Rogue Valley MKIII

Obsidian said:

What would you do with a bunch 30gal trash bags stuffed with nug trim? I'm sitting on just over 10lbs of some quality nug trim.

This is what I asked my wife last week after I showed her what's left over from this years harvest after she saw me sitting here looking at MKIII plans and pics last week. She asked what it was, and after a long long 4 day discussion she gave me the go ahead to build a complete CLS over the next few months.
I'm a bit stoked to say the least. She always surprises me like this, and it's what I love about her, plus she loves Cannabis in all forms.

I just finished ordering all the parts a few moments ago. I used Glacier, Paramount, and Affordable Distillery Equipment.
Cost so far for all parts listed by Grey Wolf...$747.00US

I've purchased a 2.5 single stage 15 micron vacuum, and I'm looking at recovery pumps right now. so expensive.

Is there a way to get around not having to use a recovery unit until one can afford this tool?

You can run a Mk III passively.

Unlike the Lil Terp, you can't reflood the column by simply turning it upside down, because of the long dip tube, but you can run single passes and recover with it, just like the Lil Terp.

will not having a recovery pump affect the overall quality of the oils?

You can extract quality oil passively. You will need to finish it either way in vacuum chamber or oven.

I will post pics and more in the coming weeks.
this is going to be fun
Looking at vac chambers, a vac oven is later.

Grey Wolf, do you recommend a sight glass for the MKIII, if so what type, and place where?

I recommend only sight glasses that will meet ASME and NFPA-51 piping standards for the application.

I designed the WolfWurx Mk IV and V's to use a 730 psi John Ernst sight glass in the vent line, and LJ Star Metaglas 232 psi inserts in the lids. Alas the sum of the two is about what you already have in your Mk III.

There is no question that they are handy to tell when you've flooded long enough, and when to stop vacuuming making cotton candy, but one of the biggest joy of the Mk III, is its small size, simplicity, and budget price.

Complicating matters, there isn't much available real estate on the lid for a sight glass big enough to see much. You could find a place in the vent line for a John Ernst unit, but they are apparently so expensive in part because they are sold by weight.

I developed the process without sight glasses at either location, so they aren't a necessity. All you really need is a good compound pressure gauge, coupled with time and experience, but it takes less time and experience if you can see what is going on, rather than have to infer it.

Is it possible to install a pressure gauge into the system? I see pics of them on the t, is this possible or does this change the use of the MKIII when a pressure gauge is installed?

You will definitely need a compound pressure gauge. They attach by hose to the cross in the top of the Mk III lid. I keep mine on a hose, rather than solidly mounted to the lid, to keep it out of the water baths.
will post more questions if I can't find an answer.

Can't wait to get going here, so tired of non eco friendly tubes.

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Obsidian said:

Gray Wolf, can you explain the reasoning for the 2 different lid designs. I see them listed at Glacier under speciality end caps with the 1/4 and the 3/8 tubes set for different depths in the 6" ss.
why is this?

I bought the 1/4 as this is what it looked like in the assembly manual.
Was this the correct lid, if not I may have time to contact them and switch.

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