Someone explain LP/HP to a thickie please.

[davejeff66]

Good evening.

I'm getting confused as to the whole HP/LP thing. What's the difference exactly (apart from one being higher pressure than the other, obv)? I mean, it all comes from the same bottle right? The same bottle which is at the same pressure? So what's different on a marker that operates at a Low Pressure to one that operates at a High Pressure? Is it simply a case of having a different regulator? And why aren't all markers LP? How many more questions can I ask?

 

[HERMITT]

Low pressure air systems have an output of 450psi

High pressure airsystems have an output pressure of 850psi.

These come in the form of preset regulators that screw on to the bottle. The bottle can be a 3000psi or 4500 psi bottle. That number is the volume/pressure that the bottle can be filled to and has no relation to its output.

There are adjustable regulators that allow you to customise the output pressure these include the armaggeddon and the angel AIR.

 

[davejeff66]

Thanks. So how do I know what preset my bottle is?

 

[HERMITT]

As far as the markers are concerned some prefer to run off a low pressure output because that is what the marker was designed for. In particular that is what the inline regulator is optomised to receive. The downside of low pressure is that is less efficient and therefore you get less shots from a fill. Low pressure markers do have a lower impact on the paintball and therefore are less prone to ball breaks.

 

[HERMITT]

First off what reg is it?

 

[Tom Allen]

Adding to Hermitts ample description.
Markers that use LP rather than HP, this is because the first reg is designed to have an input pressure around 400 - 500psi, and gives its optimum output with that input pressure. Think of it like a golf club, there is a certain point on the face of a golf club that is called the sweet spot, and gives the best contact on the ball. It's the same with regs, they need this optimum input to give the reg it's best control.
And you'll find that a reg with a lower input pressure will have a finer control over it's output.
The design of markers over the years has changed from high pressure, to low pressure, as the technology has improved. Low pressure markers give a softer shot, which is better on paint, and reduces kick considerably.

Hope this helps.

 

[davejeff66]

Everyone seems to know more about everything than me. Cheers Tom, and Hermitt:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/davejeff66/DSC00533.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket">

This bit?

 

[HERMITT]

That is a high pressure pure energy reg with an output of 850psi. You can see by the name on the sleeve and the fact its a red colour.

 

[HERMITT]

It also appears that its a 4500 luxfer 1.1ltr bottle

 

[davejeff66]

so what does all this mean? are there some markers that i can't use this bottle with because it's high pressure?