Paintball CO2 too much pressure?

[FunkyMonk]

Hey everyone...

dialing in my paintball setup!

I have a 20oz paintball tank going into a on/off valve with pressure gauge on one outlet and a brass needle valve controlling flow going to a up aqua ceramic disc diffuser and bubble counter combo.

The gauge reads the usual 800 psi.

The problem I am having is that I have either not enough pressure where the second valve controlling flow is barely on, not getting any bubble count, or the unit is completely full on balls out going crazy. There seems to be no way to adjust the flow to get a 1 bubble for every 3 seconds like I am trying to do.

Do I need to regulate the pressure some other way?

Diffuser bad maybe? It is brand new.

Add another valve to control the flow even more?

Thoughts?

any help is appreciated!

[galabar]

Originally Posted by FunkyMonk

Hey everyone...

dialing in my paintball setup!

I have a 20oz paintball tank going into a on/off valve with pressure gauge on one outlet and a brass needle valve controlling flow going to a up aqua ceramic disc diffuser and bubble counter combo.

The gauge reads the usual 800 psi.

The problem I am having is that I have either not enough pressure where the second valve controlling flow is barely on, not getting any bubble count, or the unit is completely full on balls out going crazy. There seems to be no way to adjust the flow to get a 1 bubble for every 3 seconds like I am trying to do.

Do I need to regulate the pressure some other way?

Diffuser bad maybe? It is brand new.

Add another valve to control the flow even more?

Thoughts?

any help is appreciated!

The problem with those non-regulated ASA valve setups, besides being extremely dangerous, is that they come with very cheap needle valves (often a Watts needle valve rated at only 400 psi).

These cheap needle valves are very hard to adjust. In addition, since there is no regulator, if you go too far with the needle valve, you can almost instantly bring the pressure in the system very high.

Also, without a regulator, you are going to be effected greatly by room temperature swings (the paintball CO2 cylinder may range from 700 psi to 1100 psi depending on room temperature).

I would ditch the ASA valve and go with an actual regulator and quality needle valve (chalk up the cost to "Buyer Beware").

[freph]

Originally Posted by galabar

The problem with those non-regulated ASA valve setups, besides being extremely dangerous, is that they come with very cheap needle valves (often a Watts needle valve rated at only 400 psi).

These cheap needle valves are very hard to adjust. In addition, since there is no regulator, if you go too far with the needle valve, you can almost instantly bring the pressure in the system very high.

Also, without a regulator, you are going to be effected greatly by room temperature swings (the paintball CO2 cylinder may range from 700 psi to 1100 psi depending on room temperature).

I would ditch the ASA valve and go with an actual regulator and quality needle valve (chalk up the cost to "Buyer Beware").

What this guy said. You're basically playing with 1000psi controlled by a single valve that's not very precise. Not going to bash anyone on here that sells these setups I'll just offer my experiences. I had to hit mine with pliers to adjust it and even then it's quite finicky. I've blown a diffuser off multiple times and I recently blew a patch of HC/soil out of my tank that had to be replanted just by tapping it a tiny bit too hard. Regulators are dirt cheap anyway. I got a new good quality single stage regulator for $20 shipped yesterday on eBay. Only thing I needed to do was put a different connector on it ($5.88 for nipple and nut at local Airgas), buy a paintball->CGA320 adapter ($16.99) and a post body kit (mine was $45 shipped for a solenoid and good needle valve combo...you can get them cheaper), some tubing and a diffuser ($10 or so). Bubble counter is optional but you can get them cheap to pricey depending on what brand/quality you go with...or you can DIY one with a bottle.

[Jeff.:P:.]

100% agreed here..need regulator

Originally Posted by galabar

The problem with those non-regulated ASA valve setups, besides being extremely dangerous, is that they come with very cheap needle valves (often a Watts needle valve rated at only 400 psi).

These cheap needle valves are very hard to adjust. In addition, since there is no regulator, if you go too far with the needle valve, you can almost instantly bring the pressure in the system very high.

Also, without a regulator, you are going to be effected greatly by room temperature swings (the paintball CO2 cylinder may range from 700 psi to 1100 psi depending on room temperature).

I would ditch the ASA valve and go with an actual regulator and quality needle valve (chalk up the cost to "Buyer Beware").

[galabar]

Originally Posted by freph

...I've blown a diffuser off multiple times and I recently blew a patch of HC/soil out of my tank that had to be replanted just by tapping it a tiny bit too hard. ...

I see more and more of these stories popping up. I guess folks either think it is their fault or they are too embarrased to mention it.

Thank you for sharing -- this can only help steer people in the right direction. If anyone else has horror stories to share about the ASA valve setup, please do.

[btimmer92]

no regulator = ticking time bomb... accident waiting to happen.

[FunkyMonk]

I have learned my lesson, I got a CO2 injection kit off of a guy in the power sellers forum. It was a piece. Spent all day working on it, cannot dial it in. Parts were cheap and had to replace a needle valve.

I am going with a CO2 regulator and solenoid. It just seems like the best way to go.

Buyer beware indeed...

[galabar]

Originally Posted by FunkyMonk

I have learned my lesson, I got a CO2 injection kit off of a guy in the power sellers forum. It was a piece. Spent all day working on it, cannot dial it in. Parts were cheap and had to replace a needle valve.

I am going with a CO2 regulator and solenoid. It just seems like the best way to go.

Buyer beware indeed...

At least you still have all your fingers.

[FunkyMonk]

I only had one blow out from the tank, first adjusting pressure and what not. That was fun. It was like playing actual paintball all over again. lol.

[carpalstunna]

what about these cheaper regulators, anyone have trouble with them? It would be everything you need, except maybe an adapter. Any have any bad experiences with them?

http://www.amazon.com/AQUATEK-Regula...3135117&sr=8-1

[btimmer92]

I would stay away from the aquatek because it does not have adjustable working pressure. I think a better alternative is the azoo

[FunkyMonk]

Good to know. Azoo seems like a good fit. What about the Milwaukee regulator setup with the bubble counter? Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by btimmer92

I would stay away from the aquatek because it does not have adjustable working pressure. I think a better alternative is the azoo

[Miles]

That's unfortunate, I just bought an aquatek....

[galabar]

You should be fine. The only time this is a problem is wnen you have a diffuser that requires more pressure than what the regulator can put out.


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[FunkyMonk]

Are there any known "stubborn" diffusers out there? What do you guys like?

Im thinking about going atomizer.

Thoughts....?