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difference between steel bottles and finer bottles. 3k and 4.5k psi

Ashleypowell

Member
May 27, 2015
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As the title states, what is the difference between these, and are they that performance effecting?

Just wondering as i want to buy a new Bottle, but not sure what to aim for!
 

Tom

Tom
Nov 27, 2006
4,076
1,210
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Salisbury
www.TaskForceDelta.co.uk
As far as the gun is concerned it just takes the air so it does not matter if the cylinder is 3000psi or 4500psi

A standard steelie at 3000psi is in fact an aluminium cylinder.
This will work for most people, and will have a flat bottom
Anything with a flat base is at maximum 3000psi.
A cylinder with a curved base is probably a fibrewrapped 4500psi cylinder.

A fibrewrapped cylinder is a thinner aluminium, but fibre wrapped for reinforcement which gives more strength and can allow higher pressure.

An aluminium cylinder is heavier than the same sized fibre cylinder. But not the vast difference in weight that some will say. Balance is more relevant. A 'standard' fibrewrap is bigger than a 'standard' aluminium, which means they are closer in weight.

An ultralight fibre cylinder does have a real weight difference.

If in doubt buy a standard aluminium cylinder at about £30. For air capacity and lifetime it is the best VFM
This will last 5 years minimum, and if the site accepts it, aluminiums are valid for 10 years. You can then have it hydro tested, but its probably not worht the time and money.

A fibre cylinder will cost around £150, or more for an ultralight or if you want a specific size, shape, regulator etc.
Then it expires at 5 years, and can be retested until it is 15 years old. It will cost about £200 for 15 years of life if you get it tested without having to post it.

Most of the time there are only fills up to 3000psi so you usualy won't get the extra air capacity to 4500psi.

The real reason to buy fibre is for balance and ergonomics. The right size and shape to fit you.
With a round base (which is now available on some 3000psi cylinders) you can roll the cylinder in your shoulder giving an ideal stock for paintball.
 

Ashleypowell

Member
May 27, 2015
43
2
18
30
As far as the gun is concerned it just takes the air so it does not matter if the cylinder is 3000psi or 4500psi

A standard steelie at 3000psi is in fact an aluminium cylinder.
This will work for most people, and will have a flat bottom
Anything with a flat base is at maximum 3000psi.
A cylinder with a curved base is probably a fibrewrapped 4500psi cylinder.

A fibrewrapped cylinder is a thinner aluminium, but fibre wrapped for reinforcement which gives more strength and can allow higher pressure.

An aluminium cylinder is heavier than the same sized fibre cylinder. But not the vast difference in weight that some will say. Balance is more relevant. A 'standard' fibrewrap is bigger than a 'standard' aluminium, which means they are closer in weight.

An ultralight fibre cylinder does have a real weight difference.

If in doubt buy a standard aluminium cylinder at about £30. For air capacity and lifetime it is the best VFM
This will last 5 years minimum, and if the site accepts it, aluminiums are valid for 10 years. You can then have it hydro tested, but its probably not worht the time and money.

A fibre cylinder will cost around £150, or more for an ultralight or if you want a specific size, shape, regulator etc.
Then it expires at 5 years, and can be retested until it is 15 years old. It will cost about £200 for 15 years of life if you get it tested without having to post it.

Most of the time there are only fills up to 3000psi so you usualy won't get the extra air capacity to 4500psi.

The real reason to buy fibre is for balance and ergonomics. The right size and shape to fit you.
With a round base (which is now available on some 3000psi cylinders) you can roll the cylinder in your shoulder giving an ideal stock for paintball.
i see thank you for the information!
What about 0.8L compared to 1.1L?
 

Tom

Tom
Nov 27, 2006
4,076
1,210
198
Salisbury
www.TaskForceDelta.co.uk
i see thank you for the information!
What about 0.8L compared to 1.1L?
Weights from the links below, shots from the link below for 'average' efficiency

0.78l 48ci aluminium 1600g 590 shots at 3000psi
0.8 48ci fibre 1000g 886 shots at 4500psi
1.1 68ci fibre 1100g 836 shots at 3000psi, 1255 at 4500psi
1.1 68ci ultra lite 650g



Some info in the links below
http://p8ntballer-forums.com/threads/bottle-weights.158899/

http://p8ntballer-forums.com/threads/bottle-comparison.172387/

http://www.scubatoys.com/paintball/paintballshots.asp
 
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Tom

Tom
Nov 27, 2006
4,076
1,210
198
Salisbury
www.TaskForceDelta.co.uk
What does it look like when a 4500psi bottle leaks ??
No look as it's just air leaking, the only visual would be if you drop some water around a suspected area and see if there are bubbles, or dip the regulator in a bow of water and look for bubbles

Listen for hissing, and monitor air pressure

However, note that air gets hot when you fill so if you fill to 4500 then wait half an hour to cool and the pressure will drop
To minimize the effect fill slowly, and fill as soon as you leave the game then top up before going into the next game
 

ckennedy

Active Member
Feb 28, 2016
88
15
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some useful info there. Thank you :) as my carbon bottle is ready for testing I may go on the hunt for a steel/ali one as the price for testing it is about the same as a new steel/ali one. I do have a spare one but my brother uses that when he plays so only good for half the time.
 

Tom

Tom
Nov 27, 2006
4,076
1,210
198
Salisbury
www.TaskForceDelta.co.uk
some useful info there. Thank you :) as my carbon bottle is ready for testing I may go on the hunt for a steel/ali one as the price for testing it is about the same as a new steel/ali one. I do have a spare one but my brother uses that when he plays so only good for half the time.
As you already have a fibre then I would recommend testing it
Consider a fibre to be an investment for its 15 years of life

Shop around for testing, it will be approx £40 if sent away but cheaper if you can hand it over and collect
Look around for dive shops as well, the price will vary but they can arrange tests. (Even better if you find an IDEST centre as they do the tears

You could get a test sorted for £25 or perhaps cheaper
 

ckennedy

Active Member
Feb 28, 2016
88
15
28
33
Thanks Tom. I know of a dive place close to me so I'll give them a bell and see what they say.