Fine adjustments to the sentinel

[ccrnnr9]

Ok, I am most likely getting a Sentinel straight from the AM factory with a gauge port already tapped (which by the way is only an extra 10$). Anyway, I will be using my AKA sidewinder regulator and I was wondering if some of you can help me figure out the best way to adjust my gun. Since I will have the gauge installed I should be able to figure out the optimal operating pressure of my gun. How would I go about figuring out my guns most efficient and consistent operating pressure? Should I just start out by setting it at a standard operating pressure, then adjusting till I reach 280fps (or whatever the field limit is)? I say this, because I am used to using guns that run with both an HPR and LPR which allows you to first set your operating pressure, and adjust the velocity by tweeking the input pressure to the solenoid. I know this isn’t a electro-pneumo marker, so what is the best way of going about “sweet-spotting” my gun? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
~Nick

[Some Dude]

Well hey nice to see you decided. Anyway, "sweet-spotting" a blow-back is alot easier. First set the reg pretty low, you know where is will spudder. Be ready to catch it if does some full auto badness. Then turn it up little by little (your velocity screw thing should be all the the open I think, the velocity is same style as carbine right?).

Then once it stops sputtering, note your velocity. If it is lower than what you want by a little add more pressure, if it is ALOT difference and you can try stiffer springs or just turn up the psi more. Onc it is too much you need to use a spring not so hard because turning down the reg now will make it sputter, remember you have it just above where it won't spudder.

AND once you have it at right fps YOUR DONE!

[ccrnnr9]

But will taking it as low as it can go without sputtering insure the best efficiency?

[Crash STP]

your best bet will be around 450 - 550 psi - be sure to use the longer valve pin and adjust it from there

[Draknes]

Yeah make sure you get the longer valve pin. The newer one won't let me go under 650. With the older one mine runs best at 500-550.

[Gilman]

If you mod the valve pin to make it high flow you can get your operating presure down to 450 psi. For instructions search my posts and it is the valve pin mod post. An update for the mod would be this; the final length of the area filed down is .5-.55 inch measured from the face of the cup seal flange, and the final shaft diameter in the modified area should be .1 inch.:tup:

[Some Dude]

No ccrnnr9 I didn't to go as low as possible that would probably be ineffecient, but each marker is differnt. I said turn it low then slowly turn it up slowly untill you get reasonable velocities. READ MY FIRST POST A COUPLE TIMES IF YOU DON'T GET IT...

[ccrnnr9]

Originally posted by Some Dude
No ccrnnr9 I didn't to go as low as possible that would probably be ineffecient, but each marker is differnt. I said turn it low then slowly turn it up slowly untill you get reasonable velocities. READ MY FIRST POST A COUPLE TIMES IF YOU DON'T GET IT... Ya I kinda get hat you are saying, it jut seemed that you were saying to go as low as possible without sputtering. Anyway, Ill mess around with her when I get a chrono.

[DaHick]

put my sidewinder on today (set about 300 for my sniper) and it only puttered untill I turned it up to about 450... then she shot about 230 fps fine.

[Some Dude]

YA, I know. have fun at the chrono. When I said to get it as low without sputtering, is so you can note the fps. It probably won't be very usable. So you turn it up, or change a spring your choice.

[ccrnnr9]

ok thanks guys.

[RamDragon]

Keep in mind, the short pin was introduced to reduce the chance of blowing balls back up your feed tube while using CO2. Nitro doesn't have that problem, as the velocity adjust is a little wider open, but CO2 just won't perform like Nitro will. once you get a good reg on and go to Nitro, though, you need to use the long pin again.

SomeDude's right about the best way to set your gun. And that method is why you need the long pin again (keeps the valve open longer). Just remember to start with your Velocity all the way out, chrono with the reg (you should be able to hit 290-305 pretty easily) then fine tune with your velocity adjust. you'll be able to get extreemly consistant over the chrono (like in the neiborhood of +-5)

[Hobboy]

Originally posted by RamDragon
you'll be able to get extreemly consistant over the chrono (like in the neiborhood of +-5)

True. My senti never goes over +/- 6...so far...:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[RamDragon]

+- 5 is a conservative quote. I have seen dialed in Sentis with consistent +-2, and I have seen three consecutive shots taken at exactly the same velocity. When it comes down to it, a few upgrade options makes the Senti the most effective marker on the field. And once we get electronic assistance on it, it will still be one of the least expensive markers for the performance on the field.

If you got a chance to see the Diadem in action at the IAO, then you know what I mean.