Applies to: Alkin W3 Series high-pressure air & gas boosters — W3-11-345-FP6B (15 HP), W3-15-345-FP6B (20 HP), and W3-18-345-FP6B (25 HP).
Site & utility requirements
Review these requirements before delivery so the installation site, feed supply, and electrical service are ready when the unit arrives. Meeting them is a condition of reliable operation and warranty coverage. Record the site values during commissioning (see the checklist at the end).
ℹ Note — This is a booster The W3 raises the pressure of an existing compressed-gas feed; it does not draw from atmosphere. A properly sized, dried, and filtered feed source is required for the unit to load and reach rated output.
Feed (inlet) air supply
- Feed pressure: 45–75 PSI at the booster inlet. A regulated, stable feed in this range is required.
- Feed volume: the feed source must supply enough flow to keep the booster loaded at its rated output. An undersized feed causes short-cycling and low output. Size the feed compressor and any inlet receiver to the booster's demand; contact South-Tek if you need help matching the feed to the model.
- Inlet receiver: an inlet air receiver (buffer tank) between the feed compressor and the booster is recommended to stabilize feed pressure. Record its size at commissioning.
- Inlet prefilter: record the booster prefilter model in service. The onboard P61 purifier provides particulate and coalescing oil-removal plus carbon oil-vapor filtration.
Feed air quality
Record the feed air quality at commissioning: particulate rating, dew point, and oil content. The onboard filtration handles particulate and oil carryover, but it does not remove bulk moisture.
▲ Attention — Dry the feed air Moisture carried into a high-pressure booster concentrates as pressure rises and accelerates internal corrosion and valve wear. A refrigerated or desiccant dryer upstream of the booster is strongly recommended. Drain the purifier condensate as directed in maintenance.
Environment & ambient conditions
- Operating temperature: 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C).
- Clean location: avoid chemical-laden or high-dust environments, which shorten filter and valve life. If the intake must be relocated to cleaner air, use suitable hose no longer than 10 ft (3 m) and protect an outdoor intake with a weather hood.
- Indoor preferred: if the unit is installed outdoors, it must have adequate protection from rain and the elements.
- Cold climates: for ambient temperatures below freezing, a crankcase heater option is available. Open a support ticket to discuss cold-climate provisions before install.
Ventilation & cooling
The W3 is air-cooled and rejects roughly 90–95% of the motor's electrical energy into the room as heat, so the space must be ventilated to carry that heat away and keep intake air cool. Ensure cooling air can flow freely around the enclosure and to the top-discharge cooling fan.
- Provide powered ventilation sized to remove the heat load; place exhaust fans high on an end wall with the fresh-air inlet on the opposite wall.
- Keep air velocity at the ventilation inlet opening below roughly 3–5 m/s, and size fans to overcome duct and louvre pressure drop.
- Do not block the enclosure air inlets or the top discharge fan.
Space, clearance & floor
- Clearance: maintain 3 ft (36 in) on all sides for cooling airflow and service access.
- Footprint: the unit is 38 × 50 × 67 in (W × L × H) and weighs approximately 1,760 lb. The floor must be able to bear this load.
- Level and stable: install on a flat, stable, level surface with all feet in contact. Slope must not exceed 10° in any direction. Anti-vibration shock mounts are built in, so no special foundation or anchoring is required.
Electrical service
- Supply voltage: match the motor and data nameplate. Tri-voltage configurations (including 480 V) are available; always verify the actual unit's nameplate before wiring.
- Disconnect & protection: install a wall disconnect switch with magnetic protection rated above the motor full-load current.
- Wire & fuse/breaker sizing: select wire, fuses, and breaker to the motor full-load current per applicable codes.
- Grounding: a proper earth/ground connection is required. Verify the grounding line before startup.
- Rotation: confirm correct flywheel rotation (per the arrow) at startup. Reversed rotation stops cooling airflow and lubrication and will damage the unit if run.
Discharge & piping
⚠ Warning — High-pressure discharge Discharge piping to the fill panel, receiver, or point of use must be properly sized stainless-steel pipe rated for the full output pressure (up to 5000 PSI) and installed in full compliance with all applicable codes. Undersized or unrated piping can fail under pressure.
- Discharge receiver: size the high-pressure storage/receiver to the application. Record its size at commissioning.
- Condensate drain: route a drain line from the silencer/condensate fitting to a suitable container or drum, secured against whipping.
Commissioning data to record
Capture these values at startup for the service record:
- Feed compressor model and flow rate (CFM); feed load/unload pressure
- Inlet receiver (tank) size; booster prefilter model
- Feed air quality: particulate rating, dew point, oil content
- Ambient temperature (min/max); indoor/outdoor and protection
- Clearances (left/right/front/rear)
- Supply voltage (full-load and no-load); motor amperage; breaker/fuse size
- Discharge receiver size; regulated output pressure
Related articles
- Alkin W3 Series Booster — Overview
- Alkin W3 Series Booster — Installation
- Alkin W3 Series Booster — Startup & Commissioning
Need help? South-Tek Systems Service — Phone: (910) 415-1880 · Open a support ticket at support@southteksystems911.zendesk.com or through the Help Center. For any service, parts, or factory-related questions, please open a support ticket and have your model and serial number ready.