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c02 regulator + 12g c02 canister

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:27 pm
by Leonard
Hey guys!
Im currently working on a semi-auto blowforward bolt airsoft weapon. Im trying to design a very small weapon, so i plan to use 12g c02 non-threaded canister as air source.
My question is, i'v searched a lot on this site and on google but i cant find a regulator that would be suited for this project. I plan to use a c02 inflater to shrader valve, but from the shrader valve to the sch40 pvc, i need a regulator. What should i use/where should i search?

Thanks!

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:15 pm
by Lentamentalisk
get one of those tire inflater CO<sub>2</sub> gadgets, and just use it for your air source, it regulates its self i think

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:30 pm
by Hubb
Palmer's Pursuit Stabilizer. They are the best ones I've ever used for CO2, they are adjustable from 0 - 800 psi.

If interested, search on this product. You should be able to find it cheaper than directly from Palmer's.

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:38 pm
by Leonard
Lentamentalisk wrote:get one of those tire inflater CO<sub>2</sub> gadgets, and just use it for your air source, it regulates its self i think
I need clarifications on this. You're saying it regulates itself? I'm trying to set up a semi-auto mecanism, so i need the 12g CO2 to be attached on the chamber and refills it automaticly, hence the regulator. What do you think?

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:52 pm
by Hubb
Those things release the CO2 when the trigger is pressed. If the trigger is held down, it will just dump 12g of CO2 (which is probably not good).

As mentioned above, check the Palmer's stabilizers. As far as connecting the 12g, any good paintball store will sell quick change adapters.

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:41 pm
by Leonard
Wow, those things are awfully expensive... I was hoping to be able to use that kind of regulators :

http://cgi.ebay.ca/AIR-IN-LINE-REGULATO ... dZViewItem


But they all show a psi gauge of around 150-200 PSI. Does it mean that the device itself can only withstand 150 psi or can the inline pressure be more than that while the outlet pressure is limited to 150 psi?

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:04 pm
by Hubb
I do not believe that regulator will work for what you want. It is not CO2 compatible. You don't have to go with the Palmer's, it's just the one I've had the best luck with.

Search for a CO2 regulator. If it is not compatible, it could damage the regulator and be hazardous to your health.

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:06 pm
by trae08
sorry to tell you this but i am very familiar with co2 and any reg that regulates more the 200 psi is going to be "awfully" expensive.. for a co2 reg your looking at least 60+ dollars. any thing cheaper and i would question its quality...

i personally own a palmer reg i bought for 80 bucks or something and i love it. im going to buy a kit from there site so i can adjust it from 0-900 instead of 0-800.

if i were you i would buy a palmer reg and a remote line and run your gun from that and if you dont want to buy a 20 oz co2 tank you could use a 88 gram one.. but there not refillable.

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:00 pm
by mark.f
Well, here's an idea:

Most 20 buck regulators from Home Depot have an input pressure range from 0 to 300 PSIG.

So... make an expansion chamber that fills to 300 PSIG when connected to your CO<sub>2</sub> source, and hook a regulator to this that brings it down to your operating pressure.

There's a chart somewhere on this site which lists pressures quoted for a 12g CO<sub>2</sub> powerlet at V volume expansion.

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:08 pm
by Leonard
Thank you for those tips guys!
make an expansion chamber that fills to 300 PSIG
The problem is that i am looking for a small weapon, so an additional chamber would not be the solutions. But for a larger weapon that sounds like a good idea.

I had an idea, tell me what you guys think about it. I could attach the CO2 inflator direcly into my chamber, attach the chamber to a quick exhaust valve piloted by a pop-off valve (something around a 100 psi). The pilot would open at around 100 psi, opening the QEV and emptying the chamber. All i would have to do is pressing the inflator handle to fill up the chamber until the pop-off release the pressure.

Would that work?

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:38 am
by SPG
Almost all the decent CO2 tyre inflators have a built in regulator. Why? because who wants 800+ psi whooshing into their bicycle tyre.

Only thing is they also have very very small valves and a slow flow, but it may suit your needs.

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:54 am
by DYI
any reg that regulates more the 200 psi is going to be "awfully" expensive.. for a co2 reg your looking at least 60+ dollars
:lol: That sounds like a damned cheap reg to me... My 0-500 psi output N<sub>2</sub> was $250 new. If you want the benefits of bottled gas, you're going to have to be willing to put up with the cost (which is rather small in your case).

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:20 pm
by Leonard
I guess you guys are right concerning the regulator... It's just so surprising to see paintball gun being sold 120 bucks if the regulator alone cost 80$. Anyways.

But what about my questiont here, i would be glad to get a quick answer :

"I had an idea, tell me what you guys think about it. I could attach the CO2 inflator direcly into my chamber, attach the chamber to a quick exhaust valve piloted by a pop-off valve (something around a 100 psi). The pilot would open at around 100 psi, opening the QEV and emptying the chamber. All i would have to do is pressing the inflator handle to fill up the chamber until the pop-off release the pressure. "

Seriously, would this kind of setup work? I'v seen a few similar design on this board, but would it work with CO2?

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:50 pm
by SPG
If you really did use a tyre inflator I can't see why this wouldn't work, like I said they've got tiny valves so don't inflate that quickly. I'm sure someone will say "No!! Danger, danger!!" but think about this, if it's safe enough to inflate a bit of rubber tube encased only in more rubber and some wire or cotton, then is it safe enough for my set up?

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:45 pm
by Necrosis
SPG wrote:If you really did use a tyre inflator I can't see why this wouldn't work, like I said they've got tiny valves so don't inflate that quickly. I'm sure someone will say "No!! Danger, danger!!" but think about this, if it's safe enough to inflate a bit of rubber tube encased only in more rubber and some wire or cotton, then is it safe enough for my set up?
The first thing I'd do is mod it so the flow is good.

But if there is a pop off valve.. it probably is safe to use anyway..