Help with HPA Tank choices
Hey guys,
Nice Forum!
I’ve decided to jump into the PCP rifle fun, and have picked the AF TSS to get started.
I want to use a tank as my re-fill source and I need some advice on the best way to go….
I know many factors come into play such as portability, price, quantity etc.
I’ve gotten suggestions that the Luxfer 106 cu. 4350 PSI would be an ideal choice.
Price seems reasonable, but it is larger and heavier than some other choices.
My priorities are: Price – quantity – portability……..probably in that order. Thanks for any suggestions,
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Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
12 hours ago I’d never heard of any of this stuff! So, tell me if I’ve got it right……….
Looking around at airgun retailer sites can be a little misleading. They sell these CF high pressure 4500 PSI, 300+ Bar, tanks that have a DIN valve, then offer SCUBA adapters and SCUBA refill yokes. From what I can gather anything SCUBA related is “low pressure” 200 Bar stuff . To me that seems to defeat the purpose of high pressure 300+ Bar tanks. So the only advantage with this set-up is low weight and portability, not really taking advantage of the high pressure capability.
On the other hand, to go with a high pressure set-up means one must buy a DIN adapter fill hose and connector set-up for the gun’s bottle adaptor, not the AF scuba yoke accessory stuff.
And in addition to that, to refill the tank, would need to also get the fire-station fill adaptor, to get the high-pressure 4350-4500 psi, 300+ Bar fill.
In other words, to go high pressure, you need two set-ups , one to get a high pressure fill into the tank and another to be able to use it and fill your gun tank. Tell me if I’ve got all this right…?
And if I can’t find a high pressure refill source, then I’ll just have to get the 4500Psi capable tank filled to 3500?Psi at a dive-shop?
What kind of adaptor would a SCUBA shop use, that can-and-will do high-pressure fills? since a K-valve is for low pressure fills.
Holy Crap!
What a beautiful set up……
I am in Pasco.
I was kind of kidding with the ground squirrel offer. I don’t have much to offer locally. The ground squirrels I know of are quite a bit south and east of here (OR and ID), but I am always exploring new leads in this area, I know they are here, just have to find them and permission to shoot in the same place.
What I should have said is “I have the air if and I will travel for some good shooting” I can provide an unlimited air supply.
Having a good air supply does make longer trips feasible.
Rusty
Hey, Rusty, exactly where in S.E. WA are you located? That’s a sweet setup you’ve got there, I fill my guns with a high pressure industrial nitrogen cylinder. Like you, I haven’t gone through gas as fast as I expected, I’m still using the same tank I rented last August. BTW, I’m in Twisp, about 90 miles north of Wenatchee. You could probably talk me into coming down and shooting some ground squirrels :-). Seems the only person I ever get to shoot with is my brother, and since he’s in Monroe, that doesn’t happen very often. Later.
Dave
K-valve, while used for more occasionally, is only designed for 200-232 Bar (3000-3410) and you will have a hard time getting a tank with K-valve filled much higher.
Din is used up to 4500
FD’s have threads for LP tanks (2216) and for HP (4500) there are some 3000 as well, not sure which thread they have.
Get the tank that fits your needs, and get the adapter that you need for the place you fill.
I use mostly alum 80cf scuba tanks(3000psi) as I have a bunch of them already. I have a 40cf Carbon Fiber (4500) that I will use if I think I will need to refill a bunch.
I have found that I need to refill supply tanks less often than I thought I would.
If you are going to stick with just AF guns with the standard tank, then you don’t need an elaborate fill whip setup. I have a scuba clamp with AF adapter, no whip is needed. I do use quick connects so I can switch between fill adapters, and on my BSA gun it is nice to have a whip.
BTW I have a 5000psi 6cfm SCUBA compressor in my garage and 1767cf(4X444 @4500) of storage at 4750. I will not run out of air……I also have a 8.2cfm 3500psi portable gas powered compressor for road trips.
Anyone want to go shoot some ground squirrels.
Rusty
Thanks for the suggestions.
What would be best/least expensive source for a new Luxfer 106 ?
Also useful life of the tank plays a role in my choice too….The CF tanks have a shorter useful life than the hoop wrapped Luxfer right? Still trying to put this altogether.
Now for using the tank and getting it refilled….
Filling the gun; If I use the AF scuba clamp, then I need a K-valve on the tank, right? And if I choose a hose/adaptor setup for use, then a DINN valve?
Filling the tank….Depends on where I will be taking it.?….Dive shop can use the K-valve and Firestation needs an adaptor.
Should I get the AF scuba clamp or go with someone elses combo.?
See how this gets confusing……
If you can get high pressure fills…4300psi+
There are really only two good choices.
The Luxfer 106 cubic foot 4350 psi….heavy, still portable
or
A 88 cubic foot carbon fiber….light, expensive
Here is a fill calculator….
http://www.airhog.com/tank.htm
AF tank is 490cc
fill to 3000psi
refill at 2400psi
Good Luck and welcome…..
My next tank will be Carbon Fiber 88. The scuba tank I have is just too limited and unwieldy for 4 air-hungry rifles.
Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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Short answer for tonight is at a scuba shop you will be lucky to get above 3500 psi and almost all fill through a yoke (k-valve) type adapter, and adapt to DIN if necessary.
So, a scuba yoke will be your easiest solution, but you will be limited to around 3500psi.
There is a line, or two of intermediate pressure steel dive tanks that are rated at 3410psi.
On the other side of the Atlantic they are less worried about high pressure, using up to 4500 in scuba applications, no burst disks, etc…
Rusty