A-5 Velocity Problem

[pcitumhostes]

Hi All,

My new A-5, using 3000 psi HPA, can only get my paintballs to between 200 and 250 fps. Most shots are closer to 200 fps than 250 fps.

I use an Edge barrel set, with the paintballs sized to the barrel back. I removed the ASA from the grip and I mount the air tank verticaly below tombstone adapter. Everything else is stock.

I have the front velocity adjustor run completely wide open. I have cleaned and oiled all parts several times.

How should I go about correcting this problem?

Should I dump $120 into this gun for a LP kit?

Would I be better off going to a rear velocity adjuster.

My only qualifier is I have to use HPA, CO2 is not an option for me.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Trigga Nometry]

Sounds like you might not have an RVA on your A-5. An RVA (rear velocity adjuster) will allow you to control the drive spring tension that in turn will allow you to have the hammer hit the valve harder keeping it open longer. All that will help you increase your velocity.

The other option would be the addition of a spring keep.

Ever thought about adding a RVA to your set-up?

For more RVA info, check this out: a5og.proboards33.com/index.cgi?board=modsandups&action=display&thread=1130025290

[jmstallard]

First, I assume you mean 200-250 FPS (feet per second), and not PSI (pounds per square inch). You should be able to reach your desired speed without an RVA, particularly if you're stock.

Does your HPA tank have a gauge? Make sure its output is high enough. I don't have HPA, so what's the proper output pressure? 800PSI? Whatever it is, make sure the tank is outputting currectly.

Borrow a CO2 tank and see if your FPS is the same.

Is the cyclone turning? Usually, when the pressure drops, the cyclone is the first thing to suffer.

[Vashthestampede]

You really need to see if you can find a place with a reg tester to make sure your preset isn't having reg problems. Also a simple way to fix this is to buy a spring kit and install a harder drive spring.

[pcitumhostes]

I have used two, new hpa high pressure output tanks, I have used two different new 20 oz. C02 tanks. I do get up to 270 fps when I use C02.

I don't have a RVA, so I think I'll go that route.

Is this a common problem with A-5's. What kind of velocity should I be getting with a stock A-5 running high output compressed air?

Thanks for the help.

Terry.

[jmstallard]

If you tighten the spring too much (with an RVA), you risk losing the ability to recock. An RVA will just be a band-aid; the problem will still be there. Have you inspected all of the internal parts? Maybe the powertube is cracked and you're losing gas through the crack. I don't know...I'm just throwing out ideas. You could replace the main spring.

You never said if your cyclone was turning.


Or...just send it to Tippmann. I'm sure they can fix it for you.

[Kreeper X]

pcitumhostes said:

Hi All,

My new A-5, using 3000 psi HPA, can only get my paintballs to between 200 and 250 fps. Most shots are closer to 200 fps than 250 fps.

I use an Edge barrel set, with the paintballs sized to the barrel back. I removed the ASA from the grip and I mount the air tank verticaly below tombstone adapter. Everything else is stock.

I have the front velocity adjustor run completely wide open. I have cleaned and oiled all parts several times.

How should I go about correcting this problem?

Should I dump $120 into this gun for a LP kit?

Would I be better off going to a rear velocity adjuster.

My only qualifier is I have to use HPA, CO2 is not an option for me.

Any help would be appreciated.

There are a few potential problems here.

One is that your tank is screwed into the tombstone too far and is choking off the flow of gas from the tank to the marker. To test this, put the tank on and then turn it out 1/4th turn and test it again.

Another thing that has been known to happen is that someone in the factory has been known to install M98c drive springs into the A-5s. Since the M98 rear bolt is lighter than the A-5 rear bolt, that can lead to lower velocity. Get an RVA and you can increase the tension on the spring or you can call up tippmann and tell them that you need a new A-5 Drive spring. They usually send them out without question and for free...

It really sounds to me like you have an m98 spring in your A-5. It's happened to me twice...

[pcitumhostes]

I received Tippman's spring today. I had to clip about 1 1/2" from this spring to shorten it enough that I could get it all into the receiver (I did install it with the bolt cocked).

My velocity went from the low 200's to the high 200's. Much better...

[sharpshooter]

I'm not sure you have really solved your problems yet ? I have never had a problem getting up to chrono field limits here around 290fps or well over that . Both My A5's are completely stock on C02. It sounds to me like you have missed something and I cant imagine you having to cut 1.5" from the Tippmann rear spring ? I replaced the original rear spring in my A5 after 2 years of usage and 25,000 shots because of re-cocking issues ( not fps) . It had shrunk only 1/4" from the stock length ! I bought the Tippmann small parts replacement kit for $15 , replaced the rear bolt spring and all was perfectly fine again. Something tells me youshould take off all the extra parts you purchased and go back to the stock setup with the ASA on the grip and stock hose to the tombstone adapter and recheck your fps adjustments with a certified chrono. There just has to be an issue with your tank, adapter, rear spring or possibly the internals, if you took your marker apart and put it back together wrong ?

There simply is no way !!! you would ever have had to cut 1.5" from a stock rear bolt spring ??

[MerrSonn]

When you say that your FVA is wide open, do you mean that it's flush with the inside of the powertube or that it's unscrewed to the point that if you unscrewed it any more it would fall out of the receiver? You should only unscrew it until it's flush with the inside of the powertube, after that point your velocity could go back down.

If the tighter spring doesn't end up working out for you, there's also the option of sending your tank in and having the manufacturer bump the pressure up a little bit. Just out of curiosity, what brand is the tank?

[pcitumhostes]

I have used CO2 tanks, and HPA tanks. My HPA tanks are brand new crossfire 47cu. in. 3000 psi tanks.

The FVA valve screw is flush with the interior of the powertube.

Your replies have led me to believe that maybe I may have a problem with my internals. I think I will check my main valve. I'll post what I find out.

Thanks for the help.

Terry.

[pcitumhostes]

The red spring of the Maddmann spring set did the trick.

Thank you all for your help.