Low Pressure vs. High Pressure Paintball Tanks
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008Should I get a high pressure or low pressure N2 or HPA tank for
my paintball gun?
That’s a good question. Let’s get a few things straight first.
The terms “nitrogen tank” and “high pressure air” (HPA) tank
mean the same thing. Fields and stores use compressed air to
fill the tanks because air is more easily accessible. In the
past, nitrogen was more readily available to fields than more
expensive compressors. Today if you walk into a store and ask
for a nitro tank or a nitro fill they will know what you mean.
Second, “high pressure” or “low pressure” refers to the actual
output pressure of the regulator on your tank. The regulator
controls the pressure that your tank will use in your gun. High
pressure tanks usually output 800 to 850 PSI. Low Pressure tanks
usually output 450 PSI. Preset tanks have a fixed output
pressure from the factory which cannot be adjusted. Both HP and
LP tanks have preset outputs. Adjustable tanks like the
Nitroduck X-stream or the Empire Adjustable don’t have a fixed
output pressure and can be adjusted by the player to any output
pressure they need. This article will focus on preset tanks
because you can use adjustable tanks for any gun.
Now is HP or LP right for your gun? There are a few things to
keep in mind when considering this. First, what pressure does
your gun need to cycle and shoot a paintball? (This is called
the operating pressure.) Tippmanns, Spyders and other entry
level guns need 800 PSI or higher to operate, so you would need
an HP tank with these guns to generate enough pressure to allow
the gun to operate. So if you have a gun that needs 800 PSI to
work and you hook up a 400 PSI LP tank to it, you are not
putting in enough pressure to allow the gun to work. This is why
you would need a high pressure tank.
Mid- to higher-end guns typically operate with less than 300 PSI
input pressure and come with a high pressure regulator. High
pressure regulators go inline (in between) the tank and the gun.
These regulators can accept an input pressure of up too 850 PSI
and regulate it down to a user-adjustable setting to meet the
markers’ LP needs. LP guns can use LP tanks. Using an LP Tank
with an LP gun will result in better shot consistency over the
chrono because you are not putting as much stress on the inline
high pressure regulator. Having an LP tank with an LP gun will
also prevent or minimize hot shots if your inline regulator
fails. It will minimize the high pressure air spike going into
the gun which will typically cause your velocity to spike up as
well.
So in short, if you have an HP gun or an LP gun with an HP
regulator, you can use an HP tank. LP guns can also use an LP
tank. Some guns, like the Angel Speed 05, come with a built-in,
inline LP regulator so they can only use LP tanks. As technology
advances we are seeing more and more entry level guns becoming
LP, so it’s always best to check with the manufacturer of your
marker for their tank recommendations. And never buy a new tank
before you buy a new gun.
GA-02
