 degrees like you say. The last allinea does not matter at all on how to connect it. The first allinea can be from some importance for your followers. Thanks for this great clip! Arjen.
George, I do like your videos, but DANGER, please add a warning to the start of the video. Especially since many are selling High Voltage 240V elements, proper respect / safety / skills of the wiring is paramount.
Hello! I built an element controller setup just as you described and added a voltmeter as well. I’m having problems with it cranking up to the max setting on its own regardless of where I have the potentiometer set. It seems like after a few minutes of it warming up it just automatically shoots up to full voltage. I’m not sure what is wrong with it.
Love your channel!!! Ok I can get long winded so will keep it short. Retired and with copd Dr put me on O2 so my blacksmithing and motorcycling is out. Looking for a new hobby and Grand dad was a moonshiner in prohibition so with the Covid want to make some "hand sanitizer" (wink, wink). Have a engineering background so tend to research and try and not make other ppls mistakes. Is there away I can message/email you as have questions.
Can I use a 240v 4700w element if I only have 120v available to use. Im just guessing I can, I just wont be using the element to it full potential wattage. Thoughts anyone?
Never mind. Watched another video and found the answer. Not making a still. Just want to keep my IBC that if filled with water from freezing. ThxQ for the great videos
Sir I have a question,once the mash temp gets to the 155 ° mark and the enzyme is mixed in do I keep the heat going at 155 or turn off the heat and let the mash cool down,,,thank you
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing ,thank you,if I may say you are a great teacher with a wonderful sense of humour,I enjoy and learn so much from your videos,from one veteran to another Thanks
This is an alternative to the pid. You could in theory use them together but you would just be dimming the power your pid has to work with and I can see no benefit to that for most people. If you sit there and actually play with both you will confuse your pid so badly it can't function
If you have a cloths dryer where you live you have a source for 240 power . Electric is so much safer than useing a open flame to produce a liquid so flammable .
FYI, I believe in Europe, their 220V/240V is single phase. Although you can cross wire if done correctly, your explanation would be North America-specific.
Thanks George just what I have been looking for but having a big problem trying to locate one and in doing so I found this and it works out just as cheap for Australians, this is the link www.kegland.com.au/4000w-power-station-240v-power-controller.html
Does anyone else watch George here and probably never make a drop of booze but he sure as hell beats what's on the news, I love your show here and foothills of Kentucky George,
I have a still and follow his instructions. I have made some kick-a** ethanol.
I'm in the foothills of KY also. I haven't made a drop of likker(liquor) but have made some easy hooch as an experiment. I'll be damned, a tiny sprinkle of yeast in a bottle of grape juice will be wine in 3 days 🤠 neat stuff and I totally agree I can't watch the news anymore. The way gas prices are I may be making some ethanal to go in my gas tank if it raises another dollar.
I'm looking forward to making an electric pot still.
George is the man
Does anyone know how to contact George now?
@@tommarshall9205 hes back on YT now
Thank you George!!! This is exactly what I was hoping for. I was unable to find the assembly (SSR/POT/Heatsink) but was able to piece this together from different sources.
Your videos have helped make this my favorite hobby! I hope that I will be able to produce a product even you would be proud of in the years to come. Thank you for sharing your rich knowledge.
As always George, Thank you so much for all that you do for the community.
My pleasure!
Your explanations lay things out so well and clearly, even novices can easily follow them safely. I've always believed that if you can't explain something so your grandmother can understand it, then you don't fully understand it yourself ! Just a couple of points though, a standard household dimmer is rated at 600w, useless to all of us. Lutron makes a 1500w and a 2000w dimmer, but these are very expensive. I used one of these to build my 1st. electric still years ago. I prefer this method, even above a PID controller. Simply because I will never leave a running still unattended. Kudos again George on another great video. Keep 'em coming !
George, you are amazing. Thanks for sharing the info. Dakota Coconut Rum. A special batch made in honor of my recently passed dog of 15 years. Dakota was a good boy.
I never imagined that learning the art of distilling would include Electronics 101! Perfect lesson Professor George! Gosh, how many hats do you wear?!?!
Absolutely the best! George for the win!
I usually don't mess with electricity but I was burned on my back when I was younger . I wouldn't run a hand sanitizer machine with a flame under it . I have everything mounted in a box and just need to wire it up . I also wanted to be clear on the ssr.40va if it could run both 110v and 220v .
This video answered my questions .
Thanks George you explained it perfectly .
I follow still it and he was talking about you some time back and that you weren't making content anymore. What ever the reason George alot of folks are gonna miss you . Hope all is well and God bless you and yours .
Thank you so much because I was looking into a PID but I really just want an interface like a gas torch knob. This variable SSR is the exact answer I was hoping for. Almost started saving for a VariAC! You've put my mind at ease, saved me money and now I can actually use the heating element I already purchased.
As a journeyman electrician this seems like a long rambling way to get the little bit of information I need but for a layman it is a very good and thorough explanation of the process and method. Very good instruction, you make a good teacher
who else wants a tour of Georges shop? You know theres gotta be more crazy mad scientist stuff going on when you see 3 bench vices in a four foot area!
Thank you George. Very useful sir and great breakdown on operation
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks George! I have been looking at buying this this type of set up but I didn't understand what parts I needed. Now I do!
Glad I could help!
I live ib madere ca I am a electrical engineer retired
GEORG explain it Beyer than me FANTASTIC ❤
Thank you, George. Love your videos, I am new to distilling, and you have helped answer so many questions.
Keep up the great informative videos, George.
Peter.
Following up, I built this and added it to the pid controller, my temp fluctuations dropped to only 3 degrees on either side of the target. Big time improvement for me.
You are the man!!! I knew there was a cheaper way to do it without the PID just haven't sat down and figured it out. Thanks!!
Glad I could help!
Thank you George, your videos are always good and informative. Best regards from Sweden.
Glad you like them!
The Last schematic you made is a single leg has a ground or neutral(depending on your system) it can supply power. And the way you had it you are only controlling powering on one leg of the 220/240 VAC So your element is only going 120/240. Not Ideal.
You have to switch your Neutral to control( As long as it does not go to ground)! Your system is hot all the time.
Idaho Leroy here. Hello George I'm wearing up exactly the same setup that you're describing in this video. Thanks for your help you really came through again. I'm glad you touched on the 240 volt option and your other video on 120 versus 240 is also excellent! You da man!!!! Curious as to what you did for a career?
Can you use the SSR-40VA on a 240v?
Hi George, as always, awesome. Quick question. What do you do with the ground on your load? Previous videos you clip the ground wire off and only have 2 wires on your element. Is this still the case?
I have clipped the ground in some cases. I did this on a heating element because the element has no ground lug. The ground in that case is an appliance ground like a stove or other appliance. I have also attached the ground to the outside of the still kettle.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing thank you George. I have the controller on the way!
More than once I have encountered wall sockets that haven’t been wired properly. This would include an old farm house and a fairly modern house. Sometimes an incorrectly wired wall socket can operate without any apparent problem until you connect the type of device that requires the unique properties that really really need the socket to wired properly. There’s a very handy and inexpensive safety device that I highly recommend and its sold typically at most hardware stores. A wall socket checker looks a lot like nothing more that a replacement appliance plug with three lights. All you do is plug it into a wall socket and observe the lights. I highly recommend getting one of these.
Great video , I like when you add a video all different income levels can use. KRM
You can use a pid to control a gas burner if you install a 24 vac gas valve with standing pilot. Install a pilot assembly on the burner and the gas valve and use the pid relay to activate the gas valve
Another great vid and informative! Really breaking it down hahaha
Great video. A child can understand this :-)
I have to agree with most of the comments below. George you break it down, simple-stupid. 😂 I enjoy all of your videos and in fact on my kitchen island I have all of my components to build a PID. I learned how to from your videos. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Great video. Can you explain why you need a 470K potentiometer specifically? Thanks Hayden
Thanks for the informative video, I've managed to find an SSR with the same specs as yours. I'm left wondering could you wire two 3Kw elements to the load in parallel without issue? or would it be best to get two SSRs. I'd like to run them lower to avoid scorching.
George, thank you. Always very informative. I have to disagree and clarify that not all 220VAC is as you describe. I work overseas (Middle East) and the 220VAC comes in on a hot, neutral, and ground as well. Still it doesn't change the basic principles that you present. Very good presentation. Thank you
That is exactly what I said.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing Someone was sleeping in the back I see.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing 19:59 you said the 240VAC system is two hots (180 degrees out of phase) and a ground, vs the one hot and one ground of q 120VAC system. My 240VAC service in Middle East is 240VAC one hot, one neutral and a ground
@@kentwilton You are correct. I pointed this out in another comment. Standard household 240VAC is 2 phase in North America and 1 phase in Europe (and elsewhere I see.)
Hello George, I built a 240V SSVR after studying your video. My SCR runs but the Potentiometer at zero produces 214V and at 100% 241V. I have the SSR-40VA and the Potentiometer is a RV24YN 20S B303. I had to buy them separately because I could not find them paired together since I wanted the 2W SSR since I am working with 240V for a 5500 W Element. Is this a problem with the Potentiometer? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
good stuff george!~
A 2000 watt heater with a light bulb in series will only allow the wattage of the light bulb to flow thru the heating element.
I need to build one of these for my still. All I am finding are motor speed controllers. But I assu.e it's the same thing correct? Just a restate
Thank you so much for this information. I was tearing my hair out trying to understand how mine was wired up. So if my SSR says 2w 470/560k ohm do I need a 2 watt potentiometer? Or can I get away with a 1/4 watt pot?
Thank you
George black wire is hot in North America..... Europe often uses Brown, Middle East uses Blue (I think on Middle East)
Thanks
Will that work on 240v elements?
Happy Distilling thx
For having it work your explanation is very good! But please allow me to make a few corrections. When you use a SSR close to its limit, you MUST mount it on a cooling frame. Usuall the sellers from SSR's also sell these. When you do not want, or can not use a cooling frame, you should use a load lower then 50% from the load the SSR is rated for.
In the power plant are created three phases. The Neutral pin goes in the ground. Depending on the system what is used (For example MEN) the neutral wire is connected every few 100 meter to the ground again. And in your house, before the meter your ground and neutral meter are also connected. (This applies for a MEN system, used in most countries of the world, but I have no idea what is used in USA). Because this, the neutral is not oscillating. I am sure also in USA neutral is not oscillating. Because also in USA the neutral is created at the power plant by a rod in the ground
Because three phases are created in one revolution, the phase difference is only 120 degrees, and not 180 degrees like you say. The last allinea does not matter at all on how to connect it. The first allinea can be from some importance for your followers.
Thanks for this great clip!
Arjen.
This was mounted on a heat sink
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing I missed that part. Probably because I am not native English speaking person. I am glad to learn I did see this wrong!!
Anyone know of a setup with an arduino and a dial where you can set the temp?
George, I do like your videos, but DANGER, please add a warning to the start of the video. Especially since many are selling High Voltage 240V elements, proper respect / safety / skills of the wiring is paramount.
How do you get two live wires in a three wires L,N,E. to made a 240 line.
Great and easier way to control your heat! Is that a mega still I see in the background?
Add an inline voltmeter so you can monitor the voltage.
Hello! I built an element controller setup just as you described and added a voltmeter as well. I’m having problems with it cranking up to the max setting on its own regardless of where I have the potentiometer set. It seems like after a few minutes of it warming up it just automatically shoots up to full voltage. I’m not sure what is wrong with it.
Hey George, I bought a brm-40DA solid state relay. Will it still work with a 240v setup? Thanks.
Love your channel!!! Ok I can get long winded so will keep it short. Retired and with copd Dr put me on O2 so my blacksmithing and motorcycling is out. Looking for a new hobby and Grand dad was a moonshiner in prohibition so with the Covid want to make some "hand sanitizer" (wink, wink). Have a engineering background so tend to research and try and not make other ppls mistakes. Is there away I can message/email you as have questions.
george.duncan76@gmail.com
How do you wire a heating element that has 2 tubes instead of 1and 4 posts instead of 2.
Just curious ? Would a electric guitar pot work ?
Thank you George!!!
This is the video I've been waiting for. My Amazon order is on the way.
Fantastic!
can i use this one to control SiC elements ?
g'day george if I already have the 40VA SSR, but can only get a 500k Ohm, 1/2W potentiometer, would that still work or will it cause an issue?
That would work.
What’s the difference between this with the SSR and the PWM controller?
Phase control -vs- pulse width
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing What are the advantages or disadvantages of this type of control vs PWM?
can you just ground the third one?
Can I use a 240v 4700w element if I only have 120v available to use. Im just guessing I can, I just wont be using the element to it full potential wattage. Thoughts anyone?
Never mind. Watched another video and found the answer. Not making a still. Just want to keep my IBC that if filled with water from freezing. ThxQ for the great videos
Just add a Digital Voltmeter Ammeter
Sir I have a question,once the mash temp gets to the 155 ° mark and the enzyme is mixed in do I keep the heat going at 155 or turn off the heat and let the mash cool down,,,thank you
You can turn off the heat and allow it to sit and work on its own. The conversion will take place way before it cools down.
@@BarleyandHopsBrewing ,thank you,if I may say you are a great teacher with a wonderful sense of humour,I enjoy and learn so much from your videos,from one veteran to another Thanks
This would be in place of a PID? Or in addition too?
This is an alternative to the pid. You could in theory use them together but you would just be dimming the power your pid has to work with and I can see no benefit to that for most people. If you sit there and actually play with both you will confuse your pid so badly it can't function
Instead of
@@findingfreeblade Thank you!
Love the video, but im too poor for a setup like that. L.p. only. Thanks for the video.
If you have a cloths dryer where you live you have a source for 240 power . Electric is so much safer than useing a open flame to produce a liquid so flammable .
True although it is 240 V the standard household is 120 V with service circuits for high power appliances like Stove, Dryer, Furnace etc. on 240.
Will a light dimmer switch work ?
Did you even watch the video?
Is the load just a two outlet plug 120
yes
Now you're talking George
First
Congrats u beat me
LOL
Second
FYI, I believe in Europe, their 220V/240V is single phase. Although you can cross wire if done correctly, your explanation would be North America-specific.
380/400V is 3-phased rotary current, 230V is single phased. Plugs, colors and wiring standards slightly differ from country to country.
Electricity for Dummies
Thanks George just what I have been looking for but having a big problem trying to locate one and in doing so I found this and it works out just as cheap for Australians, this is the link www.kegland.com.au/4000w-power-station-240v-power-controller.html
@michele wiltz Still dragon Australia do a kit with al this gear.
I bought mine off AliExpress - with AU plugs for half that price.
@@bradmcmahon3156 just looked at the web site looks like it's made in china, I do not buy made in china, thanks for the tip thow
Urm ..
UK lady is clueless ...
DD DC. Da Polarity
Get a man who understands .. lol