I have been seeing a lot of these kinds of posts recently and have a few questions myself.

1) I'm a teenager and thinking about these tanks as a way to fill my airguns. Do you think I can learn how to handle these tanks safely(I have no prior experience with high pressure tanks)?

2)Can I store these in a basement in a corner laying down(the basement isn't that humid)?

3)Where can I find an adapter for Foster quick disconnect fitting for a discovery? I looked on Joe's site for high pressure rigs and he said these aren't rated for high pressures so does this mean I can't use it for filling my Discovery?

4)Would recomend this against HPA?

Any help would be appreciated.

One shot, one kill

Yes, people are using Nitrogen tanks, and the Stainless Steel fittings are rated well about your Discovery's needs.

Call tomorrw after 5PM pacific and maybe we can figure out what you need.

Joe Brancato
http://www.hamcontact.com/airgun/HoseAssembly/

I'm just new to this high pressure nitrogen thing, but not to airguns. I'll try to give you a call.

One shot, one kill

Not a lot of safety training needed, Joe. First and foremost, protect the tank valve from any possibility of getting knocked off. If it's standing, chain it to something solid so it can't fall over. Laying down is fine, but again, make sure the valve is protected from possible hits.

The Disco uses a standard Foster quick fill, also known as a paint ball fitting. These are readily available lots of places, were originally sold as hydraulic fittings, and most are rated at least 3000 psi, on up to 5000 or more. And remember, even if your tank pressure is 4500 or 6000 psi, the fitting attached to the gun will only "see" 3000 psi or less, 2000 in the case of the Disco. Joe is a good source, especially for a complete, ready to go rig, but if you're willing to do some leg work, you can save some money (sorry, Joe). This is the setup I put together for a 4500 psi tank:

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I've probably got around $100 in this, most of it I bought at my local NAPA auto parts store.

I highly recommend N2 over HPA, I think my guns shoot better, although I don't have any hard data to support that, I've been using N2 since I got my first PCP. On the rare occasions I've shot them on air, they didn't seem to hit as hard or be as consistent. Hope this helps, and if you'd like more info, feel free to email me direct. Later.

Dave

I'm wondering if they'll stand up to 6K, and whether there are slightly different gauges that would also. Although probably only 6K gauge would be necessary...

That's the whole point, you open the tank valve very slowly. The pressure in the lines and gun starts to rise (hopefully slowly...). When it gets to 2000 (or 3000 if that's your fill pressure) you close the valve again. The fittings never see more pressure than that.

What is very important is you need to pay attention to what you're doing. Be ready to shut the valve before the pressure gets too high.

When you get Joe on the phone he can 'walk you through it'.

One other thought, some of those tanks are very heavy, I wouldn't plan on humping them up and down stairs......

Doug Owen

I'm only saying this as a friend.

1) I'd only use fittings and gauges designed for the pressure of the vessel as they can see 6000 PSI if one is not attentive. I know you did say keep an eye on it, but I would be careful about telling others they don't need to have the proper fittings, simply because things do happen and a failure could occur.

2) For your or my "legal" health, I'd also never recommend less than the rating necessary for any tank. If an an accident of failure were to occur, someone could run with this information and say "he SAID I can use these kind of fittings". While the poster is a "good guy", it need not be him/her that causes trouble, anyone cruising the forum who isn't even a member could read it and cause trouble.

Just some immediate thoughts that came to my head.


Best to you,

Joe Brancato
http://www.hamcontact.com/airgun/HoseAssembly/

Consider the system itself is not sound to full tank pressure already. Putting 4500 psi in your PCP is a problem as it is. The system we use demands human control.

Such a system would no doubt not be permitted by OSHA.....

Perhaps a good solution might be to include a safety on the downstream side. Perhaps even the part we see on paintball tanks? I don't really think a 6000 psi gauge will make it safer, although as you say it may keep you out of court.

Doug Owen

But I'd feel more comfy if at least the gauge between the tank and regulator were rated for the tank's pressure. That gives me margin for error/distraction. The 5K gauges along w/ the 4500psi tank would be fine.

Yeah the tank's monster size is a downer. I'd probably end-up needing a pony tank of some sort, which starts taking me down the PCP path I don't wanna travel.

I'll probably price the project out and weigh-in the hassle factor and end-up sticking w/ the hand pump. lol

Everything is rated for 5000 psi or more, with the exception of my Foster fittings. The combo valve/bleeder is rated for 6000 psi IIRC, here's the link to that part:http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-161/031808/Sherwood-High-Pressure-Panel-Line-Valve-with-Bleed.html That was probably the single most expensive part at about $50. Oops, just looked at the link, the price has gone up in a year! The rest is pretty straight forward, two 1/4" 5K psi hydraulic tees, two 5K gauges, NOT liquid filled, I kept having leaks with the glycerin filled gauges. Liquid filled is great for damping needle movement in high vibration applications, but I don't think it's needed in our app. My needles don't bounce. Oh, and bigger is definitely better. 1/4" hydraulic hose ending in a standard brass female Foster fitting. Like I said, except for the valve/bleeder, the rest of it I got from my local NAPA. I do need to change out the hose, it works, but it wastes a lot of gas compared to a micro bore hose. And I don't think I'd recommend brass Foster fittings, I think I'm getting some galling, makes it tough to swap out fittings sometimes. Spend the money for stainless steel, they should hold up better and you'll get a higher pressure rating. Later.

Dave

I have to find out what size/pressure/price the N2 tanks are before going much further.

it is one sure way to make a torpedo tow it over stresses the seals in the valve and blow out discs.

Better check you home owners or renter insurance before you go and get a big tank most insurance company will not allow any tanks bigger then 20lbs or 80cf usually it is a maxim of three thanks too. You may be able to have a rider added to the insurance but you will have to pay if you want to be covered, you may also have to register with the local FD as they need to know where these thing are stored and present.


If something goes wrong and there is an accident it can be quite costly with no coverage.