P.E. Tank Regulator Issues

[djsubert]

All,

I have an older fiber wrapped Pure Energy HPA tank (88/3000) with the reactor serviceable regulator. The link below references the manual.

http://www.paintballsolutions.com/pdf/manuals/pureenergy/PE_manual.pdf

I recently replaced all of the regulator O-rings because the regulator was leaking from the pin valve. Now I have the opposite problem. When I press the pin valve with either my ON/OFF ASA or a standard ASA, only a small amount of air is released from the pin valve.

From this I have 2 questions:
1. Is there a safe method to drain the tank? I ask because it has taken nearly two weeks to only bleed 500 PSI (of 3000) from the tank.

2. Does anyone have any insight as to why pressing on the pin valve doesn't release any air or possible solutions?

Thank!

Dave

[athomas]

There is an obstruction in one of the air passages.

You can purge the tank by inserting a metal pin into the fill nipple and depressing it. This will allow air to flow out of the tank through the fill nipple. You have to be careful, because the air is at full tank pressure. Using a short nail with a large flat head works well. Use a vise or some other device to depress the nail. Be careful to prevent the air from coming out too fast. This will prevent the pressure from making it a projectile.

edit: corrected spelling mistake - changed "large flat heat" to "large flat head"

[djsubert]

Thanks for the note.

I thought I would also pass on information I read from another article on the same topic.

It suggested placing the tank in a vise and slowly loosening the lower pressure burst disk until air begins to vent. The only nuance is to ensure the burst disk is SLOWLY loosened to prevent the burst disk from also turning into a projectile.

I'll also take a look for clogged air passages in the regulator. Thus far, I found the large Oring on the regulator piston was shredded. So it looks as though I'll have to purchase another rebuild kit.

Thanks Again,
Dave

There is an obstruction in one of the air passages.

You can purge the tank by inserting a metal pin into the fill nipple and depressing it. This will allow air to flow out of the tank through the fill nipple. You have to be careful, because the air is at full tank pressure. Using a short nail with a large flat heat works well. Use a vise or some other device to depress the nail. Be careful to prevent the air from coming out too fast. This will prevent the pressure from making it a projectile.