1
Difference between CO2 and compressed air
CO2 is a liquid that changes pressure with temperature and can cause velocity swings and cold damage. Compressed air (HPA) delivers a stable, regulated output and is required by most electronic markers.
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03
Air Systems
Your air system stores serious energy. Understanding it keeps your marker consistent and, more importantly, keeps you safe.
Academy progress0 / 8 lessons
What you will learn
- Compare CO2 and compressed air
- Read tank pressure and hydro dates
- Care for regulators, threads, and o-rings safely
Lesson steps
2
Tank pressure basics
Common HPA tanks are rated 3000 or 4500 psi with a regulator that outputs roughly 450-850 psi. Never exceed the rated fill pressure stamped on the bottle.
3
Regulator care
Keep the fill nipple clean and capped, avoid dropping the tank on the regulator, and have output pressure changes handled by a qualified airsmith.
4
Hydrostatic test dates
Composite tanks are typically hydro tested every five years and retired at fifteen years from the manufacture date. Fields will refuse to fill an expired bottle.
5
Inspecting tank threads and o-rings
Check bottle neck threads for damage, confirm the tank o-ring is intact, and stop using a tank if the regulator can be turned by hand in the bottle.
6
Safe storage and transportation
Store tanks out of direct heat, upright and secured, ideally with a thread protector. Transport them unmounted from the marker.
7
Never apply oil near a high-pressure fill nipple
Oil and grease can ignite in high-pressure oxygen-rich environments. Keep all lubricants far from the fill nipple and burst disc.
Safety warning
Never modify, drill, heat, or attempt to repair a tank or regulator, and never fill a tank past its rated pressure or after its hydro date has expired. Damaged high-pressure systems must be retired, not fixed at the field.
Equipment checklist
- Tank with valid hydro date
- Thread protector or nipple cap
- Tank o-rings
- Fill station access
- Manufacturer tank manual
Common mistakes
- Ignoring the hydro date
- Oiling the fill nipple
- Leaving a tank in a hot car
- Letting the regulator loosen in the bottle
Quick quiz
0 of 8 lessons completed