Alkin W31 vertical. Manual or auto version?

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20TAC

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Jun 4, 2021
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Saskatchewan, Canada
Hi, 

New member of the forum. I have been reading articles and advice here for some time. I currently own an FX royal 400 and my dad has a FX royal 400 and 500. We both fill off of 88cuft 4500 PSI tanks.

So I am planning to order an Alkin W31vertical compressor to more than fill my air requirements. Probably do much more shooting when I can fill myself and not travel 2 hr for air.

Trying to decide between the manual version or the auto start/stop with auto drains. Both my Canadian dealer and Alkin both recommend the manual version as I will be filling 1 or 2 tanks on an intermittent basis. I do like the idea of auto start/stop for filling as one less thing to think about when filling if the unit shuts itself off. 

I see on the forums a few people have the auto versions and a few with manual versions. I do like and have read the 'Alkin W31- My personal review' many time and seems the auto version is very nice.



Just looking for peoples opinions and personal experiences with both in hopes it helps me decide.

I plan to place my order this Monday if things go well.



Thanks for all the help.
 
I own an Airetex 45 which is for the most part Alkin. I opted for the manual drain and the manual shut off. Very seldom will you be walking away from a fill that will just take a few minutes. I chose to be the captain of my ship and closely monitor the filling process. The more options you get, the more there is to worry over. Just my 2 cents worth. You can't go wrong with the Alkin, and in mostly likely instances, it will outlast your uses. Mine is 5 years old and has all of 18 hours on it. I fill tanks for about 6 or 7 shooting buds and they reward me with pellets and such. Remember, sometimes less = more.

Herb
 
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I would go for the auto drain. My next compressor will have an auto drain feature. I don't babysit my compressor, but do check on temps when having to go out and purge the drain every 5-10 minutes. It's hard to gauge manually just how much to let out each time, which prolongs the filling time with wasted air. A nice adjustable auto purge cycle would be much better. Auto shutoffs are nice as well. I'd rather be away from the filling of large tanks as much as possible, just in case. Also, if you are going for a nice compressor, then get a nice compressor...
 
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I own the Alkin W31 manual version. It is all you need. It fills so fast that the auto drain is only ever used when filling a 6.8 or 9 liter tank from zero. How often do you do that? Once a year or less? A refill from 3K psi will take 5-8 minutes depending upon the tank size. It only requires the lines to be purged after the fill is complete. I set my phone's alarm for every 12 minutes when I fill a tank from zero and purge once or twice at most. As far as the auto shutoff, it isn't a necessity either. The compressor has a pressure relief valve set at 4500 psi. If you aren't monitoring your fill and the compressor reaches 4500 psi it will vent the excess pressure until you stop the compressor.

On slower filling compressors these two features are desirable if you don't wish to sit through a 45 minute or longer fill. But on the W31, the extra cost of these features is kind of an unnecessary luxury since it fills so fast. Save your money. The manual version is the way to go for the occasional user like most of us.
 
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@Humdinger, Thanks! Good to know regarding the Alkin W31 That's the thing an AV-4500 owner likes reading. Mine can take up to 40-45 minutes to top off from say 2600 to 4500 on a 6.8 liter. About 25 minutes from 3000 to 4500, but it is five years old now. I am not sitting in a hot garage to babysit it. When it does finally let go I will be wanting to upgrade.
 
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I have the W31 vertical with the automated shutoff and drain. In hindsight, manual would be just fine. I bought the auto features because I was accustomed to fills taking a while, and didn't want to babysit. Not the case with Alkin - fills are quick and "babysitting" would be just fine. As is, I am well-prepared for the day 20 friends show up wanting their tanks filled. Barring that, manual is just as good.

GsT
 
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Appreciate all the advice about this. I am leaning towards the manual version as there are less things to potentially cause problems. Less electronics and solenoids. Just some simple manual drain valves. 

But the auto version would be handy for stepping away while running for a safety aspect. But I have doubts about a carbon fibre tank failing in a bad way.

Would be nice to have the auto pressure stop only and not the auto drain. But it's an all or nothing option.

Couple more days then I will be fully committed either way and waiting for the delivery truck.



Might even open some options for larger calibers as air won't be an issue.
 
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Appreciate all the advice about this. I am leaning towards the manual version as there are less things to potentially cause problems. Less electronics and solenoids. Just some simple manual drain valves. 

But the auto version would be handy for stepping away while running for a safety aspect. But I have doubts about a carbon fibre tank failing in a bad way.

Would be nice to have the auto pressure stop only and not the auto drain. But it's an all or nothing option.

Couple more days then I will be fully committed either way and waiting for the delivery truck.



Might even open some options for larger calibers as air won't be an issue.
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I thought so too, but unless you're filling a tank from empty, you won't be stepping away - it's just that *fast*. 



GsT
 
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Appreciate all the advice about this. I am leaning towards the manual version as there are less things to potentially cause problems. Less electronics and solenoids. Just some simple manual drain valves. 

But the auto version would be handy for stepping away while running for a safety aspect. But I have doubts about a carbon fibre tank failing in a bad way.
....
Click to expand...

An adjustable auto-stop would be a nice convenience but it's not really a safety issue in that case. The better compressors (Alkin/Bauer/Coltri) typically have safety valves. Once maximum safe pressure is reached, the compressor bleeds off any excess while continuing to run. The manual-stop versions won't stop automatically, but they won't blow up a CF tank.


 
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Yep...

I'm that guy.....horizontal model W31, all bells and whistles, can't sit still, impatient...and yes...my spoiled ass wanted a set it and forget it....and who know what the future will bring? I will concur, with everyone else though....the Alkin steals my "sashay away" thunder, because it fills 88Cf from 3000 ish to 4500 psi so damn quickly (5-7 minutes)

DJ
 
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@DJBriez, just curious...That sounds like a hot tank fill result, being so fast to fill. What do you say? My AV 4500 cools the output air through a series coils being hit by the motor fan. My tank, once filled, is barely even warm to the touch leaving me with a full fill later on.
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It's not a hot fill but more of a complete fill. My tank is never warm and the pressure remains constant after filling.
 
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@DJBriez, just curious...That sounds like a hot tank fill result, being so fast to fill. What do you say? My AV 4500 cools the output air through a series coils being hit by the motor fan. My tank, once filled, is barely even warm to the touch leaving me with a full fill later on.
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It's not a hot fill but more of a complete fill. My tank is never warm and the pressure remains constant after filling.
Click to expand...

Thanks...Sounds about the same in that regard then. I remember the scuba shop fills before the AV. Those fills, though fast, really heated up the tank with disappointment to follow in value received later on.
 
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