Sweet spotting the regulator is not
a quick process, but it is easy at least, and integral to an
Autococker running at its most efficient. It is time consuming,
and requires a good deal of air, and some paint. You also need a
chronograph (those handheld radar chronographs are great for
this)
The relationship
between an Autococker's input pressure and velocity is in the
shape of a bell curve. This means that as pressure goes
up, so does velocity, but only to a point. There is a
point where any more input pressure results in a lower
velocity. This is because the excess pressure is causing
the valve to shut prematurely, stifling velocity.
Start by turning your inline regulator all the way down
to zero psi, also set your velocity adjuster at two turns in
from all the way out.
Now, increase your pressure slowly while shooting the
marker over the chronograph. Adjust your pressure
25 psi at a time, and take five shots (give or take) over the
chronograph to establish a velocity at that pressure. Continue this process
until the velocity peaks, which is when any increase in
pressure will result in a decrease of velocity. This point varies for
every marker and is the most efficient pressure setting for
your spring set.
When the velocity drops, start lowering the pressure (5
psi at a time).
The velocity should start to go up again. Gently nudge the
pressure lower and lower (using those small increments) until
any change, be it up or down, results in a lower
velocity.
Now
that the regulator is sweet spotted, you need to adjust the
velocity adjuster to reach your desired velocity. With any luck, the
regulator will sweet spot right around 290 fps. Try not to turn the
velocity adjuster in more than half way, as it tends to put
too much stress on the
spring. |