Ok total noob question, bear with me. If i fill the tank on my pcp at sea level, and drive to higher elevation, say 6000+ feet elevation. Could that be disastrous for my rifle or me??
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- Thread starter Buckless Yooper
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As long as you are a safe driver, both you and your rifle should arrive safely.
Seriously, it’s only a few PSI difference, so no problem. Going from cold temps to warm temps can be more of an issue. But as long as you fill your bottles to the recommended pressure, at near room temperature, they have a factor of safety that is high enough to survive those slight over-pressure conditions.
Seriously, it’s only a few PSI difference, so no problem. Going from cold temps to warm temps can be more of an issue. But as long as you fill your bottles to the recommended pressure, at near room temperature, they have a factor of safety that is high enough to survive those slight over-pressure conditions.
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Sea level air pressure is 15psi. You can take that cylinder to the top of Everest or even the full vacuum of space and the cylinder gauge needle will barely move.
Firefighters take these cylinders into burning buildings so while I wouldn’t let mine sit somewhere hot, I’m comfortable that even if I did it wouldn’t matter.
Firefighters take these cylinders into burning buildings so while I wouldn’t let mine sit somewhere hot, I’m comfortable that even if I did it wouldn’t matter.
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You'll see a larger fluctuation if you filled the tank in freezing temps then move to a warmer/hot area, it will expand for sure. This you may already know.
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You could put your tank/airguns into a perfect vacuum and would be no issue regarding pressure. Pressure changes due to temperature changes are more significant as some have noted. As an example I have a 88 cu ft CF SCBA tank that was filled to approx 3,800 PSI when I put it my car to go to my gun club. The tank was at 68 degrees in my home. The tank was in the trunk of my car on a 90 degree day for about 2 hours. When I checked the pressure at the gun club it was up to 4,100 PSI. After experiencing this I now have my tanks filled only to 4,200-4,300 PSI during summer months to allow for the temp expansion to keep everything under 4,500 PSI. Cooler months I go full 4,500 PSI fills.
I would not be concerned about temperatures (within reason). CF tanks are hydro tested at 7,500 PSI (I believe..). If a PCP gun reservoir goes a little above its max pressure I would not be too concerned. For liability reasons the airgun HPA reservoirs have a good safety margin. A 3,000 PSI gun is not going to explode at 3,200 PSI. Potentially you might have a valve issue but that's all I would expect. Regards
I would not be concerned about temperatures (within reason). CF tanks are hydro tested at 7,500 PSI (I believe..). If a PCP gun reservoir goes a little above its max pressure I would not be too concerned. For liability reasons the airgun HPA reservoirs have a good safety margin. A 3,000 PSI gun is not going to explode at 3,200 PSI. Potentially you might have a valve issue but that's all I would expect. Regards
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No worries! Tanks are hydrotested @ up to 3x the gauge maximum pressure without failing. That altitude won't cause problems at all.
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As Gerry52 mentions, these tanks are safe to significantly higher pressures. The main reason you don't run them to 7000psi is you'll be destroying your o-rings, you'd have a significantly smaller margin of error . . . and compressors would be way more expensive.
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1 atmosphere = 1.013 bars
Pretty sure you will be fine even if you drive to the moon for vacation.
Pretty sure you will be fine even if you drive to the moon for vacation.
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