Tippmann C-3
Encyclopedia
The Tippmann C-3 was the first propane
powered paintball
marker. It operates on a unique system Tippmann
calls 'Propane Enhanced Performance'. The name 'C-3' is possibly in reference to propane's chemical formula, which is C3H8.
This is a simplified explanation of the C-3's firing system:
The C-3 operates on a closed bolt system. As the pump is pulled back by the shooter, the bolt moves back to allow one paintball to fall into the breech.
As the shooter returns the pump to the forward position, completing the pumpstroke, propane is drawn into the combustion chamber. The bolt also moves forward, sealing the breech, and bringing the paintball into the firing position.
After the pump stroke, the shooter pulls the trigger, causing a spark and igniting the propane. The resulting expansion of gases forces a piston forward, which in turn compresses air behind the ball, propelling the paintball forward.
Safety - The fuel in a standard 16oz propane tank is stored at about 120 psi (827,370.9 Pa), a much lower and safer pressure than the 800 psi (5,515,805.8 Pa) for or 3000 pound per square inch for compressed air.
Price - The non-refillable 16oz propane tank can be purchased at many discount, grocery, or hardware stores for about $3.00 and will be good for 50,000 shots. In contrast, a tank costs between 5-25 dollars and a compressed air tank between 35-200 dollars, and each must be refilled about 100 times, to deliver 50,000 shots. The efficiency of propane operation and the low cost of operating the marker are the main advantages of the C-3.
Simplicity - due to it being just that a propane canister, one can make a "remote line" using a standard propane hose without a regulator. This may slightly reduce the economic gain that comes from using propane, as gas inside the hose will be wasted (though the majority of propane is stored inside the tank as a far denser liquid).
Consistency - Propane is more consistent than in that propane is not as effected by ambient temperature.
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...
powered paintball
Paintball
Paintball is a sport in which players compete, in teams or individually, to eliminate opponents by tagging them with capsules containing water soluble dye and gelatin shell outside propelled from a device called a paintball marker . Paintballs have a non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble...
marker. It operates on a unique system Tippmann
Tippmann
Tippmann is a manufacturer of paintball markers and paintball equipment, including military simulation kits. A related company, Tippmann Industrial Products manufactures manual and pneumatic heavy-duty sewing machines primarily used for leather, other leather-related equipment, and some...
calls 'Propane Enhanced Performance'. The name 'C-3' is possibly in reference to propane's chemical formula, which is C3H8.
Operation
While almost every paintball marker relies upon the expansion of liquid or High Pressure Air (HPA) to propel the paintball, the C-3 is unique because it's using the combustion of propane rather than the expansion of an inert gas to propel the ball.This is a simplified explanation of the C-3's firing system:
The C-3 operates on a closed bolt system. As the pump is pulled back by the shooter, the bolt moves back to allow one paintball to fall into the breech.
As the shooter returns the pump to the forward position, completing the pumpstroke, propane is drawn into the combustion chamber. The bolt also moves forward, sealing the breech, and bringing the paintball into the firing position.
After the pump stroke, the shooter pulls the trigger, causing a spark and igniting the propane. The resulting expansion of gases forces a piston forward, which in turn compresses air behind the ball, propelling the paintball forward.
Advantages of Propane
Performance - Since combustion releases a great deal of energy compared to expansion, the C-3 is able to get up to 50,000 shots from one 16oz tank of propane, over 60 times the amount from a comparable or compressed air tank. In addition, propane is not affected by temperature, giving consistency comparable to compressed air systems.Safety - The fuel in a standard 16oz propane tank is stored at about 120 psi (827,370.9 Pa), a much lower and safer pressure than the 800 psi (5,515,805.8 Pa) for or 3000 pound per square inch for compressed air.
Price - The non-refillable 16oz propane tank can be purchased at many discount, grocery, or hardware stores for about $3.00 and will be good for 50,000 shots. In contrast, a tank costs between 5-25 dollars and a compressed air tank between 35-200 dollars, and each must be refilled about 100 times, to deliver 50,000 shots. The efficiency of propane operation and the low cost of operating the marker are the main advantages of the C-3.
Simplicity - due to it being just that a propane canister, one can make a "remote line" using a standard propane hose without a regulator. This may slightly reduce the economic gain that comes from using propane, as gas inside the hose will be wasted (though the majority of propane is stored inside the tank as a far denser liquid).
Consistency - Propane is more consistent than in that propane is not as effected by ambient temperature.