Marcus Chen
Paintball guns operate with compressed gas—air or CO2—from tanks filled to 3,000-4,500 pounds per square inch (psi). There are two types of paintball CO2 containers: 12-gram disposable (non-refillable) CO2 cartridges and refillable CO2 tanks or cylinders. Refilling these tanks requires heavy-duty compressors and equipment. Although compressed air may offer better performance than CO2, few stores have the capability to refill air tanks with it. By law, filled gas tanks for paintball guns cannot be shipped, except for one-time use and 12-gram CO2 cartridges. If you own a scuba tank, you can fill your paintball tanks at home.
Characteristics and Values of Paintball Gun Tanks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of gas | Compressed air (air or CO2) |
| Pressure | 3,000-4,500 psi |
| Filling options | Dive shops, paintball pro shops, scuba tank, scuba fill station, fire department |
| Cost | A few dollars |
| Tank material | Carbon fibre (for 4500 psi tanks) |
| Tank capacity | Measured in ci (cubic inches) |
| Tank weight | Heavier tanks require less refilling |
| Tank size | Measured in cubic inches of space and pounds per square inch |
| Tank brand | Stormrider 2, Tippman, Ninja Paintball, Empire Cylinder, Gladiatair |
| Tank model | 48/3000, 4500 Gladiatair 68ci, 77ci, 88ci |
| Tank filling technique | Dry ice |
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What You'll Learn
Filling paintball tanks at home
Types of Paintball Tanks
Before exploring filling options, it's essential to understand the different types of paintball tanks available. Paintball tanks can be broadly categorised into two types: disposable and refillable. Disposable CO2 cartridges are typically used in low-end paintball guns, pistols, or old-school brass paintball guns. On the other hand, refillable CO2 tanks are made of aluminium and can be refilled until they reach a prescribed weight. Most electronic paintball guns use compressed air, while mechanical guns can use either High-Pressure Air (HPA) or CO2.
Equipment Needed for Refilling
To refill paintball tanks at home, you will need to purchase or acquire some specialised equipment. Here are the key components:
- Tank: You will need to buy a refillable paintball tank. The cost of a new tank can vary, but they are typically priced around \$200 to \$250.
- Fill Station: A fill station is required to attach to the valve of your tank and facilitate the refilling process. It is crucial to be mindful of pressure ratings and ensure that the fill station is compatible with your tank's specifications. The cost of a fill station can range from \$350 to \$500.
- Adapters and Valves: Depending on your setup, you may need adapters and valves to connect your tank to the fill station. Ensure that you purchase the correct type of adapter for your specific tank and fill station combination.
- Compressor or Gas Source: You will need a source of compressed gas to fill your paintball tank. This could be a scuba tank, a medical O2 tank, or a dedicated gas compressor. Each option has its own advantages and considerations.
Safety Precautions
When refilling paintball tanks at home, safety must be a top priority. Here are some essential safety precautions to keep in mind:
- Pressure Ratings: Always be mindful of the pressure ratings of your tank and fill station. Filling a tank beyond its pressure limit can be extremely dangerous.
- Cross-Threading: When attaching valves and adapters, be cautious to avoid cross-threading. Cross-threading can damage the threads and compromise the safety of the connection.
- Professional Guidance: If you are unsure about any aspect of the refilling process, seek guidance from professionals or experienced individuals. Online communities and forums can be a valuable source of information and advice.
- Ventilated Area: Ensure that the refilling area is well-ventilated to prevent the buildup of gas, which can be hazardous.
By following these guidelines and seeking further advice from experienced sources, you can safely and effectively refill your paintball tanks at home, ensuring that your paintball gun is always ready for action.
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CO2 vs compressed air tanks
CO2 and compressed air tanks are used to fuel paintball guns. The type of tank you use will depend on the marker (gun) you have, as well as your budget, and how often you play.
CO2 was initially used for paintball because of its density—it is much denser than compressed air. CO2 is typically used for lower-end mechanical markers, as it can cause electronic components to wear prematurely. CO2 tanks are also rated to a lower pressure than compressed air tanks—850 psi compared to 3000 or 4500 psi. This means that CO2 tanks need to be larger to deliver the same number of shots.
One issue with CO2 is that it is difficult to tell how much is left in the tank during a game. With compressed air, you can use a pressure gauge to see when you're running out of air. CO2 is liquid in the tank, so the pressure will stay constant until it has all gone.
Compressed air tanks are more reliable and easier on the internals of the paintball gun. They are also more versatile, allowing the player to play in any weather and with any firing frequency. Compressed air tanks are also refillable at home if you have a scuba tank. However, they are more expensive and fewer stores are able to refill them.
Both types of tanks have their advantages and disadvantages, and the one you choose will depend on your marker, your budget, and your personal preference.
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Paintball tank regulations
Paintball tanks refer to both the containers that hold paintballs and the vehicles used in the game. This text will outline the regulations for both.
Paintball CO2 Containers
There are two types of paintball CO2 containers: 12-gram disposable (non-refillable) CO2 cartridges and refillable CO2 tanks or cylinders. Refillable CO2 tanks are made of aluminium and are filled until they reach a prescribed weight. CO2 tanks are rated at a much lower pressure than compressed air tanks.
Paintball Vehicle Tanks
Paintball vehicle tanks are modified vehicles that resemble military fighting vehicles. They can range from a minivan to a bus, with an example of a full-size tank being a pickup truck with gun ports and windows replaced by netting.
General Safety Regulations for Paintball Vehicle Tanks:
- All tanks must have a working, non-expired fire extinguisher.
- All tanks must have an emergency brake and a wheel chock to prevent accidental movement when not in play.
- All tanks must have safe entry and exit points for passengers.
- No players are allowed within 15 ft of a moving tank.
- The number of tanks allowed on the field at once may be limited for safety reasons.
- All tank personnel must have an emergency exit strategy and a means of communication, such as a horn or PA system.
- Tanks must be approved by the event organisers and inspected for safety before the game.
- Tank commanders are responsible for the conduct of their crew and are considered general referees.
- Powered vehicles may not operate at night, and if moved, must be escorted by safety walkers with flashlights.
- Mounted paint markers must chronograph at 260 FPS, and mounted airsoft guns at less than 380 FPS.
- Tanks must have sufficient hard surface area to ensure Nerf rockets bounce but do not penetrate.
- The use of netting as the primary surface area for light tanks is discouraged, and tanks without some hard surface area may be disqualified.
- All glass windows must be removed from paintball tanks unless specifically inspected and allowed by the game promoter or producer. A net screen must be applied over an airsoft tank's glass.
- No sharp or protruding metal/blunt objects are allowed to extend from tank bodies, and all wiring must be safe and inspected.
- Drivers and owners of powered vehicles must have a valid driver's license and off-road vehicle/ATV liability insurance of at least $250,000 per incident, with Engler Paintball, LLC, and Tactical Diversions, LLC as additional insured.
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Paintball tank capacity
Paintball air tanks are the power source for paintball guns. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and capacities, with the capacity of the tank being one of the most important considerations when buying one.
The capacity of a paintball tank is usually indicated by two numbers, e.g. "68/4500". The first number refers to the internal volume of the tank in cubic inches, and the second number refers to the maximum psi (pounds per square inch) that the tank can be filled to. The larger these numbers, the bigger the tank and the more air it can hold.
There are two main types of paintball tank: refillable CO2 tanks and disposable CO2 cartridges. Disposable cartridges are typically used in low-end paintball guns and paintball pistols, or old-school brass paintball guns. Refillable CO2 tanks, on the other hand, are made of aluminium and are filled until they reach a prescribed weight.
For most players, an internal volume of 48 cubic inches is sufficient, although some players opt for tanks with a capacity of 68 cubic inches for increased volume and endurance. Tanks with a capacity of 48 cubic inches and 4500 psi will hold 50% more air than a tank with the same internal volume but only 3000 psi.
It is important to note that not all paintball markers are compatible with all preset output pressures. High-end markers, in particular, may have different output pressure specifications. When purchasing a new compressed air tank, players need to match the regulator output pressure to the required input pressure of their marker.
Some popular paintball tank options include the HK Army Aluminum 48/3000 Air Tank, which has a capacity of 48 cubic inches and can handle 3000 psi, and the Ninja Lite Air Tank, which comes in various sizes (45, 50, or 68 cubic inches) with a capacity of 4500 psi.
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Where to refill paintball tanks
Paintball guns operate using compressed gas—air or CO2—from tanks filled to 3,000–4,500 pounds per square inch (psi). Refilling these tanks requires heavy-duty compressors and equipment.
There are two types of paintball CO2 containers: 12-gram disposable (non-refillable) CO2 cartridges and refillable CO2 tanks or cylinders. Refillable CO2 tanks are made of aluminium and are filled until they reach a prescribed weight.
If you're looking to refill your paintball tank, the first place to look is your local paintball store and competition field. Most shops and fields have the equipment to safely fill compressed air tanks, and some will fill them for free. However, you're more likely to pay one to three dollars for every 1,000 psi. If there is not a paintball field or store in your area, try asking local paintball enthusiasts—they may know of unrelated businesses that have invested in HPA tank compressors and will fill tanks on the side.
Another option is to buy a scuba tank, which can be filled at your local scuba shop and then used to fill your paintball tank at home, provided you also purchase a scuba fill station. A 3,000 psi scuba tank will fill a compressed air tank for a paintball gun about 15 to 20 times, but it will cost a few hundred dollars, and you will need to pay to get it filled.
If you're considering compressed air, look into local tank-filling options before making a purchase, as few stores have the capability to properly refill air tanks with it. You can also refill your paintball tank at a dive shop, or, if you know a firefighter, at your local fire department.
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Frequently asked questions
Paintball guns operate with compressed gas—air or CO2—from tanks filled to 3,000-4,500 psi. Refilling these tanks requires heavy-duty compressors and equipment. It is best to get a 4500 psi tank "fill station" that is made to fill paintball guns.
There are two types of paintball CO2 containers: 12-gram disposable (non-refillable) CO2 cartridges and refillable CO2 tanks or cylinders. Disposable cartridges are used in low-end paintball guns and paintball pistols, while refillable CO2 tanks are made of aluminium and are filled until they reach a prescribed weight.
CO2 tanks are rated at much lower pressure than compressed air tanks. If you fill a CO2 tank with compressed air to the CO2 tank's limit, you won't have enough propellant for a single hopper. However, CO2 tanks are simple, easy to maintain, quick to fill, and very common. Compressed air may offer better performance, but few stores can refill air tanks with it.
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