FT-12 problems when cold |
Post Reply |
Author | |
combatzone
Member Joined: 11 February 2013 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 11 February 2013 at 5:34am |
Hi All,
Just wanted to send in a short post about the FT-12. Having used a few different markers over the past 13 years for our paintball site, we decided to upgrade 100 markers to the tippmann FT-12. I will say from the start they are excellent markers. Very accurate and easy to maintain. They do however have a major flaw. When the marker gets cold (generally zero degree and below) and in the UK that is a lot, the bottom o-ring in the grip frame becomes to rigid and does not seal properly. This means the marker leaks very badly. For our business this is not good. According to our supplier Tippmann are now aware of this problem. We have been sent about 35 new o-rings which are not effected by the cold, it does however leave us with a further 65 markers that wont work. I am now in the position that I have had to contact Tippmann USA directly to try are get spare o-rings,. I now await a reply. So all in all, great markers but make sure if you buy them you get new o-rings if you are in a cold climate.
|
|
tallen702
Moderator Group Hipster before Hipster was cool... Joined: 10 June 2002 Location: Under Your Bed Status: Offline Points: 11851 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
In all fairness, virtually all standard paintball o-rings fail to keep a proper seal when subjected to sub-zero ambient temperatures combined with even colder C02.
As a tech for many years, I can't tell you how many leaking cup seals I've dealt with on cold days with virtually every marker out there (Tippmann being the exception) Have you tried lubricating the o-ring in the grip with a white-lithium grease? That should help quite a bit with the issue. Also, CO2 is hardly an ideal propellant at low temperatures, using remote lines, anti-siphon tanks, or HPA would prevent the issue completely. |
|
<Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.>
|
|
combatzone
Member Joined: 11 February 2013 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
We are currently using HPA and not CO2. I understand that o-rings can fail in the cold, but this was a design fault by Tippman. Tippman should not be taking £7500 from customer for markers which do not work in cold conditions. I would not mind if they would send me the new o-rings which they have produced to solve the problem.
|
|
tallen702
Moderator Group Hipster before Hipster was cool... Joined: 10 June 2002 Location: Under Your Bed Status: Offline Points: 11851 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
That's interesting because I've seen no troubles at all when using HPA on my FT-12 in very cold weather. My guess is that if you're repeatedly mounting and de-mounting the assembly from the o-rings that you'd potentially put wear on them that would cause them to fail more quickly, but without that added factor, I doubt the cold would affect them that much with HPA.
If I were you, I'd contact Tippmann Customer Service by phone directly to get the new o-rings to you faster. I don't know about over in the UK, but stateside, they're extremely responsive to customers who call up and explain their needs. |
|
<Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.>
|
|
combatzone
Member Joined: 11 February 2013 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Finally got a response for Tippman (many thanks to Paul Banks). This is a problem with the markers and not user error. I have now been send 100 upgrade kits which I will be fitting tomorrow. I will post feedback to see if this has resolved the problem.
|
|
Parts Tech
Member Joined: 08 March 2009 Status: Offline Points: 59 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
How long have you had the guns? I know there were a few issues with the first release. Tippmann figured out the fixes and adjusted their production. Anyone who had an issue got parts (like you are). They are on top of these things as fast as they can be.
|
|
Tech at TippmannParts.com
We do everything Tippmann |
|
The Guy
Platinum Member Soup Can Guy Joined: 18 March 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6666 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
This also hasn't been mentioned. But the Marker Gallery is for people to show off pictures of their equipment. The geneal rule is "No pic, no post".
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |