SAFETY WARNING: dangerous voltages are involved in this thread so please observe the appropriate precautions and only consider any practical work if you are experienced with high voltages.
Hi dernyarn,
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Hmm, interesting project.
You could use a variable resistor to control the temperature of your distiller but the variable resistor would be expensive, bulky, and would get very hot. A variable resistor approach would not be very accurate either. So the variable resistor approach is not recommended.
The simplest approach would be to use a thermostatic switch which is placed physically in the distillate (water). The thermostatic switch would then be wired in series with the element in the distiller. Possibly, you could get an adjustable thermostatic switch; I haven't checked.
But a Rolls Royce, super-accurate temperature controller would be electronic, either off-the-shelf or home-built.
I would imagine that you could even buy a distiller with temperature control already built-in.
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