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Tech index -> Custom Work -> Ion LPR mod

This is a custom modification I performed to aid in experimenting with the marker and to better understand how it functions. I also had motive to perform this mod just to tinker with the gun (because nobody else had done it). It doesn't help too much with performance, but it's definitely unique.

The purpose of the mod is to separate the airflow firing the marker into two types: pneumatics (LPR) pressure, and operating (valve) pressure. The LPR is used to drop the incoming (valve) pressure down a few notches, to decrease the air consumption and increase consistency. This is a common operation on other markers that use different designs, but the Ion doesn't really need an LPR so it was not made so one could be easily installed.

With a few swapped fittings, drilled and tapped holes, and some spare tubing I was able to install it. First, the LPR is attached to the stock operating pressure gauge port on the right side of the frame. The LPR output then connects to the solenoid head (to feed the solenoid with air) by a 1/8" microline and a barb fitting on the head section. The other side of the solenoid head is plugged off so no air escapes (normally the rear microline attaches here).
I drilled and tapped another output at the front of the frame for the new operating pressure gauge (opposite the stock gauge position).
5/32" microline attaches the vertical adapter to the swivel donut on through the outside of the gun. I had to cut the exoskeleton for this. It also allows the donut to remain inside the exoskeleton when I remove the fire chamber (no c-clip is installed).

I can attach a modular pressure gauge to the opposite side of the solenoid head, if I want to read the pneumatics pressure for testing. Otherwise I just leave the gauge off.

Here's the finished model.

What is the advanatge to this? Using my testing pressure gauge I can pinpoint the pressure that is required to hold the bolt open and fine-tune the marker to minimum air lost. There are a lot of coincident details about this proceedure and its usefulness but I won't go into it.
Consistency is improved by a small amount, however the maximum rate of fire is dropped to around 20-bps with a QEV installed.

The finished LPR mod can be seen in the January 12 Ion videos, on the my videos page.

Navigation:
Tech index -> Custom Work -> Ion LPR mod