PCP recharging
- Thread starter imarco
- Start date
The guys shooting air rifle at my Club bring a scuba tank at the range and use a purpose build compressor at home to fill the tank. The compressor must be made to handle the high pressure needed. Home utility compressor won’t cut it.
By Scuba tank, I mean the air gun tanks - made for the air gun with all fittings and valve.
Was very interested in buying an air rifle (.357) but unless you are sure of your commitment to it ( was not ), I dropped the idea. Scuba tank and compressor cost quite a bit, so in my view, unless you are in it for a while, it was too much money for me.
By Scuba tank, I mean the air gun tanks - made for the air gun with all fittings and valve.
Was very interested in buying an air rifle (.357) but unless you are sure of your commitment to it ( was not ), I dropped the idea. Scuba tank and compressor cost quite a bit, so in my view, unless you are in it for a while, it was too much money for me.
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Deep rabbit hole.
Could go as cheap as a hand pump...if your back can take it...
or spend a bit more and get into a HPA pump (4500psi/310 Mpa)
or go further and get yourself a storage tank and accessory... (Scott 4500psi/60min.)
Could go as cheap as a hand pump...if your back can take it...
or spend a bit more and get into a HPA pump (4500psi/310 Mpa)
or go further and get yourself a storage tank and accessory... (Scott 4500psi/60min.)
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With regard to air tanks, there are scuba tanks and carbon fiber tanks. Some PCPs fill to 200 bar (about 2900 psi). Others can safely take more pressure, many of them up to 300 bar (about 4350 psi).
Depending on the particular tank, scuba tanks can be made of steel or aluminum. The steel tanks can usually be filled to a higher pressure than aluminum, up to 3300 - 3500 psi. Both are available in different sizes or volumes and a larger volume gives more refills to a PCP. A scuba tank is fillable by any scuba shop.
The carbon fiber (CF) tanks are also made in a variety of sizes. They typically fill to 4500 psi. A large volume CF tank will fill a PCP reservoir more than any scuba tank. CF tanks, especially those with larger volumes, may filled at paint ball shops, but not all will be able to fill to full pressure. There are affordable compressors that can fill CF tanks, but their quality may vary.
When I shot PCP rifles, I used a large volume steel scuba tank, which I could get filled at a local dive shop. It provided many refills for my 200 bar rifles.
Depending on the particular tank, scuba tanks can be made of steel or aluminum. The steel tanks can usually be filled to a higher pressure than aluminum, up to 3300 - 3500 psi. Both are available in different sizes or volumes and a larger volume gives more refills to a PCP. A scuba tank is fillable by any scuba shop.
The carbon fiber (CF) tanks are also made in a variety of sizes. They typically fill to 4500 psi. A large volume CF tank will fill a PCP reservoir more than any scuba tank. CF tanks, especially those with larger volumes, may filled at paint ball shops, but not all will be able to fill to full pressure. There are affordable compressors that can fill CF tanks, but their quality may vary.
When I shot PCP rifles, I used a large volume steel scuba tank, which I could get filled at a local dive shop. It provided many refills for my 200 bar rifles.
rifleman762
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
The hand pumps are good for a 2000-ish psi fill pressure. Trying to get it much higher than that requires you to weigh more than me! I got the same pump for $75 shipped from AliExpress as folks sell for $200 on this side of the ocean.
If you use a tank, remember you need higher pressure in the scuba/CF tank than your gun's fill pressure. Every time you fill the gun, scuba tank pressure drops. Once the tank pressure drops below fill pressure, you won't be getting a full power fill. 4500 psi tank into a 3000 psi gun is a pretty common setup.
For that reason, if I feel the need to step up from a hand pump, I'll be going straight to a compressor. I've got a 1500w inverter in my truck so I'd be pretty portable even filling straight from the compressor.
If you use a tank, remember you need higher pressure in the scuba/CF tank than your gun's fill pressure. Every time you fill the gun, scuba tank pressure drops. Once the tank pressure drops below fill pressure, you won't be getting a full power fill. 4500 psi tank into a 3000 psi gun is a pretty common setup.
For that reason, if I feel the need to step up from a hand pump, I'll be going straight to a compressor. I've got a 1500w inverter in my truck so I'd be pretty portable even filling straight from the compressor.
Below is a link to a calculator for sizing tanks. It will give you an idea of how many fills you can get from a tank. Keep in mind dive shops may not have the capability to fill a 4500 psi tank. In Canada tanks need to be DOT or TC (NOT CE) certified for any commercial shop to legally fill them. Tanks also need to be inspected on a regular basis and have a 15 year life. Something to take into consideration when purchasing new or used.
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Tanks/FillCalc.html
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Tanks/FillCalc.html
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Some use nitrogen, they rent cylinders. I use a hand pump, I just bought one for $70 and its a little better than the hatsan pump I paid $200 for 5 years ago. Its water cooled and pumps to a higher pressure.
My pcps dont need more than 2000 psi.
My pcps dont need more than 2000 psi.
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Don't overlook moisture and condensation.
Scuba tank air is dry and better for your air chamber on the rifle.
Using a hand pump or cheap compressor lets moisture in that will eventually degrade the air cylinder. The hand pumps are a work out, that's for sure and I would not want to use it if you plan to shoot alot.
For that reason you are better off with a scuba tank, but that comes at a cost and depending on where you live you may not have access to a scuba shop. Once you factor in the cost of tank and periodic recertification, you might determine its actually cheaper to replace the air reservoir on the rifle more frequently and go with a cheaper filling system.
I'm not sure that you can get a scuba tank filled without a scuba license. Might want to look into that as well.
Scuba tank air is dry and better for your air chamber on the rifle.
Using a hand pump or cheap compressor lets moisture in that will eventually degrade the air cylinder. The hand pumps are a work out, that's for sure and I would not want to use it if you plan to shoot alot.
For that reason you are better off with a scuba tank, but that comes at a cost and depending on where you live you may not have access to a scuba shop. Once you factor in the cost of tank and periodic recertification, you might determine its actually cheaper to replace the air reservoir on the rifle more frequently and go with a cheaper filling system.
I'm not sure that you can get a scuba tank filled without a scuba license. Might want to look into that as well.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Other than that one Anschutz air-cylinder that busted a few decades ago... and started the 10years rules for ISSF air cylinders.
- Anyone knows of other failed air cylinder because of moisture?
OP, I guess it depends how air-hungry your air rifle is...
Personally, shooting most of the time non-PAL rated airguns (with more than 1 cylinder each), I'm OK with a air-pump.
- Anyone knows of other failed air cylinder because of moisture?
OP, I guess it depends how air-hungry your air rifle is...
Personally, shooting most of the time non-PAL rated airguns (with more than 1 cylinder each), I'm OK with a air-pump.
LuckyStrike
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
My thoughts
I have an FX Streamline that I shoot fairly often but rarely large numbers of shot strings (mainly pest control a couple times a week)
My fill option is the FX pump I bought with the gun .. Unless you shoot a lot its no big deal to top off the reservoir to 230 bar (10 minutes)
I am not a young dude and my back isn't great * Pumping a PCP is about technique not strength .... Its actually quite easy if you pace yourself
Cheers
Lucky
I have an FX Streamline that I shoot fairly often but rarely large numbers of shot strings (mainly pest control a couple times a week)
My fill option is the FX pump I bought with the gun .. Unless you shoot a lot its no big deal to top off the reservoir to 230 bar (10 minutes)
I am not a young dude and my back isn't great * Pumping a PCP is about technique not strength .... Its actually quite easy if you pace yourself
Cheers
Lucky
Several factors to consider here. Budget, pressure needs, frequency of shooting and where you could get a tank refilled. I'm 10 minutes from Lake Erie and there is nowhere nearby that could fill a SCUBA tank. Volunteer Fire departments used to but not anymore. Personally I can't afford a compressor so I use a hand pump. Most of my airguns go to 3000 PSI but after chronographing them I find I don't need to go past 2500 to get the "sweet spot" for my guns. With my pump (a Hill MK1 by Umarex) it takes about 60 pumps to go from 900 to 2500. TC
I find it takes about 5 seconds per pump. From what I have been told since the final air passages are so small a pause is needed at the top of the stroke and definitely a paise is necessary when holding at the bottom of stroke. I can tell if I feel any springiness.
Nomad compressor…. ~ $700 CDN and a spare carbon bottle do it for me. I have a pump as well, but when one spends the money on a good PCP rifle, a Nomad compressor is not overly expensive. The manual pump is a backup if for some reason the compressor is not handy or otherwise not usable (although I can’t fathom why)
I’m old, fat and slow….. and I’m gonna keep it that way if I can……. No manual pumping for me!!!!
I’m old, fat and slow….. and I’m gonna keep it that way if I can……. No manual pumping for me!!!!
Even if you buy a scuba tank (200 bar or 3000 psi) or carbon fiber tank (300 bar or 4500 psi) not many scuba shops would fill it for you and there many reasons, one is a sticker for transportation safety what they will be looking for. CE certified is not approved in Canada.
For this same I got couple second hand fireman tanks from auction sale and a YongHeng and fill it myself to 300 bars. My PCP's are 250 bar rated
Also if you go a compressor route I would caution - water cooled only with an auto shot down feature.
For this same I got couple second hand fireman tanks from auction sale and a YongHeng and fill it myself to 300 bars. My PCP's are 250 bar rated
Also if you go a compressor route I would caution - water cooled only with an auto shot down feature.
If you don't have an in with a decommissioned one from a local Fire Dept.
Could check out Ebay. But that could get expensive.
Something light this. Gotta check around.
Scott SCBA 60 Min Luxfer Cylinder Tank - 4500 Psi
Could check out Ebay. But that could get expensive.
Something light this. Gotta check around.
Scott SCBA 60 Min Luxfer Cylinder Tank - 4500 Psi
To be clear, when I said spare carbon fibre tank, I wasn’t referring to a fill tank. I meant a spare bottle to switch out the one that comes with the rifle. Like a spare magazine, I fill both bottles. When the first is empty, I unscrew the empty one and screw in the charged one……. Good to go for another 80 shots or so (your mileage may vary depending on the gun and the bottle size)
