Overview
The BlastOff™ Leak Detection System is a patented feature included as standard on all BeerBlast™ and N2-GEN™ models. It monitors the downstream gas lines from the nitrogen generator to the kegs and triggers an alarm when it detects conditions consistent with a gas leak. When the alarm activates, the system shuts down automatically to prevent gas loss, CO2 depletion, and excessive compressor wear.
The most common causes of a BlastOff alarm are a loose or improperly seated keg coupling, a leaking beverage line fitting, or a leak somewhere along the downstream gas distribution system. On PLC-equipped models, the alarm can also indicate that the system is undersized for the current demand — see the Pressure Troubleshooting article if you suspect this is the case.
How BlastOff Works
On 1KPH and 3KPH models, BlastOff monitors gas line pressure and triggers when it detects characteristics consistent with a downstream leak. The alarm activates a buzzer and illuminates the red indicator light on the side of the generator, and the system shuts down until the issue is resolved and the unit is manually reset.
On 7KPH, 14KPH, and 14KPH-HO models, BlastOff triggers when the system has been in Run mode continuously for 9 hours without reaching Standby pressure. Under normal operation, the generator fills the storage tank and enters Standby within a reasonable cycle time. If the system cannot build to Standby pressure over 9 consecutive hours, this indicates that gas is leaving the system faster than the generator can replace it — most commonly due to a downstream leak, though an undersized system or an internal cabinet leak are also possible.
Alarm Identification
How the alarm presents depends on your model and controller generation.
| Model / Controller | Alarm Indication |
|---|---|
| 1KPH / 3KPH | Audible buzzer + red indicator light on side of cabinet. System shuts down. |
| 7KPH / 14KPH / 14KPH-HO — TWIX controller | Audible buzzer + BOff displayed on controller screen. System shuts down. |
| 7KPH / 14KPH / 14KPH-HO — Panasonic FP-e controller | Audible buzzer + b.OFF displayed on controller screen. System shuts down. |
Troubleshooting Procedure
Step 1 — Power Down and Inspect Downstream Lines
- Turn off the system's on/off power switch.
- Inspect all downstream gas lines and connections from the generator to the kegs. Check the following:
- Keg couplings — confirm each keg is properly tapped and the coupling is fully seated.
- Beverage line fittings and connections — listen and feel for escaping gas.
- Regulators — check for leaks around regulator bodies and connections.
- Use a soapy water spray bottle on non-electrical components to locate leaks. Bubbles will form at any leaking connection. Push-to-connect fittings may show small bubbles and have an acceptable leakage rate of up to 5 ccm — this is normal and does not indicate a problem.
- If a leak is found, repair it before proceeding. Once repaired, reset the system per the instructions below and return to normal operation.
Step 2 — Isolate the Cabinet to Confirm Leak Location
If no downstream leak can be found, use the following procedure to determine whether the 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 of the cabinet — inspect all gas lines from the output ports back to the keg system more thoroughly.
- If the unit returns to Run mode, the leak is inside the cabinet. Proceed to Step 3.
Step 3 — 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 soapy water spray bottle on non-electrical components to locate and fix the leak, then 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. Contact South-Tek Systems support for further assistance.
- If the system remains in Standby, contact South-Tek Systems support.
Resetting the BlastOff Alarm
Once the cause of the alarm has been identified and resolved, reset the system using the procedure for your model.
All Models
Turn the power switch off, then back on. This resets the BlastOff alarm automatically on all models. Do not reset the system without first identifying and correcting the underlying cause.
Optional BlastOff Alarm Output (Dry Contact)
On all models, the BlastOff system can be connected to an external dry contact output so the alarm can be relayed to a building management system (BMS) or remote monitoring panel. This is an optional field-installed feature. Contact South-Tek Systems support for wiring details.
On Panasonic FP-e controller units, the dry contact output can be tested at startup using the BlastOff Simulation function. See the Installation & Startup article for your model for instructions.
Related Articles
| Article | Applies To |
|---|---|
| Pressure Troubleshooting | All models |
| Power Troubleshooting | All models |
| Installation & Startup — 1KPH / 3KPH | 1KPH, 3KPH |
| Installation & Startup — 7KPH | 7KPH |
| Installation & Startup — 14KPH / 14KPH-HO | 14KPH, 14KPH-HO |
| Product Overview & Model Guide | All models |
Contact South-Tek Systems
Phone: (910) 415-1880
Email / Ticket: support@southteksystems911.zendesk.com