Best tank reg for A5?

[Albatross]

I didn't want to do this, but looks like I'm going to have to...

Long story short (as most of this is contained in my Wanted thread: http://www.billspaintball.com/vb3/showthread.php?22608-Evil-Scion-Adjustable-Regulator ), I am having A5 velocity issues and have eliminated pretty much all of the usual causes. This is further affected by the flatline I want to run on it. I refuse to believe I need to use BBs or clicky pen springs to solve this, though some may think that a new reg is more extreme.

I wanted to get an adjustable reg (e.g. Scion) just so I can crank the power up to solve the problem, but not having any luck getting one. Sections suggested I get a Ninja adjustable reg, so I just wanted some confirmation that this is viable alternative before I spend the dough - not that I doubt him at all.

Any thoughts or alternatives?

Thanks.

[HeDsHoTz]

A couple of options you have are:

Get an aftermarket spring kit such as Maddman spring kit (http://www.maddmanproducts.com/Home_Page/Spring_Kits.html). I have one of these, and it worked for me to get my velocity up. A stiffer spring will cause the rear bolt / hammer to hit the valve pin harder, and allow more air to flow from the valve which will raise the velocity of the marker.

The other option you have is to invest in a HPA reg. Ninja make good adjustable regs, which are easily adjusted by adding shims to the stack inside the reg. I can't find a link to the adjustment shims on the Ninja website, so you'd probably have to email them an enquiry. The other reg option i'd suggest would be to get the Myth reg (http://www.paintballshop.com/Product.aspx?ID=2198334&Category=2030436), and replace the standard spring with the up-rated HPA spring (http://www.paintballshop.com/Product.aspx?ID=2255851&Category=2030436) to bring the output pressure of the reg to 850psi.

Sometimes, the A5 has issues with getting velocity when on HPA. The frequent culprit of this was the A5's valve housing (inside the powertube) restricting the flow of air from the valve. This can be easily fixed by writing to Tippmann and letting them know of your velocity issues with HPA, and they will probably send you out one of the updated X7 valve housing for nothing. I have heard of them doing this often for people with the same issues. The newer X7 valve housing has 4 air channels machined into the side of it instead of 2. If you post a picture of the powertube disassembled, I could identify which version of the housing you have. This may be the issue, and whether you have a new HPA reg, spring kit or whatever, you may still have velocity issues (using air. Will work fine with CO2) without having the updated valve housing.

[Albatross]

Cheers for that, mate. Yeah, I have the Madman spring kit (my red spring has a kink it from trying the 'macro line slid over the drive pin' fix to get my velocity up).

I was reading up on the Ninja reg, and saw that out of the box it's set up for the highest pressure (850-900psi). So to lower the pressure you take shims out, but I wonder what would happen if you added extra shims that what's already in there. Probably not the best idea as I don't fancy death by exploding HPA.

As for the valve, my a5 is a couple of years old ('06/'07) so I expect it will be the older version. So you reckon that's the first thing to eliminate? Suppose I could hit Tippmann up, but I'm assuming that worst case scenario I can get an X7 valve from o/s or something. Hopefully that won't require a b709a.

[Albatross]

Clear... ZZZAAATTT

Just an update on this issue, since I'm sure it's been keeping people up at night.

Based on the previous suggestions, I decided to get a new valve housing for my a5, and was going to invest in the adjustable Ninja reg. However, in waiting to get the dough together - and for the Oz $ to improve - I discovered that Ninja had recently released a new super high pressure regulator, designed specifically for Tippman markers running RTs and Automags.

http://www.ansgear.com/Ninja_SHP_Super_High_Pressure_Tank_Regulator_450_p/ninjatank-regshp.htm

I thought this might be handy for people having the same velocity issues.

Fortunately I got the order through Customs without a problem. I installed the new valve housing and opened the reg to take the shims out (there were 2 thin silver ones). All I need to do now is get out to Samford soon, gas up and shoot my A5 + flatline. I'll try it with another tank to see if the valve housing alone solves the problem, otherwise fingers crossed I'll be rocking a steady 280 across the chrony.

[HeDsHoTz]

Good to hear 'tross.

That valve housing should do the trick. That paired with the Ninja SHP reg should see you clear up any low velocity issues you have.

Post up results when you get out to the field and give it a test fire.

[Albatross]

Update

Finally got out to Samford to test my a5 out, and the good news is that the velocity is way up with my new valve housing and super high pressure reg. With my velocity screw in what I would call the 'usual' depth, and with a flatline installed, the gun was shooting about 320. I had to turn the screw in pretty far to get a steady 280.

The gun was shooting fine for the first part of the day, but after a while it started to break paint. I was shooting Evil, which admittedly has a pretty soft shell being tournament grade paint, but it didn't seem to be a problem early on. Having a look at the screw, it seemed like it was out further than before, so I have this feeling that the extra pressure in the gun was turning the screw out.

I didn't get a chance to test the gun on a standard HP reg just to see if the valve housing was enough on its own. I'll check that next time.

The only bad thing about the new reg was that it wouldn't fit on my 91cu tank - I couldn't screw it all the way in because the pressure gauge was contacting with the neck of the tank. Fortunately it fit fine on my 64cu.

[Medieval Knight]

so I have this feeling that the extra pressure in the gun was turning the screw out.
Sounds like an easy fix if it is the case *cough*loctite*cough* ;)

[HeDsHoTz]

I reckon the Evil through the flatty is what's causing you issues.

If you shot it through a normal barrel, you'd probably not suffer with these issues. The flatline is a bit on the picky side when it comes to fragile paint.

If you use Meteor or something a little less brittle, you should be fine.

[Albatross]

You're probably right, Hedshotz - it was the sort of stuff that would break just by dropping it from a few feet. Probably never going to get very good performance out of it when shooting it out a HP blowback. It might have been old too, but I figure once I'd broke a ball in the barrel the first time, the chances of it happening again were pretty good.

I still got more testing to do, but I'm happy with the upgrades. Not necessary like some other A5 aftermarkets, but they will help anyone with velocity problems.