High pressure nitrogen vs buying a compressor

[Willie14228]

True, I should have clarified the statement, however if the manufacturer finds that the warranty claim was due to over pressure or something that could have been caused by being over filled and you may have a problem.

Dont get me wrong I have been thinking along the same lines, I live in Texas up by all the farmers shoot I can walk to a welders supplier.

But if I did so (when I can slip the money past my wife to get a pcp) I would want to make sure and get a good regulator.

i haven't ever had a tank burst on me but I have had a truck tire do so and let me tell ya that will get your attention darn quick. 

 

[Sonadavinci]

Wow, I’m looking at getting into PCP airgunning because shooting powderburners in my area is so difficult. I have wanted to shoot more, not less. So I’m in shock when looking into the PITA factor for what I’m beginning to see is an exclusively expensive hobby. Just to power the gun I’m looking at equipment that is more expensive than the gun itself, -with either a $1200 step-up h.p. compressor to add to my existing air compressor, or an ongoing “subscription” type contract for a 6000psi tank (which I’ve still not found a local supplier for) plus $500 for regulators, and several hundred more if I want a portable carbon fiber tank to take into the field, - and this all without the rifle yet! You can easily get into reloading for this cost, or buy a couple of class III suppressors! Makes me think that I should stick to a springer like I had decades ago. ?

 

[oldsparky]

I don't believe any manufacture could void a warranty if a person uses N2 and fills properly with a regulator. our atmosphere is almost 80% N2 so we all use N2 to some extent.


Jim

 

[csexton]

My local dive ship charges $21, to fill to 4500psi. Have purchased small 2 stage compressor but that to is a constant challenge keeping it running :*)

 

[fr8rbum747]

I have been following this post and can not believe some of the comments about the use of nitrogen. I went to the expense of setting up a cascade system of three large "Whale" tanks from Joe that I fill with large 6000 psi Nitrogen tanks that are delivered to my home. I purchased all the fittings and gauges to handle the nitrogen from Joe as well and have had zero problems with my PCP Air Rifles. I also have one of the first Omega super chargers that I purchased from AOA and still occasionally use it to fill a Guppy tank when I am at my camper away from my home. 
Any and all High Pressure Air systems are inherently dangerous. You simply must take precautions and follow proper procedures when you work with them. The Nitrogen system works very well and the rifles when serviced are rust free since Nitrogen has no moisture. The Nitrogen gas is inert and I have found it to be the better system to use in these expensive PCP's. A decent Bauer compressor will set you back quite a few bucks but that is the part of the cost of enjoying this sport. 
The nitrogen setup I have put together for delivery to my cascade of three bottles was less than the cost of the Omega. That is the the Nitrogen Bottle rental, delivery fee, gauges for the nitrogen and micro hoses. The three storage bottles together cost near the the purchase price of a Daystate or Bauer Scuba compressor but I justify that cost with the ability to shoot and fill my PCP's and all my paint ball addict friends.
I was building and rebuilding CO2 pistols and rifles when I first discovered the advantages of HPA. My first HPA was a highly modified Crosman 2240 that I built and used a Benjamin hand pump to fill to the modest level of 1000 psi. The Benjamin Discovery was next and after investing way too much money into modifying it to be a tack driver with every mod that was out there, (BNM, Disco Double Tube, Marauder Trigger, BSA Barrel), I was hooked to the point that I needed lots of air and so came the the rest. I have 22 PCP's and Springer air guns at this time and enjoy each of them very much. It was all Ted Bier's fault, His Holdover channel, The South African videos and now a member of the Air Gun Nation....
Hi, my name is Jim...I am an airgunaholic....

 

[Kayakairgun]

I had to go compressor, Yong heng.
Most places around me only stock 2200psi bottles.
Prax air would not return my phone calls after finding out what I wanted to do with the nitrogen.
Airgas wanted 430$ just for the gas in the bottle. Pick up only, drivers not permitted in areas zoned residential. 

 

[chasdicapua]

I use the 6k large nitrogen tanks. Besides being completely dry, I don' need to worry about my compressor breaking or needing to rebuild it after some period of time. 

Chas

 

[badammo]

Instead of sending the N2 tank back with 3300 psi left in it couldn't you use a booster like a shoe box? You would have to regulate it down to 85 psi for the shoebox inlet, but you could use up a lot more of the N2 you paid for.

 

[sonny]

Have had my yong heng for 6 months,keeps my 109cu/ft cf tank filled 4500psi...replaced the water pump day 1 with a royobi wet tile saw pump from home depot. Keeps it cool (43c) with ice in the bucket of water. It takes about 30 mins to top it off from around 3200psi as its a very large tank. Fills my impact about 20 time before i top it off again.

 

[tibor]

its an option..and I like the idea as well ...
maybe leasing a smaller tank ..with lower psi is a choice?

 

[stoti]

For me the nitrogen option seems very reasonable. There is a gas company just down the road and the prices are fairly cheap. I've really been considering it as a viable option. Everyone that seem to be against using nitrogen mentions the 6000psi rating and how it's so dangerous...a bomb that could kill you. Why is 6000psi so much more dangerous than 4500psi?

 

[badammo]

Stoti the issue is over pressurizing what ever you are filling. Especially filling directly into an air rifle cylinder. The cylinder, seals and valving are not made to handle that kind of pressure.
They are little bombs if proper care and handling aren't followed.

 

[badammo]

Tibor, yes you could just use a standard N2 tank which are easier to find and the regulators are cheaper. I think a standard tank is 2400 psi and you can use all of it down to around 80 psi.

 

[oldsparky]

I am sure anyone using a N2 bottle would use a regulator and set it to the safe fill pressure of their gun. If anyone has a thought of not using a regulator. Please use a regulator if you value you, your gun or your loved ones. 

 

[N89]

This might be a numb question but I’m not scared to ask. Will nitrogen change the poi or is it the same? Will it change velocities?

 

[MountainGhost]

I just talked with Airgas in my hometown and they want $250.00 to fill a 250 cubic foot 6000 psi tank . Does this sound high to anybody. The lease on the tank will be over 100 per year.

 

[bandg]

I checked into nitrogen a couple of years back. Inconvenient and expensive in my area so it is not for everyone. If one can find it at a reasonable cost and doesn't mind handling the heavy tanks, then it probably is a great way to go. It just isn't that way for everyone. My local fire station filled my tanks also but not everyone has been able to find that locally. But almost anyone can afford a YH compressor (which I have used for over a year to top off a 97 cf tank) for around $500 with an external filter, or one of the other compressors a bit higher priced. As is most of life, all relative to the individual.

As an aside, I recently removed the valve to check the tank mentioned. ZERO moisture inside the tank.

 

[Steveguy]

Instead of sending the N2 tank back with 3300 psi left in it couldn't you use a booster like a shoe box? You would have to regulate it down to 85 psi for the shoebox inlet, but you could use up a lot more of the N2 you paid for.

I use an Extreme Booster Pump from Extreme Big Bore in combination with a couple Great White 97 cu ft carbon fibers to help drain my steel N2 cylinder down low.I lease a 494 cu ft steel Nitrogen cylinder from Airgas.The tank lease costs me bout $127 per year and then fresh tanks are about $137.Given the fact that I am mostly hunting and pest controlling the steel tank lasts me YEARS in between swaps now that I have that booster pump.I can drain the steel down to 1500 psi or so ,instead of having to swap it out at 3000 psi, like I used to before the booster pump.

 

[Steveguy]

I use an Extreme Booster Pump from Extreme Big Bore in combination with a couple Great White 97 cu ft carbon fibers to help drain my steel N2 cylinder down low.I lease a 494 cu ft steel Nitrogen cylinder from Airgas.The tank lease costs me bout $127 per year and then fresh tanks are about $137.Given the fact that I am mostly hunting and pest controlling the steel tank lasts me YEARS in between swaps now that I have that booster pump.I can drain the steel down to 1500 psi or so ,instead of having to swap it out at 3000 psi, like I used to before the booster pump.

 

[Steveguy]

This might be a numb question but I’m not scared to ask. Will nitrogen change the poi or is it the same? Will it change velocities?

No and no!