Paintball

[Hyjinx]

Ok, so I've done a search a few times but didn't come up with what I'm looking for, so forgive me if this has been asked and I've overlooked it.

Is it possible to build a personal fill station for a 72/3k tank? I know systems exist for scuba tanks, but what I'm thinking is something smaller, to refill a 13/3k from a larger Steelie to avoid lines at the field.

I know the output on a steelie is only around 8-900 PSI, so bottle adapter to fill nipple wouldn't do anything...I guess what I'm asking is are fill nipples only one way, or could something be used from nipple to nipple?

I'm not looking for a "it COULD be done" answer...I'm only interested in safe and legal. I want convenience, not to put anyone's life at risk.

[Nobody]

so you want to use the steel 72/3K as the bulk?

if that is the case, the a simple way to go is get a vert adapter or even an on/off ASA use the output of that into a steel braid hose, leading into a female QD to plug into your fill nipple of the 13/3K tank. the steel braid would have sufficient burst rating, so that's not a problem, as well as the QD and ASA.

what you would be doing is equalizing the pressure between the two tanks, just like filling off a scuba or bulk tank. since the tank your using is regulated, you won't or shouldn't need another to go from one tank the other.

[pizzaluvr]

Bur it will only fill the tank up to 800-900 PSI. You would have to go straight from the bulk tank to the 13/3k fill nipple.

[Hyjinx]

Originally Posted by pizzaluvr

Bur it will only fill the tank up to 800-900 PSI. You would have to go straight from the bulk tank to the 13/3k fill nipple.

I figured that much, I guess I just had a hard time explaining in my original post.

What I was thinking was that if the fill nipples on tanks were "two-way" (i.e. HPA can travel out as well as in) then a steel braid hose with female QD's and slide checks on each side would allow me to equalize to Around 2600PSI for each tank, and progressively lower for each subsequent fill after.

But something tells me that isn't exactly safe.

[pizzaluvr]

Yeah, that was a response to Nobody. I'm not sure if the fill nipple is two way. You would want to put a filter somewhere in there to slow it down.

OR you could put a T-fitting where the fill nipple normally is, then on one side put the fill nipple and the other side put an on/off valve. After the valve put some Stainless hosing and then put a female QD fitting. Then simply turn on the valve when you want to fill. The only problem would be getting a valve rated to 3000+ PSI.

[Tugboater203]

I don't recommend this at all. The fill nipple is meant to be one way. If the lines are long go with a scuba set up or look into getting a used SCOTT pack and using that as a fill station. That being said many fields won't let you use your own air fills anyway so it would only be good for renegade games and at home.
Tug

[ta2maki]

Just to add, you will not get very many 13ci fills off a 72ci/3000psi bulk tank. I use a scubatank/booster setup, but if I equalize fill an empty 88ci tank off a 80CF scuba tank, I only get 4 fills before it drops below 200psi.

To do the bulk fill correctly, you would need to replace the regulator with a valve to output 3000psi. I don't see this being cost effective at all. To fill yourself, best bet would be to get a scuba tank and fill station.

[winman]

Try airhog.com they make a valve that can turn a tahk into a fill station.

[super-cameron]

Where can you get a booster for a scuba tank (ot of curiosity and not trying to hijack the thread too much)?

[RealtorTommy]

First off with a question....

Does the field you play at let personal fill stations on their property?

Originally Posted by Hyjinx

Ok, so I've done a search a few times but didn't come up with what I'm looking for, so forgive me if this has been asked and I've overlooked it.

Is it possible to build a personal fill station for a 72/3k tank? I know systems exist for scuba tanks, but what I'm thinking is something smaller, to refill a 13/3k from a larger Steelie to avoid lines at the field.

I know the output on a steelie is only around 8-900 PSI, so bottle adapter to fill nipple wouldn't do anything...I guess what I'm asking is are fill nipples only one way, or could something be used from nipple to nipple?

I'm not looking for a "it COULD be done" answer...I'm only interested in safe and legal. I want convenience, not to put anyone's life at risk.