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CO2 vs Compressed Air (N2/HPA)
One of the most common questions beginning players ask is the difference between using Compressed Air (also referred to as Nitro, Nitrogen, N2, HPA or High Pressure Air) and CO2 tanks. In a nutshell, both provide pressure for a paintball marker to cycle and propel the paintball. However, both work on a different principle and sometimes only one can be used.
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) was the first propellant used in paintball and set the standard for many years. These are filled with liquid CO2 which expands to create the pressure used for the marker. This pressure fluctuates due to elevation, temperature and other variables but the benchmark is 850 psi (Pounds per Square Inch).
Using CO2 has some positive advantages. The tanks tend to be smaller and lighter than HPA while yielding the same or more shots per fill. Facilities to have the tanks filled are generally easier to find as many gas/ welding supply and fire extinguisher shops have the means to fill your tanks as well as sporting goods stores and paintball pro shops. The number one reason for CO2’s enduring popularity is it's low cost. The tanks are very inexpensive, so a player can easily own several tanks, thus having plenty of air for a full day of fun.
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CO2 vs Compressed Air (N2/HPA)
One of the most common questions beginning players ask is the difference between using Compressed Air (also referred to as Nitro, Nitrogen, N2, HPA or High Pressure Air) and CO2 tanks. In a nutshell, both provide pressure for a paintball marker to cycle and propel the paintball. However, both work on a different principle and sometimes only one can be used.
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) was the first propellant used in paintball and set the standard for many years. These are filled with liquid CO2 which expands to create the pressure used for the marker. This pressure fluctuates due to elevation, temperature and other variables but the benchmark is 850 psi (Pounds per Square Inch).
Using CO2 has some positive advantages. The tanks tend to be smaller and lighter than HPA while yielding the same or more shots per fill. Facilities to have the tanks filled are generally easier to find as many gas/ welding supply and fire extinguisher shops have the means to fill your tanks as well as sporting goods stores and paintball pro shops. The number one reason for CO2’s enduring popularity is it's low cost. The tanks are very inexpensive, so a player can easily own several tanks, thus having plenty of air for a full day of fun.
CO2 does have its drawbacks. Because it is a liquid turning to gas, it cools as it expands. This isn’t a big deal if you don’t shoot much, but is very noticeable when shooting rapidly. The pressure begins fluctuating high and low with the result that your marker’s performance and accuracy begins to suffer. As the tank chills it begins drawing liquid CO2 up into the marker, resulting in pressure spikes that can push velocities into unsafe speeds. If you see big white clouds of vapor coming out the muzzle and white snow falling out the barrel (its actually dry ice) when shooting, you can bet that liquid worked its way into the marker. In cold weather the pressure can get so low that many paintball markers won’t cycle properly. Liquid CO2 is hard on the seals of your marker and can cause damage if it works it way into the solenoids of many electropneumatic markers (like the Ion, Invert Mini and Matrix).
Compressed Air came onto the scene, offering more consistency and reliability in an air source. Rather than filling the tank with liquid, they are pressurized up to the tank’s capacity of 3000psi or 4500psi. The pressure is then regulated through the tank’s regulator on the way into your gun. The beauty of HPA is that the pressure is much more stable than CO2, and changes due to shooting fast or playing in cold weather are barely noticeable. Today’s electropneumatic markers were designed with these tanks in mind.
HPA has three drawbacks. In some remote areas getting tanks filled can be a problem (tire pumps and shop compressors do not work, they rarely go over 180psi). The tanks tend to be a bit larger and bulky compared to CO2. Lastly, they do cost more than CO2 tanks. But, when you consider these drawbacks compared to the enormous benefits of HPA, these are easy to overlook.
HPA is the better investment in the long run. The benefits over CO2 in all-weather performance are well worth the additional cost. A HPA tank is also a piece of equipment that can transfer to any marker you upgrade to in the future.
Important Notes:
- HPA tanks are filled via a fill nipple on the base of the regulator. One convenient feature of this is that you don’t have to take the tank off the marker to fill. Since the fill nipple acts as a one-way check valve you can just “top off” between games instead of having to drain and entirely refill like CO2.
- Shop air compressors and tire pumps can’t fill a compressed air tank. However, one common way of filling tanks is to use a scuba tank fitted with a Scuba Fill Station. A 3000psi scuba tank can provide up to 15-20 fills.
- Compressed Air tanks are available in 3000 and 4500psi. 4500 tanks can handle more pressure and thus yield more shots per fill.
- Aluminum HPA tanks are up rated to 3000psi max. They are smaller and cost effective but weigh much more than fiber wrapped tanks.
- Fiber wrapped tanks should always be used with a protective tank cover. They protect the tank from dings and gouges in the fiber wrap which can compromise the structural integrity of the vessel. A damaged tank cannot be filled or repaired.
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