CO2 Setup

[PCGUY]

<div align="center">CO2 SETUP

Provided By - Tim Brown

WARNING: ONLY THOSE COMFORTABLE WITH HIGH PRESSURE GAS SETUPS SHOULD ATTEMPT ANYTHING SEEN ON THIS PAGE. FURTHERMORE, YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF, AND IN NO WAY MAY I BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING YOU TRY.

Step 1: Choosing your set-up
There are basically three different methods of using CO2 as a way of pressurizing a pneumatic air cannon. Your purpose for using CO2 will determine which method is best for you. The three methods are:

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/pic13.jpg">

12 gram CO2 cartridges

12 gram cartridges are used for single shots, one cartridge equals one shot. This type of setup is often used in paint ball situations, such as a mortar or under barrel cannon. Although this can become mildly expensive, when looking for something compact and something that won't be shot just for fun all day long, 12 gram cartridges are a good choice.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/pic23.jpg">

12-24 oz. CO2 Paint ball tanks

Paint ball CO2 tanks are also good to use in paint ball situations or for miniature cannons, such as baby carrot guns or anything with a small chamber. The tanks themselves can be refilled at paint ball stores for fairly cheap, however the real cost is in the regulator.<br>


<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/pic3333.jpg">

5-50 Pound bulk CO2 tank

Bulk CO2 tanks are the best option for a regular old spud gunner. A 20 pound tank will yield 660 liters of 100 PSI gas, or in other words, it will fill a 2” x 36” chamber approximately 330 times to 100 PSI. (Conditions have to be right with the correct temperature and a couple other variables, but you get the point, it’s a lot of gas.) As you might imagine a bulk tank setup is the most expensive but the way to go for anyone looking for portability and quick fills.

Step 2: Setting up a 12 Gram system

Very few parts are needed for setting up a 12 gram system and all but one can be found at your local home improvement store or hardware store. The material list is as follows:
1. 12 gram quick change adaptor
2. 1/2" black galvanized coupler
3. 1/2" black galvanized closed nipple

The quick change adaptor can be found at most paint ball pro shops, or online paint ball stores such as <a href="http://www.actionvillage.com">http://www.actionvillage.com</a>. This is what they look like:

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/pic43.JPG">

Once you have all of your materials, simply apply epoxy to the smaller threads of the quick change and screw it into the coupler as tightly as possible. The threads on the adaptor are finer than the threads on the coupler and therefore won't be a perfect fit, this is why you need to apply the epoxy. I have found the a good amount of JB Weld will do and if you use enough you won't have any problems with leaks. Next use some Teflon tape and wrap it around the closed nipple a couple of times and screw it into the other side of the coupler and attach it to your cannon.

Note: A 3" x 6" chamber pressurized with one 12 gram cartridge will be at about 100 PSI. And remember to always add a pop-safety valve on your chamber. Also be careful as to not let any liquid CO2 come in contact with your PVC when you are pressurizing as it can super-cool the PVC and cause it to become very brittle.

Step 3: Setting up a paint ball tank system

A paint ball tank system requires more pieces and subsequently more expensive, but still a good option. In addition to your tank, found at paint ball stores, you need a regulator. This unit regulates the pressure coming out of the tank to a useable pressure for spud gunners. Don't buy the cheapest regulator you can find because you are dealing with very high pressures and you don't want something to go wrong. In most cases you should buy an actual paint ball gun regulator from a paint ball store. You want one that is adjustable and can go down to at least 125 PSI. Just talk to an employee at your local paint ball store to find out which you should get. Another option is to buy a reg from <a href="www.swampworks.com.">www.swampworks.com.</a> There regulators are set at a constant 140 PSI and are often cheaper than a paint ball reg. If you use a reg from swampworks, you must also get the appropriate fittings to hook it up to your tank. The outlet from the reg is a 10-32 thread, search on Mcamster.com for hoses and adaptors. If you use a paint ball reg, you will need a hose to hook the reg to your chamber.

Note: I am being quite vague with the details of this for two reasons. Not all setups will be exactly alike, and CO2 can be very dangerous so only those with the know-how not to hurt themselves can figure out what else to do.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/pic53.jpg">

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/pic63.jpg">

Step 4: Setting up a bulk tank system

For total portability a bulk tank is the way to go. You can buy tanks from as small as 5 pounds, to as large as 100 pounds or more. I have found the most practical is a 20 pound tanks, plenty of shots, but not too big to be cumbersome when trying to transport it. You can buy bulk tanks from a couple different places, welding supply shops, restaurant supply shops and some scuba diving shops, or even online. The price for a 20 pound tank will be somewhere around $100 for a used tank which is just fine to get as long as it has been hydro tested in the last 3 years. The next thing that you need to get is a regulator. Although it is nice to have an adjustable regulator, they are totally not necessary. You can buy a fixed reg for about $40 at the same place you got the tank. I got one that is constantly set to 140 PSI at Toll Gas and Welding for just under $40. You can buy the same one as I did at <a href="http://www.williamsballoons.com/co2_reg ... ors.htm</a> for about the same price. (Get the 150 female) If you would like to an adjustable reg you can get one from <a href="http://www.spudtech.com/detail.asp?id=2 ... p?id=25</a>.
Once you have your tank and reg, all you need is an air hose and you are set to go.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/pic73.jpg">

Note: Once again this is kind of vague for the same purpose as above.
That's all there is to it. If you take the information given here and a little imagination you should have no problem setting up your own system. And as always, keep it safe.

Provided By - Tim Brown</div>

[BillyBobJoe]

You can also use Co2 beverage type regulators with paintball tanks. They are 1/4" NPT input, so all you need is an ASA adapter, and maybe a 1/4"x1/8" reducer (RATED FOR AT LEAST 1000 PSI). Check eBay for the regulators and ASA fittings. I've gotten a whole setup for around $20.

[electroshockman]

I want to use a dual 24oz CO2 setup, but I don't know where to get a regulator. If possible, I'd like to get one adjustable down to a min of 80 or 100psi. Anyone know where I can get one and about how much it'd cost?

[CS]

Ebay.

[bjbrokaw]

I cant find a high pressure co2 regulator for a bulk tank. All I can find are ones that blow off at 60 psi for beverage production. Can anyone provide a link?

[SpudStuff]

check Mc Master they have all sorts of regs and fittings

[shadowwalker]

130psi reg

I have that regulator on my 20lb tank. They say it will adjust to 160, but the iinstructions ay 130 is the limit. I've been pleased with it. Bought it from that user too.

[357Wood]

I found the regulator from Palmer's Pursuit Shop (an internet paintball store) to be very small and work great.

https://palmer-pursuit.com/ecom/index.p ... 831d2b6dbf

Look for the low pressure version (200 psi max). You'll need to add your own secondary regulator to that, and I added two 1/4" NPT ball valves (one on either side of the secondary regulator. The 20oz CO2 tank has been working great for me.

20 oz CO2 tanks can be purchased from Palmer's Pursuit, or Paintball Discounters:

http://www.paintball-discounters.com/ge ... -20-oz.htm

[pearleliminator]

how much pressure can i put in a pvc chamber? Does regular pvc pipe and glue hold 140 psi?

[Shrimphead]

It totally depends on the size and schedule of the pipe. Look on your pipe to see what it's rated for, then make sure to stay at least 30 psi under it's rating. Most people don't fill their guns past 120 and that is about how high a normal compressor can go.

[carlbelcher]

Also check the pressure ratings on any valves or fitting you might be using there pressure rating can be significantly lower than your main pipe.

As a rule of thumb the maximum pressure in your gun should not exceed the lowest pressure rating of any part of your gun

[mdogg2]

Awesome!!

ok if you want a reg. the best one is at palmers pursuit
another thing is there are co2 tanks with on off vavles on them these are good cause you dont waste air

just turn it on, charge your chamber and then turn it off ,
works great

[keep_it_real]

sorry i'm posting on an old topic but...
Isn't co2 way too cold for pvc?
and
do regulators ever fail? If a regulator did fail and it was hooked up to pvc, well that would suck.

[808AirsoftGunner]

srry i know you guys hate old stuffs but im a noob and i cant find that
'PRESSUREMATE' but can this one work too?
http://www.actionvillage.com/is-bin/INT ... EVUIF6nclg

srry