Author Topic: Akela won't fill!! (Read 4668 times))

Greg_E · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2021, 03:45:28 PM »

Craig,

That's interesting. I have a Benjamin pump too, maybe that's why I haven't had issues.

I also bought the version 2 Benjamin Traveller compressor... Man that thing is LOUD! I didn't want to mess with water cooling, even though I know it is better. The V2 has the 120 volt AC supply built into the box, and still offers 12v charging from a battery. Haven't used it much yet, the snow is still hanging around!

phoenix02 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2021, 01:46:08 AM »

Good news! I got the fill station in for my scuba tank. Cracked the air and slowly brought it up until there was a good amount of air leaking out the barrel, then cocked and fired the gun a couple times. This attenuated the air flow, so I figured the valve was trying to seat. I cocked it one more time and blipped the valve on the scuba, which popped whatever was leaking into place and filled to about 1500PSI. I fired a few times then filled up to 3k, dry fired a few times and different power levels, then topped off to 3k again and now I'm going to let it set overnight to make sure it's holding air well.

Looks like the patient is going to make it without going back to Crosman, but golly, I have NO idea how someone could have made this work without a high pressure source.

-Michael

RatRacer · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2021, 01:59:27 AM »

Quote from: phoenix02 on March 19, 2021, 01:46:08 AM

Good news! I got the fill station in for my scuba tank. Cracked the air and slowly brought it up until there was a good amount of air leaking out the barrel, then cocked and fired the gun a couple times. This attenuated the air flow, so I figured the valve was trying to seat. I cocked it one more time and blipped the valve on the scuba, which popped whatever was leaking into place and filled to about 1500PSI. I fired a few times then filled up to 3k, dry fired a few times and different power levels, then topped off to 3k again and now I'm going to let it set overnight to make sure it's holding air well.

Looks like the patient is going to make it without going back to Crosman, but golly, I have NO idea how someone could have made this work without a high pressure source.

-Michael

Sometimes it is the nature of the beast. Learning curves of a new hobby are sometimes foreign in thought logic, but are there nonetheless.
Stuff happens.

Greg_E · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2021, 12:27:28 PM »

It still seems like there is a problem to me, or are other people saying this is normal? Once you slam some air in there, it should seal and it sounds like you still had issues until you really opened the valve. I doubt my compressor would have given it enough of a burst to get your valve to close, the piston is very few cc per stroke in order to build the high pressures.

I'd probably contact Crosman and hope that your message to sent to someone that actually works at Crosman which doesn't seem to be happening lately (at least not for me).

kbstingwing · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2021, 01:13:49 PM »

maybe get adapter for regular air compressor, 1/4" fosters to 1/8" fosters or just use a air blower gun held tight against the probe, use a standard air compressor just to get enough air volume to seat the seal on the poppet, then the hand pump might work.

phoenix02 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 19, 2021, 02:13:51 PM »

Well, I spoke too soon. It dropped about 150 PSI overnight, so something still isn't right. Going to call Crosman.

-Michael

phoenix02 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 19, 2021, 02:29:07 PM »

Well, that was annoying. It's only 1:30 eastern and Crosman support is closed. I put a ticket in through the website and will have to call again on monday.

null · « **Reply #27 on:** March 19, 2021, 09:33:31 PM »

I'll give my input from years of working on airguns and 14 years of working PCP guns...

A properly working PCP will fill from empty to full, from any air source; hand pump, compressor, or tank. Whenever someone has given me a gun that did this, I stopped and took it apart to find that either a seal was scored/worn or there was manufacturing debris in the softer seals or valve issues.

This is why the gun isn't holding pressure and why it was evacuating out of the barrel when trying to be filled. When the user filled it fast, it allowed for the seals to expand enough to now hold air. If the user shoots it enough, when it gets to a lower pressure, I have a feeling it all of a sudden evacuate all at once. Have had that happen.

It also goes against the rule of filling too quickly -- that is very hard on o-rings and can also potentially lead to overfilling conditions if not careful.

I would've not even chanced filling it in case something went wrong and I would've boxed it up and reached out to Crosman support. At this point, I wouldn't mention what you did, but you can if you wish. Make sure you empty it before putting it in the post... please.

With that being said, I gave my $0.02.

Antaeus776 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 19, 2021, 10:22:42 PM »

FWIW, my Akela arrived full in mid-September 2020. I ended up returning it anyway, but that's a different issue: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=178099.msg156018957#msg156018957

Quote from: CraigH on March 14, 2021, 08:45:51 AM

Quote from: RatRacer on March 13, 2021, 07:14:36 PM
John, the engineer from Crosman, said the other day on a FB group that as of ~Aug 2020, all pcp's are being shipped empty from Crosman. So it's not a defect that it arrived that way.

So just in the last months of last year. Members have stated their new Turkish Benjamins have arrived with 3000 psi.

Not sure I like the new policy. I expect it is some shipping agency issue. And likely an air freight issue.

But the rifle should be able to be hand pumped. I will say though that I had an issue a couple of years ago with pumping an empty rifle with Hill and chinese pumps, but the Benjamin pump would start the empty gun fill. The Benjamin has a shorter hose, or perhaps the slightly larger diameter pump tube delivers a bit more volume per stroke. So I use the Benjamin pump for fills after having degassed.

phoenix02 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 19, 2021, 11:02:08 PM »

I'll be sending it back. I just dry fired it down to empty, and about 10% of the shots were misfires, the trigger set but then it felt like it would release about half way through the travel and then not fire, so I had to pull the trigger again a couple times then recock and it would fire. Something is weird in the action and I'm not about to dig in and void a 5 year warranty I specifically bought the gun over a Puncher/Breaker for.

-Michael

null · « **Reply #30 on:** March 20, 2021, 11:42:08 AM »

^^

Good job!

Even though I can fix most anything, and have the tooling, I try to take advantage of manufacturers warranties, because I'm that type of guy. You say it's good for 5 years, you better make it right.

I've had folks bring me their broken airguns before and I tell them straight up, if it's under warranty I no touchy unless you want the warranty voided. I also tell them why would you pay me to fix it, when post is cheaper than me fixing it? Ain't like it's gonna get done any quicker... lol

shifty06 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 23, 2021, 02:19:24 PM »

Have the same issue. Received rifle yesterday (Monday). Arrived with 0psi. Thought ohh great. Tried to fill couldn’t. Cocked gun like directions say still couldn’t. Only have hand pump Benjamin.

Filed a RMA. An been approved.

Gun will be going back, an I’ll be put on the list for a FX impact in .22 700mm when they come in.

Have a compressor on order.

This just got real.

Greg_E · « **Reply #32 on:** March 23, 2021, 03:55:51 PM »

I think there may be new rules about shipping these empty, so not an immediate sign of trouble. But as soon as it won't take pressure, that's a problem. Kind of glad I had troubles ordering one, but then again the rifle I did order went back for repair to some shipping (

) damage and still no idea when I'll get a new one shipped. Been over a week since it got back and they said they would ship a new one (Krale in Netherlands) as opposed to fixing it. Funny thing is this model I'm waiting for does show as in stock, if they wait too long I'm going to change to a refund an do something else.

Koofic · « **Reply #33 on:** March 27, 2021, 10:47:35 AM »

Same thing with my new akela. When I called support they said that the guns come in from Turkey with 0 psi now. Their suggestion was to find someone with a tank and use it for the initial fill or send it back to them for an initial fill. Fortunately there is a dive shop near me with some very nice folks who were able to fill the gun directly for me. It didn't lose any air overnight and the next day I was able shoot a couple mags worth of pellets and top it back up with my handpump.

shifty06 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 27, 2021, 11:41:43 AM »

Quote from: CraigH on March 13, 2021, 08:44:49 AM

You have done all that is possible - the valve should be seated. The fact the rifle arrived without air tells all.

Call Monday for RMA and replacement. Some like disassembling guns with 5-year warranties - I don't.

I still think something is not right. I have a Disco been sitting in closet 6 years on 0Psi. (Has a slow leak)Got out the old hand pump. Took air right away.

I’m in agreement with statement above. You shouldn’t have to shock the system to get it filled from 0. If something needs shocked to get set for the first time then that should be done at factory.

Sad as I really hit the lottery with the wood grain on mine. Just as nice as some of my grade 3 browning wood. An EL wood on my berettas. Not quite EELL tho.

mrbulk · « **Reply #35 on:** March 27, 2021, 02:00:18 PM »

Quote from: shifty06 on March 27, 2021, 11:41:43 AM

Sad as I really hit the lottery with the wood grain on mine. Just as nice as some of my grade 3 browning wood. An EL wood on my berettas. Not quite EELL tho.

Ask for a replacement action only, and keep the stock you have?

shifty06 · « **Reply #36 on:** March 27, 2021, 02:21:44 PM »

Quote from: mrbulk on March 27, 2021, 02:00:18 PM

Quote from: shifty06 on March 27, 2021, 11:41:43 AM

Sad as I really hit the lottery with the wood grain on mine. Just as nice as some of my grade 3 browning wood. An EL wood on my berettas. Not quite EELL tho.

Ask for a replacement action only, and keep the stock you have?

She done down the road.

mrbulk · « **Reply #37 on:** March 27, 2021, 11:12:43 PM »

Quote from: shifty06 on March 27, 2021, 02:21:44 PM

Quote from: mrbulk on March 27, 2021, 02:00:18 PM
Quote from: shifty06 on March 27, 2021, 11:41:43 AM

Sad as I really hit the lottery with the wood grain on mine. Just as nice as some of my grade 3 browning wood. An EL wood on my berettas. Not quite EELL tho.

Ask for a replacement action only, and keep the stock you have?

She done down the road.

Greg_E · « **Reply #38 on:** April 01, 2021, 11:44:02 PM »

This must be a Kral thing. Got my Empire X back today and after checking to see what kind of damage customs or UPS did to it, set about trying to fill it. Tried my hand pump first, got nothing but air coming out of the barrel. Tried my compressor next, and it initially failed. But they I tried again while cocking and dry firing several times. Eventually it started to build pressure. Got 150 bar in it before my mismatched fill adapters couldn't handle more pressure. At least I can track it for leaking now.

phoenix02 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 02, 2021, 12:18:21 AM »

My Akela was received on tuesday after multiple shipping delays.

Any idea how long I should wait to hear back from Crosman repair before I call them?

-Michael

Thank you to our advertisers!

Akela won't fill!!

Author Topic: Akela won't fill!! (Read 4668 times))