The Comprehensive Thread on the Tippmann LPK

[JackRock]

Correct on all accounts. The vertical "tube" is the volumizer, allowing for a greater volume of air to be used with the marker. Without that, the LPK is utterly for naught. You need a larger volume to compensate for lower pressure. Otherwise, the marker won't cycle correctly. If it does cycle, your velocity will be for nothing.

The second part of the volumizer extension (the left portion of that pic) is where a male-threaded regulator would fit. Now, there are some creative ways to avoid putting a regulator there, but that's the intention.

Here's a picture of my old setup, with the Palmer's Male Stabilizer installed with the LPK:

[derf]

Originally Posted by VagabondStarJXF

2. That is a volumizer, not a regulator. You'll need that in order to lower your operating pressure. You'll still need a regulator to run this kit. So, basically, you shouldn't remove it because you'll render the rest of the kit useless without it.

So, can you use the LPK without a regulator? I'm assuming you can buy a reg separately and install it.

Which is the best regulator for air?

[VagabondStarJXF]

I don't think you can run it without a reg unless you have a LP air tank. I've heard good things about the following regs (in no particular order):

Palmers Stabilizer (Of course!)
Evil Detonator
Bob Long Torpedo
Dye Hyper 2
Eclipse Star

I've used all of them except for the Hyper 2 on my various Spyder project markers. The Star and Detonator are definitely Low Pressure Regs (e.g. 400 or 600psi max output range) which may not be able to handle input from standard HPA tanks (800-850psi). I'm not too sure on this though so if someone else has the correct info on them I don't mind being corrected. I've never had a problem with either of them but then I've always used an Evil Scion tank which is an adjustable LP air tank. I had problems with the Torpedo when I ran CO2 through it. I couldn't get it to recharge fast enough as my ROF increased. It's still a good reg though. As for the Stab, I've yet to really put mine through its paces but that should change this weekend. I'm using the Female variant (via a modification) but all Stabs are generally rated highly for both CO2 and HPA so a male one should be good on the LPK.

[derf]

How about this one?

Stabilizer Fatty [PPSP015] - $95.90 : Palmers Pursuit Shop!, Where Custom Still Means Something

It should work fine with a normal 4.5k tank and LPK right?

[Jaron]

Technically, yes you can use an LPK without a regulator. However, what's controlling the input pressure? If you're running this on an HPA tank, then you've already got one regulator on the tank nozzle itself. If that's a high pressure tank ( 800+ psi, ) then you won't be getting any benefit out of the LPK. In fact, you'd likely be wasting a lot of air with the volumizer and muzzle velocity would likely exceed safe ranges. If you get a low pressure output tank, like a blue Crossfire, then no additional regulator would be needed for the LPK. In this case though, you won't have an adjustable reg to customize your operating pressure.

As for which regulator to use, check out my Regulator FAQ thread for some more detailed info. For your specific question, yes you can use a Fatty. But you should be aware of a few things. A Fatty can't output over 400 psi and some A-5's can't operate below that even with an LPK. Granted it can give finer control of lower pressure outputs than the normal Stabilizer. For the best control over the largest pressure range, you might want to consider a normal Stabilizer with a low pressure spring kit, also from Palmer.

[JackRock]

Don't use the Fatty. The operation pressure of that stabilizer is too low, even with the LPK. It barely maxes out at the LPK's minimum, and often isn't enough.

Running the LPK without a regulator, but using an LP tank, is iffy at best. The reason tends to be the same the "Fatty" answer, above. You need to make sure the input pressure is consistently around 350-375psi.

[derf]

Now i'm confused. There seems to be a contradiction here.

Originally Posted by Tippmann.com

this kit will increase efficiency by keeping pressure between 300 and 400 psi.

Originally Posted by Jaron

A Fatty can't output over 400 psi and some A-5's can't operate below that even with an LPK.

[recoil]

JackRock,

You pointed to this thread in another that was discussing LPK vs just a regulator. I've actually visited this thread before and gotten a lot of information for it, however given your comment in that other thread, a couple questions arose for me.

From the picture above you did used to have an LPK on your gun, but you stated in the other thread that currently you do not use the LPK...just the regulator. Why did you change back? And what really ARE the benefits to adding an LPK over just running a regulator?

(I should note here that the field I play at requires you purchase paint from them only...and they use Marbilizer paint, which seems to be VERY good quality, and I haven't had any break in my gun yet, so an LPK being easier on low quality paint is a non-issue for me, and not a selling point)

Like the person who started the other thread, I run a Flatline barrel. ANYTHING that adds to consistency helps with it. I was under the assumption that a LPK was almost an essential upgrade, but now I'm reading that I can get just as good accuracy/consistency results by just adding a regulator.

What were your personal experiences? What is the minimum psi output from a regulator for an A5 without an LPK to function? Will it run on 500-550psi?

Thanks

[The Rock]

just adding a regulator will help alot with chrono readings. i had mine at 650psi.

With my lpk and shocktech superflybolt, dop powertube, stock drivespring, vortex, lightn rod, qeph, aka 2liter dual reg and 12" palmers i get 290fps at 310psi i now get 1500good shots out of my 88/4500 bottle at 4k fill i got about 1100 before.

16 bps fullauto is it good for, with only semi and can get down to 280psi at 290 fps.
this way its really quiet and nice to shoot, no kick .

if i want higher bps i need to raise my input pressure to about 380psi and adjust fva to get more backpressure or else it will uncock it self. this way i got 23bps without dropoff down range. this way its not efficient.

to me its worth it! i can adjust more like i want it, if i want high bps i know i get it, only semi i know its silent

i will try to get it lower but keeping bps, dremmel time!

so i took of 21grams from the stock lpk hammer, changed valve spring now im down to 250psi at 260-270fps and still does 16bps f/a. and this with my new 14" duo vented palmers im silent as an ion. and about 280psi at 290 fps.
It was nice to see with 3shot bursts, all the paint(blaze) at same place. i can shoot behind peoples head now without them thinking im shooting them in the head

[JackRock]

1. I switched back for the same reason that the "low-quality paint" line isn't a selling point any more. I no longer play at the field that sells that junk here in CO. Either it's outlaw ball, where I can buy decent paint, or the scenario producer sells good stuff.

2. The benefits would be a tad more consistency and slightly lower sound signature. However, if you're running a flatline (loud by nature), it's kind of a moot point. I used the FVA mod and thus use my regulator as the sole method of velocity adjustment. My marker's pretty damn consistent enough, so I did not need the ugly LPK stuff. I'm heading more to a mil-sim look. HOWEVER, if somebody manages to design and produce a magazine kit with an LPK volumizer inside, I will go back to it (modified, of course).

3. The flatline by itself is extremely hard on paint. The LPK helps with this A LOT. However, you stated you're shooting marbs. Probably no necessary so much.

4. Minimum PSI I require to keep decent velocity is 820psi. You will occasionally hear people running as low as 500psi. Now, before you go taking that as gospel, remember that these 500psi markers are EXTREMELY FEW! You just hear about them more when the topic comes up. The only way to know what yours runs at is to hook up a regulator with an output guage, and shoot/adjust, shoot/adjust and shoot/adjust until you find what it runs at.