Filling airforce airguns from scuba tanks ?

[YEMX]

Officially, carbon fiber wrapped tanks last 15 years, so that's what I'll tell you.  That's as long as you take care of them, of course.  If you get the Great White w/option 2a, you're ready to use it, nothing else needed.  Okay- so, here it is, for the Great White:

Tank Capacity: .............................88 cu ft (I know, the G.W. says 97 cu ft... its a pressure thing)
Tank Pressure: .............................4500 psi
Fill airgun to: ...............................3000 psi
Refill at: ......................................1950 psi ( I just picked this number to give an idea of fills)
Tank Reservoir size: ......................490 cc

A Great White will fill your gun 23 times...  a 80 cu ft 3,000 psi tank will fill your gun 0 times. 

Go to: http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Tanks/FillCalc.html once you figure out how low you're going to shoot your tank, and what you're going to fill up to.  These numbers were just put in there to give an idea. 

To look at this another way... if you get say... 50 shots from shooting from 3k psi down to 1950 psi, and your Great White gives you 23 refills... that's 1,150 shots.  so a little over two full tins of pellets.  Again, these are just to give an idea... 

Also keep in mind:  80 cu ft tank at 3,000 psi will give you ZERO refills.

It's a lot of money up front, BUT... an $800 tank is only $53 bucks a year, for 15 years.  If you're also getting a compressor so that you don't have to worry about going somewhere to get filled... that's even better... 

Consider:  driving to and from the refill place, plus the amount it costs for refills in a given year, plus the $53/year for the tank... I would just as soon get a compressor set up at the same time as the tank and be done w/it...  High initial cost, YES.  But over time, will pay for itself.  I bought all my stuff a year ago, and w/the amount of money saved in filling the tank, all the equipment will have paid for itself in another month or so...

I bought: 

1st stage compressor: .................... $240
Freedom 8 compressor: .................. $1,150
Great White w/ package 2A: ............ $800

Grand Total: .................................. $2,190

There's other compressor options out there too!  You don't have to go w/the shoebox...

[starlingassassin]

but another thing to consider,

most never run their condor at 3000psi unless shooting cast bullets.


the condors seem to shoot best shot strings with pellets with the power wheel all the way down and a 2500-2700psi fill,

so even more fills would be had out of a great white.


calculated with the aoa calculator filling to 2600 and refilling at 1900 you would get 45 fills. 

[awahl]

Check here: http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Tanks/FillCalc.html

From 2000 to 3000 it will fill the condor about 30 times.  If you go 2200-2800 it is about 54 times.  All depends on what your preferences are. 

The tank is good for five years from purchase date, then needs to be hydrotested.  Cost varies, but here it is $40.  Good for another 5 years.  15 year total lifespan before it cannot be refilled commercially.  I know guys that use their own compressor to fill them beyond the expiration date.  That's your choice of risk though.

[GLPalinkas]

Brock, you are getting lots of good info.

However, budget minded people like me suggest another alternative. A STEEL scuba tank can be filled to 3441psi. Mine gets filled to 3700 and when it cools ends up with 3400psi. I can fill my .25 Marauder (2600-1800) at a lower tune approx 40 fills. (40 fills times 30 shots equals 1200 pellets) Your prospective gun should work the same. You won't need to fill at 3000 unless you are wanting max power for bigger game hunting.

A used STEEL tank is what you want. SCUBA places will fill and they are closer to you. It is hard to find a 4500psi fill in your area. I know, I tried. The fire dept did it but it's a pain.

Got my fittings from Joe B. And although not cheap, they are first class quality.

To answer the big question, I bought a used STEEL tank and fill adapter for $200.

Hope this helps.

[Brock3798]

 What's a 1st stage compressor sorry I don't know much about this 

[Brock3798]

I think I might just save my money and buy a shoebox and two airforce tanks I mean I don't know how many shots you get out of them 30 to 70 I would say so while I am shooting charge the other one ! Said it takes 33 minutes to fill one and then eventually might buy the great white if money comes along would this work? I mean I still have a hand pump when I need it

[Whome1525]

What's a 1st stage compressor sorry I don't know much about this 

 Shoebox compressors need 85 to 120 psi to feed them to get up to 3000 or 4500psi. Up the price and you do not need them BUT the price goes up.


   Steve

[454 Big Block Chevy]

Honestly a big 4500 tank is the best way.  Most of us have spent the money.  A new 4500 scba carbon fiber tank has a 15 year lifespan.  Hydro at 5, 10, and condemn at 15.  It's not cheap but air is th e life blood of pcp.  Pump... or pay not to.

[awahl]

I have a scuba tank that I got last year.  It was kinda cool filling the gun the first couple of times, and then helping out with the pumping for the next few times.  I received a CF great white tank last week   I had it filled this weekend.  Seems like I am cheating now not using the pump.  About 10 second to fill the gun as slowly as I can.  It used to take about 150 pumps or so to fill the Condor.  I didn't mind the workout, but each night I filled it several times, my neck would be all knotted up.  I really think it is a good investment.  A new gun woulda been more fun though, I do have to admit.