I didn't design it, but I have made a number of them.Nice Job
Barrel coolers
- Thread starter bigHUN
- Start date
I have looked at a bunch of these pumps at this point (lots of options out there)
My criteria:
1) Battery size / life
2) Size, smaller is better but not super concerned within reason
3) Airflow - more is preferable
4) Noise - would like quiet, probably the most important consideration
5) Max runtime
6) Physical configuration (ie where the intake and output are located)
7) Charger type (USB-C etc)
8) Usefulness beyond firearm use
This seems to be the premier one thats out there - Link
To my points above:
1) The unit in the link seems to have one of the smallest built in batteries (650mA) but seems to have very high performance. This could be due to a better pump design which makes it more efficient but I am wary of such claims. On the upside with a power pack (which I already have) and USB-C port that is an easy issue to solve.\
2) Seems pretty small but not the smallest.
3) Highest airflow I can find across all the units of this size / type (5 KPA)
4) This one is weird, ad states it is quiet at 75 db but listening to the video reviews it sounds on the loud side
5) This one does not have a stated max runtime. All the others seem to. Makes me think this one can run indefinitely.
6) Intake is on the base and output is on the top. Would mean leaving it on its side or hanging it when using to cool firearms. Style with intake and output on one end would be preferable in this respect (could sit on its base without impeding air flow)
7) It does have USB-C as mentioned above and comes with a cable to charge.
8) With the high flow rate it should be useful for other purposes (ie blowing up airbeds, inflatables at the beach etc).
The noise is putting me off a little. I have a Milwaukee inflator and on the lowest setting it probably is similar in terms of noise and moves more air than this pump, with an 18V battery it will last a long time. I also have it already so effectively costs me zero.
Might test it next time I am at the range and decide from there.
My criteria:
1) Battery size / life
2) Size, smaller is better but not super concerned within reason
3) Airflow - more is preferable
4) Noise - would like quiet, probably the most important consideration
5) Max runtime
6) Physical configuration (ie where the intake and output are located)
7) Charger type (USB-C etc)
8) Usefulness beyond firearm use
This seems to be the premier one thats out there - Link
To my points above:
1) The unit in the link seems to have one of the smallest built in batteries (650mA) but seems to have very high performance. This could be due to a better pump design which makes it more efficient but I am wary of such claims. On the upside with a power pack (which I already have) and USB-C port that is an easy issue to solve.\
2) Seems pretty small but not the smallest.
3) Highest airflow I can find across all the units of this size / type (5 KPA)
4) This one is weird, ad states it is quiet at 75 db but listening to the video reviews it sounds on the loud side
5) This one does not have a stated max runtime. All the others seem to. Makes me think this one can run indefinitely.
6) Intake is on the base and output is on the top. Would mean leaving it on its side or hanging it when using to cool firearms. Style with intake and output on one end would be preferable in this respect (could sit on its base without impeding air flow)
7) It does have USB-C as mentioned above and comes with a cable to charge.
8) With the high flow rate it should be useful for other purposes (ie blowing up airbeds, inflatables at the beach etc).
The noise is putting me off a little. I have a Milwaukee inflator and on the lowest setting it probably is similar in terms of noise and moves more air than this pump, with an 18V battery it will last a long time. I also have it already so effectively costs me zero.
Might test it next time I am at the range and decide from there.
As mentioned previously the noise of the fan I took the other day meant I couldn't hear the report from the steel at 300M being struck by my mighty 22LR
Electronic hearing actually made the fan sound louder.
I put myself in the position of someone else using the range should this be going on and it shouldn't impede or be noticeable to them (note there was just myself there at my most recent visit).
That's very nice of you. Wish the guys with braked rifles at my range had half that much consideration for those around them...As mentioned previously the noise of the fan I took the other day meant I couldn't hear the report from the steel at 300M being struck by my mighty 22LR
Electronic hearing actually made the fan sound louder.
I put myself in the position of someone else using the range should this be going on and it shouldn't impede or be noticeable to them (note there was just myself there at my most recent visit).
That little "air pump" is really good for guys who just love "gadgets." I'm sure it works quite well, but tediously slowly.
Blowing compressed coolant is fast, but again, not always practical.
I use an "offset funnel" and pour a cup of water down the bore, from the chamber end.
Place the muzzle into a small bucket, insert the nozzle of the PLASTIC offset funnel snugly into the chamber, and pour in some cool water. Run a quick patch through the chamber and bore to make sure there isn't any water left behind, and continue shooting.
The compressed coolant looks like a great way to go, as you don't have to clean out the bore, and are just starting where you left off.
I went that route, and it's by far the easiest/fastest method. Just kept forgetting to get a new container of coolant, so now I just use water.
Blowing compressed coolant is fast, but again, not always practical.
I use an "offset funnel" and pour a cup of water down the bore, from the chamber end.
Place the muzzle into a small bucket, insert the nozzle of the PLASTIC offset funnel snugly into the chamber, and pour in some cool water. Run a quick patch through the chamber and bore to make sure there isn't any water left behind, and continue shooting.
The compressed coolant looks like a great way to go, as you don't have to clean out the bore, and are just starting where you left off.
I went that route, and it's by far the easiest/fastest method. Just kept forgetting to get a new container of coolant, so now I just use water.
Sniffer - I watched all the vids for that pump and it Really was Loud IMO. I found one for half the cost, that has 4.5KPa and 450 L/m. NO vids so I don't know but 'Reviews' claimed it was fairly quiet. I Got it on order and will update in a few days.
https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-Air-...0DQR868JY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-Air-...0DQR868JY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Yep, I have to agree - seemed loud.
Let me know how this one works out please.
This feels like one of those "There is no such thing as a free lunch" type scenarios - if it moves more air it makes more noise, I know different designs can engineer / massage that to some degree but the laws of physics still apply.
All depends on how much you wanna spend. You can move a lot of air quietly, just not for $30-40 off Amazon.
This is a case of overthinking the issue. Moving a smallish volume of air down the bore that has a small surface area, is counter intuitive. Move a larger volume of air over the larger surface area of the exterior of the barrel. If you're just shooting groups at the range, pick up a fan that takes power tool batteries, ie Dewalt/Milwaukee, and have this blowing down the length of the barrel. It will cool it in real time, not just between groups, and the added benefit is it gets rid of barrel mirage.
If you're concerned about cooling the barrel unequally, don't worry, thermal dynamics will redistribute the heat quickly and it isn't be an issue. Of course if you put half the barrel in water, this isn't going to rectify itself quick enough and there will be some banana effect.
I use a Dewalt unit, and especially on calm winter days when the temp differential is such that barrel mirage is brutal.
If you're concerned about cooling the barrel unequally, don't worry, thermal dynamics will redistribute the heat quickly and it isn't be an issue. Of course if you put half the barrel in water, this isn't going to rectify itself quick enough and there will be some banana effect.
I use a Dewalt unit, and especially on calm winter days when the temp differential is such that barrel mirage is brutal.
ATRS Shaun
Business Member Rep.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I am going to run some tests.
Will try:
1) Exterior fan only
2) Internal fan only
3) Exterior and internal fan together.
Fairly confident #3 will be the winner but lets see by what margin
More curious to see how #1 compares to #2. Will take a starting temperature (internal / external) and run each for a set time (5 minutes?) then see what the temperature delta is from start to finish.
Will be a week or so until I get to the range but looks like it will still be pretty hot at that point (which is good for testing purposes)
Will try:
1) Exterior fan only
2) Internal fan only
3) Exterior and internal fan together.
Fairly confident #3 will be the winner but lets see by what margin
More curious to see how #1 compares to #2. Will take a starting temperature (internal / external) and run each for a set time (5 minutes?) then see what the temperature delta is from start to finish.
Will be a week or so until I get to the range but looks like it will still be pretty hot at that point (which is good for testing purposes)
Will be very interested in your test setups and results. Was thinking this would be good for my revolvers too when I practice for ICORE & IPSC. The cylinder & barrel gets pretty hot after ~8 moonclips.
