Hey guys, I am curious to know how you de-pressurize the cylinder in a PCP rifle? Is it important to not leave the cylinder under pressure for long periods?
Better to leave it fully pressurised to keep the seals in shape.
It is critical to de-gas if you are going to work on the internals of a gun. Each gun has a different method. Post the gun you are talking about and we can tell you how to get it done safely.
If you leave the PCP EMPTY for prolonged periods then you may find leak problems in the future. Easiest no brainer way to degas is to keep shooting it at targets and critters just have fun till it pisses all the air out at the end that way you enjoy shooting it down and not waste air.
Actually it is better for a pcp to stay pressurized. Unless your working on it as stated above. Now as a general rule you would first research your rifle and see if there are any factory recommendations for degas procedures. The marauder has a tool for example. Or you can shoot it down. that can be a quick process for larger calibers or take forever with a 177. The other option is to point your air guage away from yourself and start unscrewing slowly until you hear a hiss. Walk away and come back. If the hissing stopped crack it a little more until you hear it hiss again. Repeat as necessary. Work on your gun and fill it again right after. Uncharged guns get dust inside the tube and components. It will require a full teardown and clean up if this happens. Leave it charged! If you good luck.
If the time is not very long.I suggest keeping the air.Frequent filling and de-cylinders will reduce the service life.
If you have to de-pressurize cylinder.It depends on the structure.But there is one point pay attention to.if the gun has regulator.So the pressure has to start at the lower end
if you have a regulated system, leave it minumum 5-10 bar above the regulator pressure..... if your rifle is not regulated, you can leave it somewhere between 130-200 bar
Only time i ever depressurize my guns (other then maintenance) is if I am getting them ready for airline baggage which used to be 3-4 times a year. To depressurize the tube/bottle unscrew the pressure gauge.