How Often do a Regulator's Belleville Washers need to be Replaced

[SpiralGroove]

Hey Bob,
- On average how long do a regulator's Belleville Washer (springs) last before crapping out?

- Also, as they loose strength, do their set-points tend to skew UP or Down?

Seems like the SP would be reduced: As I understand it - more spring tension creates a higher set-point?

[rsterne]

If you don't drive the Bellevilles flat, and keep them in the middle of their travel, they should last indefinitley.... I have never seen a regulator gradually lose setpoint pressure over time, personally....

Bob

[Motorhead]

Agree with what Bob has stated ... So long as bevels are within reasonable / engineered preload and so heavily loaded up so as to create flattening .... NEVER.

Set point changes generally happen as the seat wears and gets cratered ... This generally has set point RISING over time because spool has to travel farther compressing bevels further.

[SpiralGroove]

Thanks guys,
I hadn't shot my BAM B50 much in years and was surprised that she shot JSB 10.34 pellets at 960 fps, when it was originally set for about 890 fps.  I will just have to go in and reduce my striker screw a bit to compensate or clip a coil off the hammer spring.

This highlights the need for a RVA - per Bob, which I never installed.  Not that it's a big hassle, but it's a hassle just the same.

[rsterne]

Likely cause is as Scott described the HP seat flattening/wearing which increases the spool travel to seal, compressing the Bellevilles more and increasing the setpoint a bit....

Bob

[SpiralGroove]

Sounds like the solution you're recommending is to reduce the regulator's set-point instead of hammer strike - right?
This will likely continue as the regulator's seat flattens ... compressing the belleville washers.

[Motorhead]

Sounds like the solution you're recommending is to reduce the regulator's set-point instead of hammer strike - right?
This will likely continue as the regulator's seat flattens ... compressing the belleville washers.

Mechanically speaking ..... If your seeing such a rise in velocity with regulator now at a higher pressure it is telling the balance between strike energy and pressure was NOT balanced to begin with.  In such a situation it sounds like a reduction in hammer strike would be the best immediate solution.


IMO,
Scott

[rsterne]

I agree....

Bob