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Homemade Regulator?

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:28 pm
by us sniper
I thought of this while trying to think of how to make a semi-automatic gun. It works by using the pressure to push the piston in the pop-off valve back which turns the handle of the ball valve, although the hole on the pop off valve would have to be covered by a 1/2 inch copper coupling and epoxy. I would like your thoughts on whether or not you think that this would work.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240 ... ulator.jpg

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:28 pm
by explsvcookie257
It might but I dont think it will because even though your making the outlet smaller the pressure will equalize into the chamber of the gun and co2 tank so thats 800+psi which is very unsafe. If i am wrong feel free to correct me. Also it may come out slower but it will still eventualy equalize.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:48 pm
by us sniper
Hopefully by the time that the air tank hits 100 psi or 110 psi the pop up valve should have completely shut off the ball valve or to the point where no air could get through.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:12 pm
by explsvcookie257
oh i have an idea you could add a second pop off via a tee in front of the ball valve to pop off at say 125psi so it will fill to 125 and then the excess air will go out the pop off and you dont have to worry about putting 800+psi in your gun.

edit: you could also reverse the ball valve have it on the other side so it will push the valve closed before it reaches a dangersouly high pressure but i think the other way is safer.

hope this helped

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:19 pm
by us sniper
For the second pop off valve, which side do you mean? If it is closer to the CO2 tank than it would just leak until the entire tank was at 125 psi. If it is on the air chamber of the gun I agree with you and think that it would be a great idea. I am not quit sure what you mean for the ball valve, but thanks for your thoughts they did help.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:21 pm
by explsvcookie257
Your welcome and im talking about the pop off after the ball valve so all you will have to do is close the ball valve you could eliminate the first and open it slowly but i think that is very unsafe dont try it unles you get more input not just from me.

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:46 am
by Gippeto
You may, or may not, find this to be of interest, depending on your available tools. :)

A balanced piston regulator is pretty straight forward.

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=h ... n%26sa%3DG

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:34 am
by Hubb
I like this. I don't think it'll work, but I like it. Popoff valves aren't going to move enough to open and close a ball valve.

As far as the piston type regulator, well, the biggest problem with those are the spring. It's got to be just right or it won't work.

A homemade regulator (or attempt) should not be tried with high pressures such as CO2 unless you absolutely know what you are doing. If you're going to do this, do it with low pressures, that way, in case it don't work, you'll only loose your hand and not your head.

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:02 am
by grumpy
i agree with hubb on this, high pressure is nothing to fool around with. a little liquid co2 can freeze the popoff valve open with explosive results. use a reg made for co2 along with a popoff valve it will be a lot safer.

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:18 am
by us sniper
I came up with a revised version of this because when testing the pop off valve the rise of the pin is actually very small, so I used the air released by the pop off to push a piston with the air pressure which would then close the ball valve. The only problem is with the second shot because the pop off valve would not regulate on the second shot because there is already 100 psi to 125 psi in it, which would mean that incoming CO2 would not be able to push it back. So, I need to find a way to release the pop off valve's chamber after the first shot.
Also, due to a suggestion by explsvcookie257 their would be a second lone pop off valve on the chamber, because there is I would trust something that I have never built before.

Here is the revised version:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240 ... lator2.jpg

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:36 am
by Hubb
This is how a poppet style regulator works. Try modeling after this if you are so determined on making this work. And, please read the two posts above yours.

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:19 am
by us sniper
I did read posts and the CO2 bottle would be standing up straight with the brass valve on top so only gaseous CO2 would be released. Then as added safety benefits there would be the additional pop off valve and the CO2 bottle vould be connected via a quick connect. Still, I agree with you that the poppet valve design you posted would be the best choice and I will switch to that instead, so thank you to everyone that has posted.

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:24 am
by Antonio
I am planning to build a balanced piston regulator (as what gippeto mentioned) but I need a laithe to make it.... I think your idea is a pretty good alternative to ppl who dont have a laithe or milling machine. But if you are planning to use highpressure co2 I wouldnt recommend building ur own reg. if you dont have a laithe.

edit:

btw gippeto did u ever make a balanced piston regulator using ur skills and tools? I would be interested to c it:) and maybe use lol

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:15 am
by Gippeto
@ ant;

No, I have too many other things taking up my time right now. :roll:

When I find the "right" spring, I'll make this during a series of lunch time projects, and it'll get built fairly quickly.

I presume you are thinking about regulating CO2? What output pressure are you looking for?

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:10 am
by Antonio
@ gippeto

No I am not planning to use Co2 or anything as its pretty to get here in my place.. I was thinking about making an automag with a built in regulator, as the regulator (the piston"") that moves can have the same dimensions as the part moving forward as( the bolt) for the automag. I am planning to use a pressure of 20bars max. Its just that I want to make a step to automatics and having/making a regulator is a crucial step! and maybe a necessity (at least if you are ganna use HP instead of Co2)

Image

The moving part in this picture can be used in the regulator and can be duplicated to use it for the valve for the automag. I was thinking about an inline> automage valvin+ reg in line> as it prob is in standard automag markers.