How to Fill An HPA Tank With an Air Compressor? 7 Steps Guide

Although there are a lot of different power tools that are being used on an industrial or commercial level, air compressors are the most useful. Also, they are within your budget, and you can have them at your home. One can use an air compressor in paintballing as well. But, how to fill an HPA tank with an air compressor?

There are a lot of things one can do with air compressors. Especially when you want to fill something with air, you can conveniently fill the tank of HPA (High-pressure air tank) with air compressors. HPA tanks are high-pressure air tanks in which you can fill air safely with air compressors.

The following article will outline the steps to fill the tank and the precautions we should take.

What is an HPA tank, and for Which Purpose it’s Used? 

HPA (High Pressure Air) tanks come in a variety of sizes. These various size tanks can store a lot of pressure, and the amount of pressure tells how long the tank will last (will allow it to work). It can be made of steel or aluminum and has a thick layer to prevent it from freezing. Depending on the size, these large tanks can store up to 3000-5000 PSI. 

As the name suggests, The HPA tanks store compressed air at a very high pressure which is later used with paintball guns where pressure is required for shooting paintballs. HPA tanks might be used in several other applications, but paintball is a major. 

It comes with a pressure relief valve that releases pressure when the tank gets too hot or high.

Why Should I Use an Air Compressor for Filling an HPA Tank?  

There are many benefits of using an air compressor for filling an HPA tank which not only help the tank to stay filled but also help it be safe and perform smoothly. 

Cost-effective:

Using an air compressor is cost-effective because you can easily refill your tank at home without going to stores repeatedly ( which is expensive). 

Convenient: 

This method is convenient since you can fill the tank at home. It saves you from hassle, and you can simply do refilling at home without needing to go out. 

Good-quality:

Store-based can have impurities which you do at home, and you know there are clean and no contaminants filling in the tank.

More usage time: 

It gives more air pressure which increases the usage period for users. The compressors refill the tank and increase its duration. 

Easy to use and carry: 

Compressors are portable, and you can carry them with you. This method is easy to use: You do not need professionals or special skills to fill a tank with a compressor; all you have to do is connect.

Versatile: 

It is versatile: you will not waste money for only one purpose. But the compressor can be used for many other purposes and will help you power other tools for inflation and equipment. 

Can you Fill an HPA Tank With a Regular Air Compressor?

Yes, you can use a regular air compressor, which has 100-120 PSI, but it will be time-consuming because it will take a lot of time. So, what is the best? The best PSI for the air compressor for HPA tank filling is 180-200 PSI or more, based on the tank size.  

How to Fill an HPA Tank With an Air Compressor?

Before taking you towards the filling procedure, you need to know tools that are required to carry out this process…

1. Air Compressor (Obviously that’s how you’re going to fill HPA tank)
2. Of course, HPA tank
3. Nozzle or maybe set of nozzles
4. Air Hose
5. Safety Kit (For you)

Now that you have gathered all the tools necessary it’s time to start the filling job.

There are a few steps you need to follow to fill HPA tanks. You shouldn’t skip or overlook those steps. Your little carelessness can lead to a disaster.

There are seven steps that you need to follow:

1. Look for Max Capacity of High-Pressure Air Tank (HPA)

While starting to fill the process, check for the capacity of the HPA tank. Many people do not take this step seriously and suffer later. Take note of all information about the HPA tank and how much air it can hold.

2. Check for Any Leakage on HPA Tank

Before you start filling the tank, you need to make sure that the tank has no leakage. For that purpose, check it thoroughly and make sure it is not leaking. Contact a professional if there is any leakage, and repair it before using the product. If there is any leakage and you start using it, it will lead to an accident and a lot of damage.

3. Open Air Releasing Valve to Release Air From HPA Tank

If you have done the two steps above, it is now time to open the air-releasing valve on the HPA tank. When you refill the HPA tank, there shouldn’t be any air inside. For this reason, exhale all of it in just one step by opening up the valve on top and letting out every last breath of air from the tank.

The space inside your tank is pressurized, so it’s best to release the air in a well-ventilated area. Breathing problems can occur if you don’t do this.

4. Connect the Air Compressor to Fill HPA Tank

Usually, air compressors come with a long air hose. Connect the HPA tank to this hose using an adapter or coupler. Make sure both nozzles on an air compressor and tank are of the same size. Ensure that all connections are tight and secure before you start filling up your tank with an air compressor.

5. Turn on the Air Compressor

Now you are all set to go. Switch on the air compressor and let it fill up your HPA tank with compressed air. Make sure that when filling, the pressure gauge is at zero level. When the pressure isn’t at zero, lower the pressure by opening the valve of an HPA tank slightly until the needle reaches back to zero or starts moving downwards slowly.

6. Keep Checking the PSI of the Tank while Filling

While filling your HPA tank with an air compressor, keep checking how much pressure it is holding. You can do this by looking at the pressure gauges on the top of the tank. Fill up more if needed.

While adding or removing air from inside a tank in the absence of a PSI level, make sure to use one-pound increments. Also, be careful since overfilling can cause damage.

You Can Stop Filling When Tank Reaches 80% Capacity Level or when Needed Amount of Pressure Reached in HPA Tank.

As soon as your HPA tank reaches the required pressure (PSI), stop filling it.

7. When filled, Turn off the Air Compressor

After the HPA tank refill, shut down the air compressor and disconnect both the air compressor and HPA tank. You have just successfully filled up your HPA tank with an air compressor.

Before using it, check once again for any leakage on either side of connections or anywhere else.

Safety Precautions You Should Follow While Filling HPA Tanks

When dealing with power tools, you must safety precautions to avoid any hazard that may cost you a life. For this purpose, we’ve highlighted some of the major safety precautions you should take while filling an HPA tank.

• The room should be well ventilated for this process, so no smoking or open flames.
• Breathing problems can occur if you don’t release the air from the HPA tank in a ventilated area. So make sure to do that.
• Also, turn off your compressor before letting any pressurized air into the atmosphere after filling up an HPA tank.
• HPA tanks have a hydro date that indicates the last time of inspection. To ensure better maintenance, inspect the tank once every five years.
• Don’t put oil or grease on its nipple during the filling process. That can lead to a fire hazard.
• It is essential to fill the tank slowly and consistently during each process. Faster than 150 PSI infills will cause a loss in pressure, so keep your speed slower for more accurate results.

Which type of tank can be used other than HPA tanks? 

CO2 Tanks

These tanks are made of steel and aluminum, which is great to pressure the tool. Carbon dioxide is in either liquid or gas form. Because of many concerns, it can be a little dangerous to use CO2 for paintball, and it causes dangers to life and surroundings (Only professionals should use it). 

Which One is Better for Paintball – CO2 or HPA? 

HPA or High Pressure compressed air tanks contain highly compressed oxygen. CO2 or compression carbon dioxide often exists in liquid form rather than gasses. Pure gas tanks are rare and might be unable to be refilled at home.

The biggest one is 5000 PSI, giving you high-power shots in the field. The third is CO2, which can be released from the tank only after pulling a trigger or simply by holding a paintball.

For this reason, we always use either HPA or CO2 as paintball air tanks.

Are There Stations or shops where you Can get your HPA tank Filled? 

Yes, there are stores or local stations where you can easily take your HPA tank and fill it. Sometimes these stores fill the tank for free, or sometimes it will take money (Maybe $5 to $10). It depends on your area or country. But firstly, you should look out for paintball stores or competition fields because they usually have the equipment to refill the tanks.  

Should you Fill Hpa Tank By Yourself? Our Recommendation!

Yes, you can fill the HPA tank by yourself when you know the exact process and are familiar with handling it. But for new users, it can be expensive because the compressor is extremely expensive. (When you can get refilling service within approximately 5-10 dollars)

Being expensive can be dangerous too. The professionals have experience and equipment, which makes them an ideal choice to rely on when filling an HPA tank. So, avoid doing it by yourself when you know nothing!!

Anyhow, if you still want to know how to fill an HPA tank with an air compressor, we’ve mentioned the steps in detail, such as:

While filling the tanks, we need to look for the maximum capacities they can hold of the air. Then we need to check for leakages and then open and release sir from the HPA tanks.

After connecting it to the HPA, we need to turn on the compressor but keep it. While working, you need to monitor the PSI of the tank. After using it, you need to shut it down.

But you need to make sure of your safety while filling the air in HPA. We have talked about some precautions you need to take in this article.

FAQs

Can you put compressed air in a CO2 tank for Paintballing?

Compressed air is not the best way to fill up your CO2 can. You could end up with a gun that doesn’t work correctly, and shooting would be frustrating! So, yes, you can put in CO2, but again, it’s not suitable for paintball guns.

What kind of compressed air tanks do I need to fill paintball tanks?

The most commonly used air compressors are driven by electricity since they can be easily connected to a power source at home or in the garage without causing noise pollution. Other air compressors use gas for their operations and make sounds while working, so they aren’t preferred by many people who want a quiet environment around them. The standard air compressor for filling paintball gun tanks will be rated at 4500psi or higher.

How do you fill a paintball tank with an air compressor at home? 

You can fill your paintball tank using an air compressor at home by following the seven steps mentioned in detail above in the article. 

First, make sure it has enough capacity and is not leaking, and then drain it completely before connecting it to the compressor. After connecting: turn on the compressor and let it reach its maximum pressure, then turn it off. 

Also, Read: 

How to use an Air Compressor for Tires? 4 Quick Steps Guide For You!

How to Drain An Air Compressor? Why & When You Should Drain?