How often you refill your paintball tanks depends on how often you shoot. Any refilling in paintball is done from a receiver cylinder. There are 2 main types of gas in paintball: air and carbon dioxide. We do not experiment with other gases due to their complete lack of use in paintball. Each gas has its pros and cons, which we will now look at.

Nowadays, the most popular gas for refilling paintball cylinders is air. The mixture of nitrogen and oxygen that we breathe every day has become vital in paintball. The air is charged in a compressed state - this way more of it fits into the paintball cylinder. The degree of compression used varies depending on the type of paintball cylinder and regulator. However, they can be divided into 2 most commonly used ones. Pressure 3000psi and 4500psi. To fill paintball cylinders with air into a receiver cylinder, a special high-pressure compressor is required. Due to the marking of pressure gauges in paintball with numbers of a single value and often a small signature x1000 in the center, beginners get the impression that the marker operates at a pressure of only 3 atmospheres. However, the pressure measurement on the pressure gauge is marked in psi and the standard pressure for a regular aluminum paintball cylinder is 3000psi or 204 atmospheres.

Preparation process for refueling

So, despite the fact that you have played paintball more than once or twice, most likely you do not know how exactly paintball cylinders are refilled. You have seen how paintball club employees do this, it is quite possible that you understood the principle, but if you decide to do this operation yourself, it is better to know for sure.

To refill a paintball cylinder from a receiver cylinder, you will need a gas station. The name is fundamental, the station itself is not very good. This is a small adapter that screws onto the receiver cylinder. An air filling station looks like this:

On the side opposite the receiver cylinder there is a second adapter called a foster. Because Refilling paintball cylinders is carried out under high pressure; it is necessary to firmly connect the filling nipple of the cylinder to the fuel station booster. Otherwise, when air is supplied from the receiver cylinder, the cylinder being filled will at least bounce to the side. I won’t talk about the maximum, anything can happen. In order to correctly refill paintball cylinders, you need to move the upper part of the booster towards the cylinder - receiver. The folded back bracket of the booster releases the bearings and allows you to insert the filling nipple of the cylinder into the booster.

After this, we release the bracket and it moves back into place, fixing the bearings and securing the filling nipple of the cylinder in the gas station. This completes the preparation process for refilling paintball cylinders.

Refilling paintball cylinders

Refueling process

So. The gas station is screwed up. The filling nipple is fixed in the booster. You can start refueling. By carefully opening the valve of the receiver cylinder, you will hear the air moving from one cylinder to another. Although to be precise, there is a communication of blood vessels. The pressure of one cylinder is equalized with the pressure of the other. Thus, we refill a small cylinder. Considering that your cylinder does not always have a pressure tolerance equal to the tolerance of the cylinder - the receiver, which may have higher pressure - you should monitor the pressure on the pressure gauge of the cylinder being refilled and stop refilling the paintball cylinder when the maximum allowed pressure is reached. Otherwise, damage to the cylinder itself and the regulator may occur.

Refilling paintball cylinders

Completing refueling

We decided to stop refilling the paintball cylinder once the maximum pressure allowed for your cylinder has been reached. Essentially, the refueling is complete and now you need to pick up your cylinder by disconnecting its filling nipple from the fuel station booster.

But you won’t be able to do this right away. There is still pressurized air in the filling station system. It will not allow you to open the booster and remove the filling nipple of the cylinder. This pressure must be removed by bleeding off the excess air remaining in the filling station. The operation is quite simple. There is a special button or lever at the gas station (on older versions). We press it and a stream of pressurized air bursts out from the opposite side of the gas station. All! Excess air has been released, you can remove the cylinder nipple from the foster. Using the reverse operation, move the booster and remove the filling nipple from the booster. Refilling of the paintball cylinder is completely completed.

Best regards, A.J.
Paintball Club "2 SHARA"

Additional information

Paintball cylinders – an article about the types of paintball cylinders, regulators and approvals for paintball gas systems. Refilling with carbon dioxide – refilling paintball cylinders with carbon dioxide, advantages and disadvantages of carbon dioxide.

New players often ask us the same questions. Therefore, we decided to release a series of videos for paintball beginners with answers to the most popular questions. We also recommend subscribing to our channel, where there is a lot useful videos (SUBSCRIBE).

Paintball video for beginners part 1

Paintball video for beginners part 2

Below is also a shortened text version of the responses.

1. Will the accuracy increase if I put an even longer barrel?

No, it will not increase, barrel length NO WAY does not affect accuracy. More detailed information By technical specifications paintball barrels can be read in this.

2. Is there a difference between a rifled and a smooth barrel?

Some manufacturers make rifled barrels with longitudinal or spiral cutting. The main idea in the manufacture of such barrels is to reduce the contact of the ball with the walls of the barrel. When using such barrels, air consumption increases. And there is difficulty in manufacturing, since it is quite difficult to make cuts on the barrel correctly (of the same depth throughout the entire barrel). When producing spiral-rifled barrels, the goal is to slightly twist the ball, but there is little to no point in doing so.

3. Do compensators and silencers have any effect?

No. Basically they just add ambience.

4. What is the difference between air and CO2?

CO2 is stored in liquid form and has a lower pressure but a higher expansion coefficient than air. In this regard, the main problem when using CO2 is its instability and increased sensitivity to weather conditions. The second problem is that due to the caustic nature of the gas, the gaskets and other elastic parts of the marker become unusable much faster. Also, most electronic markers DO NOT WORK with CO2.

5. If you attach a cylinder with higher pressure to the marker, will the marker continue to shoot?

The winter ball has thicker walls due to the fact that it becomes more fragile in the cold. A summer ball in winter will most likely simply shatter when fired.

9. Is it possible to play paintball with an airsoft mask and vice versa?

The airsoft mask is designed specifically for airsoft, where the muzzle energy is about 1-3 joules. In paintball it is about 12.5 joules. There is a high probability of damage to the airsoft mask by the ball. You can play airsoft.

10. How often should I disassemble the marker?

Ideally, it should be lubricated and cleaned after each game. In fact, at least once every 3-4 games, if the marker didn’t hit.

11. Does the marker not shoot or shoot poorly?

First, change the battery if it is an electronic marker. Then check if the marker is clean, remove and lubricate the bolt group. Check the condition of the main gaskets.

12. The marker is poisoning, what could be the problem?

In order to find out what the problem is, you first need to determine where exactly your marker is etching from. Based on this, you can already understand which unit or gasket needs to be replaced. If you yourself cannot figure out what exactly needs to be replaced, then you need to at least determine the place where the marker is coming from. It will be easier for a technician to help you.

13. What batteries are best to use for the marker?

Duracell, Energizer, Paintball Energy.

14. What is the difference between a budget and an expensive marker?

The price of a marker depends on the accuracy and efficiency of all its mechanisms, material consumption and manufacturability. Roughly speaking, an expensive marker shoots much better.

15. What kind of sight/bipod/rail/forend should I buy for?

Any upgrade is installed by a person according to his PERSONAL preferences and vision of the game. Just think about what you need and whether you need it at all.

16. What is the difference between a tactical and sports marker?

Appearance, shooting modes, installation possibility additional equipment(flashlights, lasers, optics).

17. Can I use WD-40 when servicing my marker?

The marker uses fairly high pressure. And a flammable liquid plus high pressure equals an explosion. And WD-40 kills gaskets very quickly. So only as a last resort and at your own risk.

18. Can the marker be washed with water?

Yes, but it is undesirable, since water may cause corrosion. It is strictly not recommended to wash electronic markers with water.

19. Do all masks sweat?

Any thermal (double-layer) lens will sweat an order of magnitude less than a single-layer one. Lens fogging is aggravated by constant exercise (excessive sweating), drinking alcohol, or in cold or damp weather. Expensive masks are expensive because they have the best possible ventilation, which also allows the mask not to fog up for a long time.

Yes, but be careful not to let water get between the two layers of the lens. Otherwise the lens will be damaged.

21. Is it possible to refill the cylinder with a car compressor?

No, because the pressure that a car compressor can charge is 50 times lower than required.

22. Harness or unloading?

In sport paintball this question does not arise, because it is prohibited. If you carry any other equipment besides tubes, it would be advisable to purchase it due to the huge number of pockets and pouches. If you don’t burden yourself with carrying extras, then you can opt for Harness.

Paintball is one of the most active recreational activities. And the more actively you play, the faster the pressure level in your cylinder drops. Without the proper level, the ball will not be able to reach its target. You'll pull the trigger, but you won't get the results you expected. To avoid this on the “battlefield”, it is worth checking the level of the gas mixture during breaks.

What are paintball cylinders filled with?

When you arrive at the playground, the first thing that will catch your eye is the receiver cylinder. Paintball guns are refilled from this cylinder. In practice, two types of gas mixtures are used: carbon dioxide and air itself. Other mixtures are not suitable for use in paintball because they do not have the required qualities. It is also important to take into account that filling a cylinder with air or nitrogen will have completely different costs.

Most often you can find ordinary atmospheric air filled in cylinders. The ideal ratio of oxygen and nitrogen gives excellent shooting performance from a paintball marker. The air is pre-compressed. This can be done at gas stations where there is a high-pressure compressor. That is, it is clear that in everyday conditions, it will not be possible to “charge” the cylinder. Depending on the air compression, the pressure in the cylinder varies: 3000 psi or 4500 psi. If we convert these values ​​into atmospheres, it turns out that a pressure of 3000 psi corresponds to 204 atmospheres. In a paintball gun, you can always check the gas pressure level in the aluminum cylinder on the pressure gauge. The marking on the pressure gauge bears the inscription x1000 and an arrow with numbers from 0 to 5. Multiplying the number by a thousand, you will get the value in psi.

How to refill paintball cylinders

Preparatory stage for filling the cylinder

Usually, when playing paintball, cylinders are refilled only by club employees, observing safety precautions, and also referring to the fact that the player should relax and have fun. However, if you decide to fill your cylinder yourself, then it is better to study some aspects of this process in more detail in order to organize full cylinders of air for yourself and your friends with the air of an expert!

You will need to go to a gas station that includes receiver tanks. It is necessary to create a sealed connection between the gaming cylinder and the liquefied air cylinder. This is done using a not at all bulky conductor, which is initially attached to the valve of the receiver cylinder. In addition to the conductor, the gas station contains other elements.

On the other side of the liquefied air cylinder there is a booster. Foster is the second guide. The pressure in the receiver cylinder is very high, and if air flows out when the nipple of the gun cylinder with booster is poorly secured, then the cylinder can literally be torn out of your hands. No one needs unnecessary trauma, especially during rest. To do this technical procedure correctly, you will need to move the top part of the foster towards the refill bottle. This action will expose the bearings, with the help of which the filling nipple of the gaming cylinder is well secured.

The next step is to return the previous part of the foster to its original position. This action will ensure a strong grip between the nipple and the cylinder. Everything must be tight and tight. This point completes the preparatory stage of filling the cylinder.

Filling a paintball tank

All conditions have been met to release compressed air from the receiver cylinder through the nipple. Just one movement and you will hear a slight hiss, which will indicate the passage of air into the small cylinder due to the pressure difference. The pressure will gradually equalize until the gaming balloon is filled to capacity with air. The receiver valve is responsible for this movement. On average, 3000psi is enough pressure for normal play. Therefore, manual control of cylinder filling is necessary. If you fill it with air to the maximum level, you can get some discomfort from the game - the balls will fly slightly away from where you are aiming. Also, do not forget that the cylinder can be damaged if you overinflate the air. In the event of such damage, material damage will result not only from the gaming cylinder, but also from the regulator of the receiver cylinder.

End of refueling

Having traced the arrow of the pressure gauge to the number specified in the technical data sheet of the cylinder, you must begin to reduce the air supply. Then you need to manipulate the filling nipple of the cylinder, disconnecting it from the foster of the receiver cylinder. The last point cannot be completed immediately.

There's no need to rush here. There is still equal pressure between the gaming tank and the station, in other words, there is pressurized air in the system. This will prevent you from simply picking up and disconnecting the cylinder. You need to bleed the air by finding a lever or button (depending on the receiver cylinder), which is responsible for releasing air from the intermediate part of the system. By pressing the button/lowering the lever, you will hear the excess air escaping into the environment, this usually happens at the back of the gas station. Only after this point can you move the foster to its original position and remove the filling nipple. The cylinder is filled and ready for new game in paintball.

Paintball is a fairly active sport where consumables (balls, air or gas) constantly require replenishment. If you need to fill the feeder with balloons after each game, and in sports competitions, several times during one round, then the balloon is filled with air much less often. The rate of gas or air consumption directly depends on the intensity of fire.

Today, in the clubs of our city, cylinders are filled with compressed air or carbon dioxide. If other gas options are used, it is only for the sake of experimentation, without participation in mass events.

A short course on refilling paintball cylinders

In order to fill the cylinders with air, we need a receiver (station). Refueling should only be carried out by specialists who know the theory of refueling. It would seem, what could be difficult or dangerous? But difficulties and dangers exist here too, especially for those who do not understand the readings on the pressure gauge.

The markings on the pressure gauge are made according to the psi standard. In the center is the number 1000, and in front of it is a multiplication symbol. This means that if the arrow points to the number 3, then it is not 3 atmospheres, but 200 (3000psi), which is high pressure in the cylinder. In our club, they fill up until the pressure gauge needle points to 2.5 (2,500psi). This is enough to participate in 2 – 3 games.

Any filling station has a booster, which is needed to clamp the filling nipple. It is imperative to secure the nipple and check its reliability. To do this, you need to remove the foster bracket, thereby freeing the bearings and insert the cylinder nipple. After this, return the foster bracket to its previous position, which in turn will fix the bearings, and they will clamp the nipple.

The station is on an air tank, the nipple is well fixed in the booster, now you can refill an empty paintball marker tank. When you open the valve of an air cylinder, you will hear a hissing sound; this is air moving from one vessel to another, under the influence of pressure. Carefully monitor the pressure gauge needle and do not be distracted; if you exceed the permissible limit, you can damage both the marker cylinder itself and the regulator.

After the required value on the pressure gauge is reached, you need to stop the air supply and disconnect the cylinder. If there are no problems with the first point, then there is one nuance with the second. Even though the air was cut off, there is still some air in the gas station. While it is there, it is not possible to pull back the foster bracket and remove the nipple. But it doesn’t matter; to remove the residue, a special hole with a valve for bleeding was invented. The valve opens by pressing a button or lever, depending on the station model. After everything has been bled off, you can easily and calmly move the foster bracket and disconnect the nipple. At this point, the refilling of paintball cylinders is completed, and you can safely enter the game.

Carbon dioxide is used much less frequently in paintball clubs than air, and there are objective reasons for this. There is no point in listing everything; you can name a few of them; these are the requirements for the storage, operation and transportation of carbon dioxide cylinders. Although carbon dioxide has a good advantage over air, it is consumed in less quantity per shot.

Summarizing everything written above, it turns out that to refill cylinders you need a gas station and some knowledge in refueling techniques and safety. There is no way without this.