Button pushed on a new scuba tank

[kirby999]

I already have a 100 CF 3300psi  scuba tank that I use to fill my PCP's with. It weighs close to 50 lbs and is PITA to move around and haul to a match or take hunting. I got to thinking , there's got to be something better (read that lighter)  I checked out what is called a pony tank. The one I ordered is an aluminum  13CF 3000psi tank  that weighs less than 8 pounds. My scuba shop usually will fill a couple of hundred psi over so that will give me 3200psi. using the fills calculator at   http://www.airhog.com/freebies.htm  , I punched in my numbers and  with my AAS400C if my numbers  are correct, and  filling the airtube of my gun to 2750psi and shooting down to 2000psi will give me 6 full fills . That should give me 300+ shots , which should be plenty for a weekend of shooting . And a couple of partial fills after that . It will cost me $7 to get a tank topped off at the scuba shop , so $7 for about 400 shots is OK in my book. I'll let you  know how it works out. I know the usual knock on the small tanks is you  have to make extra trips to get refills but, my scuba shop is only about 10 minutes from the house and I'll still have my 100CF tank for at home use. kirby

[dw33]

Sounds pretty smart to me.  Can I ask how much the pony tank cost you?  I also get tired of putting that 100 cf tank in the car when we go hunting in the mountains.  Thanks, David

[kirby999]

Right at $135 and  if it works out the way I've calculated everything, it'll be worth it. It mainly depends on your guns air tube capacity  and how well it uses air. I know J has some bigbores that wouldn't even get  started on a little tank like this. But you can shop around ;they come in a lot of sizes. From  a 6cf that weighs 2.6lbs on up with a couple  to look at in the middle. Some to consider would be a 19cf , a 30cf and a 40cf that weighs 15.3 pounds. all that would be a lot lighter to use for a range tank. I went with the the 13 cf because for my gun I should get 4-5 fills and it's super light weight. It shipped today , I'll let you know how it works out . I ordered from  http://www.scuba.com/   ;a sight I googled up that looked OK , had a great selection and decent prices. kirby Another thing this comes with a K valve that works with the set-up I have now.

[dw33]

Thanks, Kirby.

[kirby999]

FYI , using some info I just found out , I should get 6 full fills with my AA S400C , and 4 full fills with my S410H Classic that I've got coming with the 13CF tank. kirby

[Gene_SC]

Good link for tanks David. I will post it in the Mall as soon as I get a free minute.
Thanks

Gene

[IJL]

I dont know if this info will help any of you guys outside the UK but:-
Here, tanks under 1 litre capacity do not require a periodic hydro test.
Therefore we have 2, 900cl ish bottles, these are under 12" long and drop into a back pack comfortably with the sandwiches, cans etc. When filled to 232 bar from one of our regular scuba tanks they each give 1x 190 bar refill to the RWS or 2x 150 bar fills to a PCP converted QB.
The adapter is easily made from a block of ally with an O ring, gauge and fill tube, if you have a lathe and 4 jaw but remember to keep the holes small!!

Just our way of carrying "spare air" when we are out and about.

Ian

[kirby999]

Paintball guys are using a small wrapped bottle at 4500psi . I wasn't sure if one of those would be worth fooling with . The aluminum 13cf  tank is cheaper though and comes with a valve that's like the one on my 100cf tank. So I hope nothing else to buy. kirby

I think I read that these 4500 psi wrapped tanks have a regulator built into them.

I bought a 66cf 4500 survivair firemans tank and an adapter with hose.  I have not calculated how many refills I get but I know it is more than 6 on a condor.  I can refill at our local fire station, paintgun shop, or hook a regular scuba tank to the inlet of my nitroduck booster and boost the pressure to 4500 in the fireman's tank.  I could not fill but a couple of times off a regular scuba tank before the pressure started dropping.  Even living in rural South Mississippi I can find air for it when I need it.  It is a lot lighter than a scuba tank.

[kirby999]

Yes , I'm aware of the fireman's tanks and that it's  needed for a lot of guns , so is the 4500psi ;if you want a lot of fills.  but I hope if this works out and I think it will ,  it will show not everyone " needs" the bigger tanks or the higher pressure tanks . It all depends on  the gun you're going to be filling with it. This is one of those dark things that nobody ever brings up about  PCP's ; that needs to be clarified .Especially for someone just getting started . I've seen the fireman tanks go for $200+ but then you have to have the valves and fitting to use the tank, which could run another $200+ and once you get all your equipment , you may not find a place that will or can fill it. My  Air Arms Carbine gets 53 fills from a 3300psi 100cf tank  that I have  now. Today, I filled it to 190 bar which is about 2750psi , I shot approx 25 sight in shots, then shot a 50 shot match , for 75 shots and still had 130 bar(about 1800psi) showing on my guns gauge. I could shoot and have shot down to 110 bar before the  poi drops. If I get 4-5 fills off this 13cf aluminum tank that's light weight and cost only $135 and works with all the equipment I already have , I think Ive found something that's hardly ever mentioned. kirby