Mag' Air Efficiency

[Z-man]

Originally posted by SlartyBartFast
There may indeed be a difference in number of shots. But it will be due to regulator design and not preset vs. adjustable. Although it's highly likely that the average preset is a better designed regulator than the average preset.

Perhaps that is the thing we are arguing over. I am not claiming that the ability to adjust the input pressure is the direct reason that the regulator is more efficient (though that would be another interesting test).

I am however arguing that in general the adjustable 4,500psi regulators are more efficient because they are built better.

Would you agree?

[SlartyBartFast]

Originally posted by Z-man
I am however arguing that in general the adjustable 4,500psi regulators are more efficient because they are built better.

Would you agree?

Well, I certainly won't agree with the use of the word "Efficiency" it should behaps be "effective" and I highly doubt that the differnce in shots would be significant, but as highly subjective generalisations go, I'll agree.

[Z-man]

As far as I am concerned, efficient to the extent that we are paintballers care means you get more shots out of the tank. Regardless of the actual design details, if the end result is that you get 200 more shots out of the same pressure, same volume tank, that is an increase in efficiency yes?

[MagMcBride]

Regulator Vent

Beg to differ man, my Max Flo has a vent on the front of the reg where excess air can leak from...

[hitech]

Re: Mag Setup

Originally posted by MagMcBride
Once again I only get about 500-600 shots from my tank and it has always been like this...

That is too low. You should get more than that. Here are some possible reasons:

1. Paint too small. If the paint is too small for the barrel you will have to turn up the velocity adj. To get the velocity you desire. This wastes air (it blows pas the paintball). It should give very consistent chrono reading, however.

2. Level 10 carrier too small. If the level 10 carrier is too small it will put extra pressure on the bolt stem and cause you to again turn up the velocity to get it too work. Try this. Remove the valve. Hold the valve vertical. Lift the bolt up until it comes off the oring, but the stem is still in the power tube tip. Let go. It should make it all the way to the valve body. If it stops on the oring, the carrier is too small.

3. Leaks. Any leak, even small ones will make a difference. If your tank has an output gauge and on/off valve, air it up and turn off the valve. Wait a few hours and check the gauge. If it drops, you have a leak.

Good luck.

[Z-man]

oh great that is a whole nother aspect that I would have to deal with.

Paint sizing and consistancy....

Still.. using real stuff you buy and testing in a real world setting can be more informative than a lab.... no one shoots under such conditions and as such they are unimportant I guess....

[SlartyBartFast]

Originally posted by Z-man
Still.. using real stuff you buy and testing in a real world setting can be more informative than a lab.... no one shoots under such conditions and as such they are unimportant I guess....

Actually no. In "real world" testing, you can have no idea how much of an effect a single variable has.

Without known variables and variation of only known test variables, test data is useless.

Now, in this case, using a tighter barel and playing with the rest of the set-up as-is WOULD be a valid real world test.

But, if it has always been low in the 500-600 shots per tank, then it may be a case of leaks or poor/low pressure fills.

[Z-man]

Originally posted by SlartyBartFast

Now, in this case, using a tighter barel and playing with the rest of the set-up as-is WOULD be a valid real world test.

But, if it has always been low in the 500-600 shots per tank, then it may be a case of leaks or poor/low pressure fills.

I that was spoken in refernce to our hypothetical discussion not this guys problem. I think for the sake of clarity Ill make a new thread once I do some preliminry testing and have some data to work with.

As for his problem, yes make sure the paint is matched to the barrel, that there are no leaks. I suppose the smaller spring on the LX would also help some though it would be a bit harder on the paint.

[MagMcBride]

I have matched midnight perfect with my AA and I Match Big Ball in my Dye SS so the paint isnt an issue. As far as the carrier is concerned, I put the one that is quite snug on, and I am positive it is not leaking. Um, about the leaving it on for several hours, my friend has a brand new 03' Max flow on his shocker and we both have gassed them up and laid them side by side and turned them off, then went to the movies and when we came back (about 3 hours later), mine was down to about 750 and his was at 40 (Shocker's max flo reg set to 300). He gets about 1300 shots from his so using a ratio, even if he DOES have a leak (which I am SURE he doesn't) it isnt enough to affect the performance. I dont know if the Max Flo just has a natural venting but I have used mine on a cocker and had better results with it (stated in above post) than with my Mag...I just wish I could get 800 shots from it (I play back in airball....kind of need to shoot alot) :)

[Z-man]

just out of curiosity, which model of the 3K Max-Flo is it? What year?

[MagMcBride]

THe old 99 (Before the lever design came out for it, it used a knob for on/off)

[hitech]

Originally posted by MagMcBride
As far as the carrier is concerned, I put the one that is quite snug on, and I am positive it is not leaking.

The carrier is too tight. Now that it is probably well broken in try a half size larger. See if it leaks. If not, try another half size larger. If that doesn't leak the chrono it. You should find that it is shooting hotter. Even if it isn't, try turning it down and see what effect it has on the chrono. I'm betting you will be able/have to turn it down.

[MagMcBride]

I HAD the one larger on it, the o-ring broke in, and it started leaking, so I put the one smaller on...so there goes that....

[hitech]

Try the bolt "drop test". If it "fails" then the carrier is too small. If it leaks with the next half size larger carrier then you need to start over with a different oring. BTW, a friend of mine had the SAME problem with his eMag. I had to change his oring to get one that would fit properly.

[MagMcBride]

Have tried swiching o-rings, the LX is setup just fine on the mag, and besides like I said this has ALWAYS been like this on my mag (even before I had my LX)