HPA Tank Question

[tosouthern66]

Fellow AGN members

Need some info on tanks. I found an paintball field that can fill tanks to 4500psi. They informed me as long as the tank has a gauge and the right connector they can fill it for me. My question is: Do the tanks have the same fill port as paintball HPA tanks? I have no knowledge of this stuff, I am learning as I go. I have not bought a tank yet but am looking. Currently I have a Maximus .22 and a hand pump. 

 

[Jack.K]

First knowing your gun use a male 1/8 inch foster style quick connector and the hand pump fills the gun with a female 1/8 inch foster quick connector. When you get your tank you will need a fill hose ending with the same 1/8 inch female foster quick connector same as your pump. What you will need to purchase is a male to male 1/8 inch foster adapter like this.

to connect your tank to the fill station. I have my own scuba compressor and it is setup with the same way so I connect my tank to the compressor with the same type of male to male adapter. Hope this gives you some idea.

Jack

 

[tosouthern66]

Thanks for the info. I just dont know what type fitting they have on the fill station at the paintball field. If it was CO2 I would know but HPA I am new at.

 

[tosouthern66]

Let me ask this question. Since you said I need a male foster to male foster adaptor. So when you fill a tank you can fill through the micro fill tube line? Is that what I am reading into this?

 

[Jack.K]

Let me ask this question. Since you said I need a male foster to male foster adaptor. So when you fill a tank you can fill through the micro fill tube line? Is that what I am reading into this?

Yep, I’ve been filling both my CF tanks from scuba compressor this way.

 

[tosouthern66]

Jack K

thanks for the info. I learned something I did not know. I was thinking that the micro fill tube had to be removed and an adapter mounted to the DIN port to fill. 

 

[tosouthern66]

The next question I have is:

What tank size do you all recommend? I have been looking at the 45 cu ft tanks and the 18 cu ft tanks. The 45 will give me 77 fills and the 18 will give me 30. I have not been doing that much shooting but am looking at going out more. Any recommendations would be helpful!

 

[bandg]

I have a 97 cf Great White. Lots of fills, maybe a little less convenient than a smaller bottle but you still have to move either one. Probably depends on how much field use one plans.

 

[Humdinger]

IMO after owning tanks from 18cf tank to 88cf is a 6.8 liter, 45 minute, 66 cf tank is my favorite for number of fills and being easy to carry. Different vendors refer to this size as up to 75cf but in reality it holds 66cf. It is a great intermediate size. Not too big, not to small, but plenty of fills.

Several vendors exaggerate tank volume in an effort to one up their competitors. The real compressed air capacity for each size tank is the volume number on the left. True tank capacity charts from manufacturers such as Scott, Luxfer, and SCI are what should be accepted as fact.

For instance, the large carbon fiber tank that firemen use is commonly referred to as a 60 minute tank. It has a 550 cubic inch internal water volume. At 4500 psi it holds 88 cubic feet of compressed air. Here is a comparison chart for anyone who wants to know the size and air volume of carbon fiber tanks from largest size to smallest.

Fireman's Minute Rating Internal Volume in Inches Volume in Liters Vendor Air Volume Ratings

60 550 9 liters 88 cf to 100 cf

45 418 6.8 liters 66 cf to 75 cf

30 285 4.5 liters 44 cf (not commonly sold new)

15 118 1.8 liters 18 cf to 19 cf

This comparison is to clear any confusion for buyers who don't do their own research and assume bigger is better. Make your selection on features, vendor reputation, and value. Don't buy solely based upon claimed volume capacity. Remember that 6 inches is just as long as 15.24 centimeters.

 

[bandg]

Good information for comparison.

 

[tosouthern66]

Humdinger



Thanks for the info that helps out. I was looking at a 45 cubic foot LE tank from Pryamydair. Then I saw the 18 cubic foot one on Arizona Airguns. That's when I got to thinking what size do I want or need. I don't want one that will cause me to have to drive 45 miles round trip to fill every time. The 18 is defiantly out for me, think the 45 would be a better choice! Thanks again!!!!!