Before You Begin
The 7KPH ships in a cardboard carton. The N2 storage tank is a separate component sold with the system and is not integrated into the cabinet. All gas line regulators and pressure gauges are supplied by others and are not included with the system. The 7KPH is a wall-mounted unit only — there is no tank or floor-standing mounting option for this model.
Unpacking and Inspection
Carefully open the carton and inspect all components for damage upon receipt. Verify that all items on the packing list are present and undamaged. South-Tek Systems is not responsible for damage incurred during shipping. Document any visible damage immediately and report it to the carrier before contacting South-Tek Systems support.
Until installation, observe the following:
- Store the unit in a dry, climate-controlled environment between 60–80°F.
- Keep the unit in an upright position at all times, or in the box as shipped.
- Do not connect AC power until installation is complete.
- Keep all gas lines dry to prevent moisture from entering the generator at hookup.
- Do not place or stack objects on top of the cabinet.
Once the unit is mounted, remove the four (4) painted shipping bolts from the bottom of the cabinet before powering on.
Electrical Requirements
The 7KPH requires 110–125V or 220–240VAC / 50–60 Hz / 1-phase power depending on the voltage specified at time of purchase. The unit includes a built-in 20A circuit breaker and a standard 3-prong US power cord. The system is UL 508A ICP approved. Electrical schematics are available upon request.
Mounting
The 7KPH must be mounted to a weight-bearing wall capable of supporting its full weight, or secured to the floor so it cannot move or tip due to compressor vibration. Install the system indoors in an upright position in an environment between 40–90°F, away from heat sources, steam, and water. Leave at least 6" on the left side of the cabinet for ventilation and 36" of clearance in front for access to the control panel, connections, and front cover. The 1/4" OD drain port on the bottom right of the cabinet should be plumbed to the nearest floor drain.
Optional Wall Mounting Bracket Kit (STS Part #A05-TYP1-RD)
The optional bracket kit allows mounting on a standard 16" wall stud spacing. The kit contents are listed below.
| Item | STS Part # | Description | Qty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 800-133 | 13" Mounting Bracket | 1 |
| 2 | 800-134-B | 18" Mounting Bracket | 1 |
| 3 | 800-129 | Lower Wall Mount Bracket | 1 |
| 4 | Misc | 0.250"-20 x 0.750" Carriage Bolt | 2 |
| 5 | Misc | 0.250"-20 x 0.750" Hex Cap Screw | 2 |
| 6 | Misc | 0.250" Nylock Nut | 4 |
| 7 | Misc | 0.250" Flat Washer | 2 |
All mounting holes are for 1/4" screws or anchors. Install brackets in the orientation shown in the installation drawing included with the unit.
- Attach the 13" cabinet-mounting bracket to the top flange of the cabinet using the supplied hex cap screws and Nylock nuts.
- Mount the 18" wall bracket at the desired height and level using fasteners appropriate for your wall material (wood, sheet metal, or masonry). The bracket has 16" center-to-center holes for direct stud mounting. If studs are not at 16" centers, install 1/2" or thicker plywood backing before hanging the system.
- Attach the 18" lower bracket to the bottom flange using the carriage bolts and nuts. Do not fully tighten yet — the rectangular slots allow slight offset adjustment after installation.
- Hang the cabinet from the top bracket centered, then secure the bottom bracket. The cabinet must have at least 6" clearance on either side for ventilation.
N2 Storage Tank Setup
The storage tank is sold separately and must be assembled and secured to the wall before connecting to the generator. Use the parts listed below. Secure the tank to the wall using the tank strap assembly before making any gas connections.
| Item | STS Part # | Description | Qty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 800-111 | 100# White Tank w/ Label | 1 |
| 2 | A01-0100-A | 100# Tank Strap Assembly | 2 |
| 3 | 005-039 | Tank Manifold w/ 0.250" Fittings | 1 |
| D1 | 800-245-A | Tank Manifold | 1 |
| D2 | 124-308 | 0.250" NPT M x F Ball Valve, Brass | 2 |
| D3 | 124-335-A | 0.250" Safety Relief, 115 PSIG | 1 |
| D4 | 124-125 | 0.250" NPT x 02.000" 1–160 PSIG Gauge | 1 |
Cabinet Port Layout
All gas connection ports on the 7KPH cabinet are 1/2" NPT Female. Verify all connection locations against the installation drawing included with the unit before opening any valves or turning on the system. The N2-GEN™ 7KPH has a single N2 output only — the CO2 inlet and blend output ports are not present on N2-GEN models.
Gas Line Installation
Use Teflon tape or equivalent thread sealant on all fittings. Use only quality beverage-grade tubing and fittings rated for the operating temperature and pressure of the system.
Install an on/off isolation valve on each individual gas line. This is required for troubleshooting and servicing. Never detach a pressurized line before closing its isolation valve. Never depressurize a keg — always shut off the valve and remove the tap from the keg before changing or servicing gas lines.
If the BeerBlast™ blender is included, connect the customer-supplied CO2 source to the CO2 inlet port. CO2 inlet pressure must be between 70–100 PSIG, with 75 PSIG recommended.
Two condensate drain ports are located on the bottom right of the cabinet. Plumb both drains to a floor drain or collection point. Failure to do so creates a slip hazard.
N2 Cylinder Backup (Optional)
A backup N2 cylinder can be connected to the N2 Out port to supply nitrogen in the event of a power outage or generator issue. The backup cylinder feeds through the blender when one is present, maintaining the correct gas blend to the beverage lines.
To install a backup cylinder:
- Fit the cylinder with a high-pressure regulator and ball valve on the output. Regulate to 75 PSIG. Use a lockable ball valve and label it "Backup Use Only."
- Connect the regulated output to the N2 Out port on the generator.
- When the backup system is opened, it will fill the N2 storage tank and maintain blender pressure with nitrogen.
Startup Procedure
- Confirm all gas connections are complete and all fittings have been made with Teflon tape or equivalent sealant. Double-check all connection locations against the installation drawing before proceeding.
- Connect the generator to the storage tank, then connect the storage tank output to the beverage system.
- Turn on the power switch located on the upper left side of the cabinet on the control panel. The controller will automatically determine the appropriate run mode and display it on screen.
- Slowly open the system's on/off valve.
- You will hear air rushing through the system as N2 begins filling the storage tank.
- If you hear a leak or suspect a bad connection, close the valve immediately and make corrections before proceeding.
- If a leak is found within the cabinet, remove the cover to locate it. Use only factory-supplied parts for any repairs. Contact South-Tek Systems support if needed.
- The initial startup will require up to one hour to fully pressurize the storage tank. Monitor the external pressure gauge to verify the tank is filling. Once the tank reaches the cut-out pressure for your model, the system will enter Standby mode automatically. The compressor will cycle off once the air tank reaches cutout pressure.
- When N2 is drawn from the system and tank pressure drops to the cut-in threshold, the pressure switch will automatically restart the generator and recharge the tank. No field adjustment to the pressure switch is required or permitted.
PLC Controller Overview
The 7KPH uses an integrated PLC controller that is fully pre-programmed — no user configuration is required or permitted. Do not attempt to modify the program. Doing so will void the warranty. If a program failure occurs, cycle power first. If the issue persists, contact South-Tek Systems support.
Two controller generations have been used on this model. Identify your controller before performing any filter reset or alarm response procedure.
TWIX Controller (Current — MiniPSA v7 and later)
| Display | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Run | Generator is operating. Nitrogen is filling the storage tank. The system will remain in this mode until the tank reaches the cut-out pressure and transitions to Standby. |
| Stdby | Storage tank is at pressure. The system will remain in Standby until tank pressure drops to the cut-in threshold, then return to Run automatically. |
| FAlm | Filter alarm. Triggered at 1,000 run hours or 12 months, whichever comes first. Replace filters and reset the timer. See the Annual Filter Replacement article for this model. |
| BOff | BlastOff alarm. The system has been in Run mode for 9 consecutive hours without reaching Standby. See the BlastOff™ Leak Detection System article for troubleshooting steps. |
To reset the filter alarm after replacing filters, press and hold the Filter Change Reset button (F2) on the electrical panel for 10 seconds. The display will return to normal run status once the timer is reset.
Panasonic FP-e Controller (Older Units)
| Display | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Run | Generator is operating and filling the storage tank. |
| StdBy | Storage tank is at pressure. System is waiting for pressure to drop before restarting. |
| FILtr | Filter alarm. Replace filters and reset the timer per the Annual Filter Replacement article for this model. |
| b.OFF | BlastOff alarm. See the BlastOff™ Leak Detection System article for troubleshooting steps. |
To use the Panasonic controller buttons, the unit must first be unlocked. If the display shows "LOCK," press and hold the Mode Select Button to unlock (repeat to re-lock). Once unlocked, switch to "S" (Switch) mode by pressing the Mode Select Button until the System Mode Indicator shows "S." This enables two functions:
- BlastOff® Simulation (Button 5) — Hold for 3 seconds to simulate a BlastOff alarm and trip the dry contact output (if installed) for 2 seconds. Use this to verify alarm wiring at startup.
- Filter Change Reset (Button 0) — After replacing filter elements, press and hold for 7 seconds. An audible beep and "reSet" on the display confirm the 1,000-hour filter timer has been reset.
Checking for Leaks
Perform a leak check after startup and any time a leak is suspected. Begin by listening for audible leaks around all connection ports. The BlastOff™ system will alarm automatically after 9 hours of continuous runtime, indicating a sustained downstream leak.
To determine whether a leak is inside or outside the cabinet:
- With the unit powered on, close all output gas valves. If no ball valve is installed on the output ports, remove the gas lines and install plugs.
- Allow the system to continue running. Within one hour it should reach Standby mode.
- Wait five minutes. If the system remains in Standby, the leak is downstream — check all gas lines from the cabinet to the keg system.
- If the unit returns to Run mode, the leak is inside the cabinet. Proceed to the cabinet leak procedure below.
To locate a leak inside the cabinet:
- Open the front cabinet door and locate the N2 storage tank.
- Close the output ball valve on the tank (upper ball valve on the red manifold).
- Monitor the exterior pressure gauge for 60 seconds. If pressure is dropping, the leak is between the output ports, the blender (if present), and the closed tank valve. Use a spray bottle with soapy water on non-electrical components to locate the leak. Fix and recheck.
- If pressure is not dropping, close the input ball valve on the tank (lower ball valve on the red manifold) with the unit still running.
- Within five minutes, the system should enter Standby mode. If it does not, contact South-Tek Systems support.
- Once in Standby, wait 60 seconds. If the system returns to Run mode, the leak is between the check valve and the output ball valve on the tank.
- If the system remains in Standby, contact South-Tek Systems support for further assistance.
Starting and Stopping the System
To start the system, turn on the power switch and confirm all gas line valves are open.
Normal shutdown does not require powering down the unit — simply close the gas line valves. The system will cycle down on its own. Powering off is not required for routine stops.
Related Articles
| Article | Applies To |
|---|---|
| Safety Guidelines — BeerBlast™ / N2-GEN™ | All models |
| Annual Filter Replacement — 7KPH / 14KPH | 7KPH, 14KPH |
| BlastOff™ Leak Detection System | All models |
| Pressure Troubleshooting | All models |
| Power Troubleshooting | All models |
| Product Overview & Model Guide | All models |
Contact South-Tek Systems
Phone: (910) 415-1880
Email / Ticket: support@southteksystems911.zendesk.com