[jlcdet]

I was just curious to see the the regulator pressures at different settings, so I decided to hook up a couple of gauges and here are the results....

Lpr
At the flush setting my gauge read about 90 to 95 psi

So I counted the turns and this is what I got.

Turns from flush of lpr cap/ psi

Flush = 90 to 95 psi
1 turn = 85 psi
2 turns = 80 psi
3 turns = 70 psi
4 turns = 60 psi
5 turns = 50 psi
6 turns = 40 psi

Hpr
At flush the gauge reads 350psi


So I did the same and counted the turns...

Turns from flush of the bottom of the hpr/psi

Flush = 350psi
1 turn = 300psi
2 turns= 250psi
3 turns= 200psi
4 turns= 150psi
5 turns= 100psi

You can also turn it out past flush on the Hpr all the way up to 500psi.

[BigJenkies]

[shadoflame]

i appreciate the effort, but the gauge shown in the picture for the lpr settings is not a high precision gauge and has increments of 20 psi. meaning at best the read precision is +/- 20 psi. im not saying the data is wrong, just remember that the certainty is within +/- 20 psi.

[jlcdet]

I did a re-test with a more accurate digital low pressure gauge and did receive different readings. I also found out that the results are different depending on the high pressure regulator output. So my test is spread out in five different parts from 350psi to 150psi.

LPR turn/s in from flush with HPR @ 350psi

Flush = 96.0psi
1 turn = 95.5psi
2 turns = 95.0psi
3 turns = 89.5psi
4 turns = 82.0psi
5 turns = 73.5psi

LPR turn/s in from flush with HPR @ 300psi

Flush = 91.0psi
1 turn = 90.0psi
2 turns = 89.5psi
3 turns = 85.5psi
4 turns = 76.5psi
5 turns = 68.0psi

LPR turn/s in from flush with HPR @ 250psi

Flush = 87.5psi
1 turn = 87.0psi
2 turns = 86.0psi
3 turns = 81.5psi
4 turns = 73.0psi
5 turns = 65.5psi

LPR turn/s in from flush with HPR @ 200psi

Flush = 84.5psi
1 turn = 84.0psi
2 turns = 83.5psi
3 turns = 78.0psi
4 turns = 69.5psi
5 turns = 61.0psi

LPR turn/s in from flush with HPR @ 150psi

Flush = 81.5psi
1 turn = 81.5psi
2 turns = 81.0psi
3 turns = 75.5psi
4 turns = 66.5psi
5 turns = 58.5psi

[bustaflexon]

awesome, pretty good info here!

[shadoflame]

nice... sticky!!!!

[Uziel Gal]

The LPR on my Etek3 registers almost exactly 100psi with a 260psi input pressure, which is what I would expect. However, the spring tension doesn't seem to change until after I have turned the adjuster screw in two turns - at that point the output pressure is basically unchanged. Only from two turns and onwards do I see a change in the LPR output pressure.

Having said that, the Etek3 I have on loan from Planet is one of the prototypes, so the difference in my results may be due to the marker not being entirely to production specifications.

[tigar19]

Originally Posted by Uziel Gal

The LPR on my Etek3 registers almost exactly 100psi with a 260psi input pressure, which is what I would expect. However, the spring tension doesn't seem to change until after I have turned the adjuster screw in two turns - at that point the output pressure is basically unchanged. Only from two turns and onwards do I see a change in the LPR output pressure.

Having said that, the Etek3 I have on loan from Planet is one of the prototypes, so the difference in my results may be due to the marker not being entirely to production specifications.

So...does this lead you think it should be screwed in more than two turns from flush? What's the optimal LPR output pressure you are looking to achieve?

This is a great thread BTW!

[Uziel Gal]

If you look at the measurements from the digital gauge, you'll actually see that the results are similar to my experiences, only starting at a lower pressure; the first two turns of the LPR screw are having very little effect on the output pressure - just 0.5psi per turn. Beyond two turns, you start seeing more meaningful changes in the output.

If you have a look at your Etek3 manual, in the section regarding the adjustment of the regulators, you'll see that Planet actually recommend that you start with the LPR screw two turns in on the Etek3, rather than starting from flush.

[tigar19]

OK, just so I understand.

Starting with the screw 2 turns in from flush, turning the screw clockwise will decrease the LPR pressure which in turn will reduce the force moving the rammer back and forth...thus reducing kick?

So if my goal is to reduce kick, I should continue to turn the screw clockwise in 1/4 increments until the marker stop fully cycling and then turn it counterclockwise maybe 1/2 a turn.

Does this make sense or am I missing something?
If this is correct, what's the trade-off?

Thanks again.

[Uziel Gal]

I would not recommend turning in the LPR screw until the marker stops cycling. This may mean that the reg seat seal is forced in to contact with the reg seat, which can damage/dislodge the seal, and you would then need to buy a new piston.

You don't really approach Ego/Etek tuning in the way you describe - it's not about setting the lowest possible LPR pressure. If nothing else, if you set the lowest possible LPR pressure to get the Etek to work correctly at a given HPR pressure, then if you then have to turn up the HPR pressure, the LPR pressure won't be high enough, and your velocity will drop. Turn the HPR pressure up higher (to compensate) and the velocity will actually drop even further! Quite simply, the LPR pressure is not high enough to give the rammer the force required to open the valve, and the higher the HPR pressure, the harder it becomes for the rammer to open the valve.

So, what Planet do is to design the LPRs to provide the required pressure to ensure that the rammer can open the valve throughout the likely range of pressures that you are likely to adjust your HPR to.

Long story short, but basically, 100psi is the approximate LPR pressure for an Ego or Etek. The LPR adjuster should only ever really be used for fine adjustment, not for making large pressure changes.

[tigar19]

Thanks again Uziel!

I understand it better now.

[PO-BOY]

just what i was looking for. thanks

[jonnygreenjeans]

Where exactly did you find the Low Pressure tester and the High Pressure tester? I would like to fine tune my Etek 4... Greatly informative thread btw