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Author Topic: stir plate vortex  (Read 7988 times)

Offline jgourd

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stir plate vortex
« on: February 19, 2010, 01:17:46 pm »
First homemade stir plate in a cigar box.  Cost: $5 (the 1" stir bar).  Computer PSU fan with hard drive magnet.  Powered by another computer PSU converted to a benchtop PSU.  Current output voltage to fan is 7V (10V is too fast; the stir bar spins off).  Does this look like enough vortex for a 2L sample (in a 1gal. jug)?





And this vortex for a 1L sample in a 1L flask?


Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2010, 01:22:36 pm »
Does this look like enough vortex for a 2L sample (in a 1gal. jug)?

Yes you do not need to have big vortex. All you want is small dimple (1" or so) in the top of liquid.
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Offline eric

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2010, 03:04:20 am »
Do you need to use a food grade stir bar? Or will any magnet do?

Offline dhacker

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2010, 05:15:51 am »
Do you need to use a food grade stir bar? Or will any magnet do?

Stir bars are designed to be nearly friction free devices. They are Teflon coated for a reason! The bars with a ring in the middle or the dumb bell variety providing the least friction. Doubtful you'd ever get just any dual pole bar magnet to turn. Plus, a raw ceramic magnet could shed and sanitizing heat for any other type of magnet could damage the magnetic field.

Bottom line . . Just spring for the right device!  ;)
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Offline jgourd

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2010, 06:45:15 am »
I use a 1" stir bar I bought for about $4.  It works great!  I tried a paper clip when testing and it didn't always work; I was worried.  In any event, once I tried the stir bar, all was fine.  I've never had a problem with mine, and I've made 10 starters with it so far.

Offline a10t2

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2010, 12:28:23 pm »
What style stir bar are you using? The only thing holding me back from building a stir plate was that I'd have to get a big ol' flask, but if there's one that will stay centered on a convex bottom...
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Offline dhacker

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2010, 01:03:30 pm »
What style stir bar are you using? The only thing holding me back from building a stir plate was that I'd have to get a big ol' flask, but if there's one that will stay centered on a convex bottom...

These dumbbells stay centered perfectly in a gallon jug. No need for a 4 or 5 liter flask. Problem is it's $85 for 10 of them. A group of 5 brewers went in a couple of months ago to split up a 10 pack purchase of two each. Perhaps others here would want to do the same. 

 http://www.stirbars.com/magnetic-stirbar-prices.htm#barbell
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Offline yugamrap

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2010, 08:09:29 pm »
What style stir bar are you using? The only thing holding me back from building a stir plate was that I'd have to get a big ol' flask, but if there's one that will stay centered on a convex bottom...
I have a 2" bar with the ring in the middle.  It works fine in a cheapo 1-gallon Carlo Rossi wine jug with a convex bottom.  This pic is just a 1.75 L starter, but it works fine all the way up to a full gallon.

...it's liquid bread, it's good for you!

Offline a10t2

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2010, 09:07:59 pm »
Awesome. I put together the LM317 circuit tonight, and got a set of 1"-2.5" stir bars on eBay. Now I just need to decide which hard drive to pull apart, and find/buy a box to put the thing in.
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Offline jgourd

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2010, 06:45:45 am »
What style stir bar are you using? The only thing holding me back from building a stir plate was that I'd have to get a big ol' flask, but if there's one that will stay centered on a convex bottom...

One like this one.

Offline a10t2

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2010, 11:39:16 pm »
After trying and failing to get good results with a HDD magnet, I broke down and bought a pair of neodymium magnets that are roughly the size of watch batteries and rated for 4 lb of lift apiece. Works like a charm now.

The photo is with a 1" stir bar with ring, running at about 6 V.


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Offline jgourd

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2010, 06:33:36 am »
After trying and failing to get good results with a HDD magnet, I broke down and bought a pair of neodymium magnets that are roughly the size of watch batteries and rated for 4 lb of lift apiece. Works like a charm now.

The photo is with a 1" stir bar with ring, running at about 6 V.



Ha!  I love your container!  Looks good.

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2010, 11:04:29 am »
After trying and failing to get good results with a HDD magnet, I broke down and bought a pair of neodymium magnets that are roughly the size of watch batteries and rated for 4 lb of lift apiece. Works like a charm now.

The photo is with a 1" stir bar with ring, running at about 6 V.



I also have questionable results with HD magnets.
It sort of works but not that well :)
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Offline a10t2

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2010, 07:54:49 pm »
Ha!  I love your container!  Looks good.

I actually had a moment of embarrassment about using a clear container because of the blue LEDs in the case fan (while I don't think I ever deliberately bought one, all three I had laying around had LEDs). But now I kind of think it looks cool, and spared me three extra solder points for a power indicator. ::)

Plus buying a new piece of Tupperware would have doubled the cost of the project.
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Beer is like porn. You can buy it, but it's more fun to make your own.
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Offline roffenburger

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Re: stir plate vortex
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2010, 10:02:38 am »
I was surprised to find neodymium magnets at michaels craft store for only about a dollar each. I bought 2 two-packs and use two (stacked) on each side of the fan.

Edit: I guess it was a 4-pack for a a couple dollars. Here is the link.

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=gc0468
« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 10:04:12 am by roffenburger »
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