Something I did not know about the Brancato Alpha filter.

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bltefft

bltefft

Member
Jan 25, 2017
902
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West Central Georgia (Columbus, by Ft. Benning), U
I was watching one of Joe Brancato's YouTube videos covering the use of his Alpha filter and, wow, I began to understand something that really would have "messed up my day", had I tried it.

I did a snap shoot of a scene from the video to help you understand what I came to understand. The HPA compressor used here is not the one I bought. Mine is an Air Venturi 4500 HPA compressor (the one pictured is a Carette), The Alpha filter is that grayish-white colored cylinder with the "UP Arrow" on it. His left hand is touching the top of it.

Screen Shot 2021-03-05 at 1.12.27 AM.1614925844.png


The Alpha filter has a bleeder valve at the bottom, but not at the top - meaning you can depressurize the line between the compressor and the filter (and drain out the water it collected). However, there is no bleeder valve at the top of the filter. At the top is a one-way PMV (pressure maintaining valve). It lets air flow to your tank, but stops the air from backing up. It opens at about 2000 psi - that way, inside the filter, water is "squeezed" out of the air going to your tank. And because your tank has a bleeder valve, you'll be able to depressurize the line between the tank and the filter and disconnect your tank.

Okay, here's what I Iearned from Joe - DO NOT use this Alpha filter setup to fill a PCP or a bottle. Here's why, since there is no bleeder valve in the link between the filter and the gun/bottle, you will NOT be able to bleed the line and your PCP/bottle will be trapped under that pressure, "forever" connected to the Alpha filter. I reckon the only way to get the gun loose would be to degas it somehow - shoot the air out, open the purge screw (like on a Avenger PCP) or use the degassing tool on an M-rod.

I never even thought about that scenario happening and I'm so glad that I never used my fill station to fill one of my PCPs but, If I ever do, then I'm going to connect the compressor straight to my PCP, eliminating the filter from the pathway.

Here watch the video. At around 8:30, Joe begins explaining what I tried to explain.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KasBUZ4lX84&t=671s



Ya'll take care,

Bobby


 
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You have misunderstood what a PMV does. It is not a check valve but a valve that needs a certain amount of pressure to open it. It may or may not act as a check valve. A PMV is only useful if you are mostly filling your bottles from empty. I understand that if you only want to directly fill your gun with this type of set up you may run into problems but if you have a large bottle it is better to fill that and decanter to your gun or small bottle. I'm not a fan of direct gun filling using a large filter. IMO short runs are not healthy for the compressor and it wastes too much air filling that filter every time you top your gun off. It should go without saying that whenever you make your own filling adaptors you should include bleed valves on any isolated lines or filters. Don't get too carried away with Joe's educational videos. They are designed to empty the pockets of novices rather than offer useful advice.
 
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I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding but... I also have the air venturi 4500psi compressor. The air you think is being trapped is really not. I think you may be forgetting you have a pressure release valve on your compressor. This is the black valve on the bottom which releases all pressure inside your compressor and the hose which connects to your gun or scuba tank. Also you have a pressure release valve on your scuba tank. So there should never be any pressure left anywhere. If you fill straight to your gun......the gun fitting has a valve inside which does not let the pressure escape. So once it is filled just open the pressure release valve on your compressor and then the valve on your brancato water separator. This should release all the pressure. If I misunderstood I'm sorry.
 
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I have always had great respect for Joe who used his engineering skill for us and IS concerned about the safety of each of us. Yes he may actually be making a profit,, but when I bought from him his days needed another 6 hours in them. Working his regular job and building hose kits with appropriate materials,valves and gages. Not paint ball hoses etc. You get what you pay for and you get to keep your eyes and hands and fingers.
 
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Yes for your stated reason



sometimes I fill paintball tanks and pcp guns straight from the compressor which don't have bleed valves.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks, seems like I was thinking correctly. Like I said, all I use my HPA 4500 compressor for is to air up my 66 cu.ft. carbon fiber SCBA tank - it has a bleeder valve on it
 
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