Compressed Air (HPA) Systems
Overview
Compressed air systems, commonly referred to as High Pressure Air (HPA), supply regulated air to paintball markers for consistent velocity and reliable operation.
Key Points
- Typical fill pressures are 3000 psi for aluminum cylinders and up to 4500 psi for carbon fiber tanks.
- Provide more stable pressure output than CO₂ under changing temperatures and firing rates.
- Require periodic hydrostatic testing according to DOT or TC certification markings.
- Used as the standard propellant source in modern competitive paintball.
- Consist of a cylinder, regulator, and fill nipple assembly.
Details
High Pressure Air systems became the predominant propellant choice in paintball as markers and formats evolved toward higher rates of fire and tighter velocity control. Common configurations use 3000 psi aluminum cylinders or 4500 psi carbon fiber wrapped cylinders, with the regulator stepping this down to an output in the approximate 450–850 psi range. Some systems and markers use low pressure output regulators to support specific spool valve or electronically regulated platforms.
All HPA cylinders must carry appropriate approvals, such as Department of Transportation (DOT) or Transport Canada (TC) certifications, and are subject to periodic hydrostatic testing. This testing confirms that the cylinder continues to meet expansion and integrity requirements. Routine maintenance focuses on inspecting O rings, verifying that fill nipples and burst disks are in working order, and ensuring that threads and sealing surfaces remain clean. The adoption of HPA significantly reduced variability associated with temperature sensitive CO₂ systems and contributed to more consistent marker performance across a wide range of playing environments.
Video References
Related Topics
Linked From
- Aluminum Air Tanks
- Carbon-Fiber Air Tanks
- CO₂ Tanks
- Mechanical vs Electronic Markers
- Paintball Air System Overview
- Paintball Air Tank
- Paintball Gear Overview
- Paintball Loader
- Paintball Marker
- Paintball Marker Air Efficiency
- Paintballs (Paint)
- Personal Chronographs
- Tank Regulators
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