CO2 in a fiber HPA tank? - Page 2

Tugboater203 · 10-12-2006, 02:56 AM

I askeds this very same question a while back. Here are the answers I got.

Co2 in carbon fiber?

Tug

it was burried on page 8

aqua_scummm · 10-12-2006, 10:58 AM

As you know HPA tanks are rated for either 3000, 4500, or 5000 PSI. CO2, regardless of how full it is (for the most part- overfilling is a concern), is always the same pressure (as long as the temperature is the same). At room temperature, it's about 850 psi. At 120ºF, with a CO2 tank that is 100% full (which you should never, ever do, 75%-80% is a proper fill), the pressure is still below 2k.

So will it work? Yes, the tank will hold it. However, if your regulator is not up to par (and most aren't designed for holding CO2, which can cause seals to break if liquid touches them and expands), then you can have a bad situation.

All in all, it is possible, sounds like it's been done often enough, but I wouldn't do it unless I knew my reg VERY well

Walker · 10-12-2006, 02:02 PM

No regulator involved.... Both of mine, from SmartParts, had pin valves....

Walker

__________________________________________________ ____________

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqua_scummm

As you know HPA tanks are rated for either 3000, 4500, or 5000 PSI. CO2, regardless of how full it is (for the most part- overfilling is a concern), is always the same pressure (as long as the temperature is the same). At room temperature, it's about 850 psi. At 120ºF, with a CO2 tank that is 100% full (which you should never, ever do, 75%-80% is a proper fill), the pressure is still below 2k.

So will it work? Yes, the tank will hold it. However, if your regulator is not up to par (and most aren't designed for holding CO2, which can cause seals to break if liquid touches them and expands), then you can have a bad situation.

All in all, it is possible, sounds like it's been done often enough, but I wouldn't do it unless I knew my reg VERY well

aqua_scummm · 10-12-2006, 02:21 PM

Well then I see no issue, but if something goes wrong, it won't look good.

Why not just spend the $20 on a new CO2 tank?

P4p3Rc1iP · 10-12-2006, 02:33 PM

Yes, you can fill a HPA tank with CO2, but once you've done it, it can no longer be used for HPA.

Due to the cold temperatures of liquid CO2, there is a chance the aluminum (yes, a carbon fiber wrapped tank has an aluminum inner shell, the carbon fibre is just there to give it strength while remaining lightweight.) inside the tank will shrink too much causing it to seperate from the carbon fibre. This greatly reduces the tank's strength so it can no longer be filled with HPA (Which is at a much higher pressure than CO2! 3000+ PSI compared to CO2's <1200 PSI).

So is it worth to fill up an expensive HPA tank with CO2 making it useless for anything else? I'd say no...

HurtCow · 10-12-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqua_scummm

Why not just spend the $20 on a new CO2 tank?

Because a hpa tank will hold much more co2 for gas hogs like Shockers and Vectors.

aqua_scummm · 10-12-2006, 02:55 PM

ohhh, makes sense.

Chappy · 10-12-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P4p3Rc1iP

Yes, you can fill a HPA tank with CO2, but once you've done it, it can no longer be used for HPA.

Due to the cold temperatures of liquid CO2, there is a chance the aluminum (yes, a carbon fiber wrapped tank has an aluminum inner shell, the carbon fibre is just there to give it strength while remaining lightweight.) inside the tank will shrink too much causing it to seperate from the carbon fibre. This greatly reduces the tank's strength so it can no longer be filled with HPA (Which is at a much higher pressure than CO2! 3000+ PSI compared to CO2's <1200 PSI).

So is it worth to fill up an expensive HPA tank with CO2 making it useless for anything else? I'd say no...

I'm pretty sure it was proven that this effect was negligable, and caused no damage. But that's just heresay(as is most of the info in this thread, I suppose)

P4p3Rc1iP · 10-12-2006, 03:03 PM

Ohw...

Well, it's just waht I was always tought.

Better safe than sorry...

Chappy · 10-12-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P4p3Rc1iP

Better safe than sorry...

Definitely. Probably best to get it rehydroed at least before using HPA again.

10-12-2006, 02:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tugboater203 www.yankeepaintball.com Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oxford,CT	I askeds this very same question a while back. Here are the answers I got. Co2 in carbon fiber? Tug it was burried on page 8 __________________ Connecticut's woodsball field! Bookmark www.yankeepaintball.com Open weekends 9-4! What others think of me Tugs Feedback Authorized Dealer for CCM,CCI, Tippmann, Planet Eclipse, Tiberius Arms, and DYE . Distributor for Valken, KEE, APP and Procaps Need Yankee Paintball info fast? Email or call 203-906-9621.

10-12-2006, 10:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
aqua_scummm Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles	As you know HPA tanks are rated for either 3000, 4500, or 5000 PSI. CO2, regardless of how full it is (for the most part- overfilling is a concern), is always the same pressure (as long as the temperature is the same). At room temperature, it's about 850 psi. At 120ºF, with a CO2 tank that is 100% full (which you should never, ever do, 75%-80% is a proper fill), the pressure is still below 2k. So will it work? Yes, the tank will hold it. However, if your regulator is not up to par (and most aren't designed for holding CO2, which can cause seals to break if liquid touches them and expands), then you can have a bad situation. All in all, it is possible, sounds like it's been done often enough, but I wouldn't do it unless I knew my reg VERY well __________________ Got an Outlaw game in the LA or San Francisco area? Please PM me!

10-12-2006, 02:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
aqua_scummm Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles	Well then I see no issue, but if something goes wrong, it won't look good. Why not just spend the $20 on a new CO2 tank? __________________ Got an Outlaw game in the LA or San Francisco area? Please PM me!

10-12-2006, 02:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
P4p3Rc1iP Seasoned Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Leeuwarden, The Netherlands	Yes, you can fill a HPA tank with CO2, but once you've done it, it can no longer be used for HPA. Due to the cold temperatures of liquid CO2, there is a chance the aluminum (yes, a carbon fiber wrapped tank has an aluminum inner shell, the carbon fibre is just there to give it strength while remaining lightweight.) inside the tank will shrink too much causing it to seperate from the carbon fibre. This greatly reduces the tank's strength so it can no longer be filled with HPA (Which is at a much higher pressure than CO2! 3000+ PSI compared to CO2's <1200 PSI). So is it worth to fill up an expensive HPA tank with CO2 making it useless for anything else? I'd say no... __________________

10-12-2006, 02:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
aqua_scummm Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles	ohhh, makes sense. __________________ Got an Outlaw game in the LA or San Francisco area? Please PM me!

10-12-2006, 03:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
P4p3Rc1iP Seasoned Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Leeuwarden, The Netherlands	Ohw... Well, it's just waht I was always tought. Better safe than sorry... __________________

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