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Old 01-09-2012, 06:18 PM   #1
POP22
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Northern NY
Posts: 20
Default The frustration of HPA

Several months ago I jumped on the HPA bandwagon. I bought a Powermax Hipac for my custom 2240. Then i bought a "never used" Benjamin hand pump. I happily pumped away...to no avail. because it was "new" I sent it for repair. Got it back and pumped up my Hipac twice... a total of about 100 strokes..... and FAIL again. I get the kit and rebuild it myself. THREE times... each time a different oring fails. SO, I get fed up and look into buying a 4500 psi rated tank, package with "everything I need"... I sell my Airforce Condor to be able to buy, ( I was taking the tank to a painball guy to fill it ) a tank, valve, and fill hose. The $70 hose arrives with a serious gouge in it so email the place I bought it. I get this reply, ( actual quote from the email):" Please send it back and I will replace it. I guarantee it happened when the box was cut open as I personally packed your shipment and checked the hose prior to shipping." I felt that was a rather rude comment from someone running a business and should not have been put in the email. Well, I'm not stupid and know enough to be careful opening a box with $500 worth of stuff in it! The hose was in a plastic bag. there was no cut in the bag, so so much for his comment.
I get the replacement hose. I had previously found a paintball shop willing to fill my tank, even thought they are closed this time of year. Cool! I truck my stuff over there on a day that's about 15 degrees and windy, only to find out, I DON'T have everything I need! GRRRRRRRR!!!

My point is, there are so many variables and no guide to go by, you end up figuring it out by trial by money....
And here's the thing.There are too many variables. I checked in the site where i bought my tank, and there are two main types of fill valves, and at least 7 different fill probes and adapters! How was I to know I'd also need to have a male to male ( paintball )adapter in order to fill my tank!
And in the middle of all this, I am suppose to be testing a new valve design. I'm feeling really bad about putting my foot in my mouth on that one. SO, I'm waiting for the adapter and praying we don't get snow before I get it, because I'm screwed if we do. there's NO place within a 100 miles that can do a 4500psi fill. I can get a 3000 psi fill and it will be fine for testing with the 2240, but that leaves me with a rifle I'd likely get 2 or three useable fills for. I'm about ready to chuck it all and go back to CO2.........

Last edited by POP22; 01-09-2012 at 06:49 PM..
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