CO2 SETUP

Provided By - Tim Brown

WARNING: ONLY THOSE COMFORTABLE WITH HIGH PRESSURE GAS SETUPS SHOULD ATTEMPT ANYTHING SEEN ON THIS PAGE. FURTHERMORE, YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF, AND IN NO WAY MAY I BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING YOU TRY.

Step 1: Choosing your set-up
There are basically three different methods of using CO2 as a way of pressurizing a pneumatic air cannon. Your purpose for using CO2 will determine which method is best for you. The three methods are:



12 gram CO2 cartridges

12 gram cartridges are used for single shots, one cartridge equals one shot. This type of setup is often used in paint ball situations, such as a mortar or under barrel cannon. Although this can become mildly expensive, when looking for something compact and something that won't be shot just for fun all day long, 12 gram cartridges are a good choice.



12-24 oz. CO2 Paint ball tanks

Paint ball CO2 tanks are also good to use in paint ball situations or for miniature cannons, such as baby carrot guns or anything with a small chamber. The tanks themselves can be refilled at paint ball stores for fairly cheap, however the real cost is in the regulator.<br>




5-50 Pound bulk CO2 tank

Bulk CO2 tanks are the best option for a regular old spud gunner. A 20 pound tank will yield 660 liters of 100 PSI gas, or in other words, it will fill a 2” x 36” chamber approximately 330 times to 100 PSI. (Conditions have to be right with the correct temperature and a couple other variables, but you get the point, it’s a lot of gas.) As you might imagine a bulk tank setup is the most expensive but the way to go for anyone looking for portability and quick fills.

Step 2: Setting up a 12 Gram system

Very few parts are needed for setting up a 12 gram system and all but one can be found at your local home improvement store or hardware store. The material list is as follows:
1. 12 gram quick change adaptor
2. 1/2" black galvanized coupler
3. 1/2" black galvanized closed nipple

The quick change adaptor can be found at most paint ball pro shops, or online paint ball stores such as http://www.actionvillage.com. This is what they look like:



Once you have all of your materials, simply apply epoxy to the smaller threads of the quick change and screw it into the coupler as tightly as possible. The threads on the adaptor are finer than the threads on the coupler and therefore won't be a perfect fit, this is why you need to apply the epoxy. I have found the a good amount of JB Weld will do and if you use enough you won't have any problems with leaks. Next use some Teflon tape and wrap it around the closed nipple a couple of times and screw it into the other side of the coupler and attach it to your cannon.

Note: A 3" x 6" chamber pressurized with one 12 gram cartridge will be at about 100 PSI. And remember to always add a pop-safety valve on your chamber. Also be careful as to not let any liquid CO2 come in contact with your PVC when you are pressurizing as it can super-cool the PVC and cause it to become very brittle.

Step 3: Setting up a paint ball tank system

A paint ball tank system requires more pieces and subsequently more expensive, but still a good option. In addition to your tank, found at paint ball stores, you need a regulator. This unit regulates the pressure coming out of the tank to a useable pressure for spud gunners. Don't buy the cheapest regulator you can find because you are dealing with very high pressures and you don't want something to go wrong. In most cases you should buy an actual paint ball gun regulator from a paint ball store. You want one that is adjustable and can go down to at least 125 PSI. Just talk to an employee at your local paint ball store to find out which you should get. Another option is to buy a reg from www.swampworks.com. There regulators are set at a constant 140 PSI and are often cheaper than a paint ball reg. If you use a reg from swampworks, you must also get the appropriate fittings to hook it up to your tank. The outlet from the reg is a 10-32 thread, search on Mcamster.com for hoses and adaptors. If you use a paint ball reg, you will need a hose to hook the reg to your chamber.

Note: I am being quite vague with the details of this for two reasons. Not all setups will be exactly alike, and CO2 can be very dangerous so only those with the know-how not to hurt themselves can figure out what else to do.





Step 4: Setting up a bulk tank system

For total portability a bulk tank is the way to go. You can buy tanks from as small as 5 pounds, to as large as 100 pounds or more. I have found the most practical is a 20 pound tanks, plenty of shots, but not too big to be cumbersome when trying to transport it. You can buy bulk tanks from a couple different places, welding supply shops, restaurant supply shops and some scuba diving shops, or even online. The price for a 20 pound tank will be somewhere around $100 for a used tank which is just fine to get as long as it has been hydro tested in the last 3 years. The next thing that you need to get is a regulator. Although it is nice to have an adjustable regulator, they are totally not necessary. You can buy a fixed reg for about $40 at the same place you got the tank. I got one that is constantly set to 140 PSI at Toll Gas and Welding for just under $40. You can buy the same one as I did at http://www.williamsballoons.com/co2_regulators.htm for about the same price. (Get the 150 female) If you would like to an adjustable reg you can get one from http://www.spudtech.com/detail.asp?id=25.
Once you have your tank and reg, all you need is an air hose and you are set to go.



Note: Once again this is kind of vague for the same purpose as above.
That's all there is to it. If you take the information given here and a little imagination you should have no problem setting up your own system. And as always, keep it safe.

Provided By - Tim Brown