R3 .30 caliber problem and fix
The Problem:
I first noticed after about 2K rounds my velocity dropped off. That can be common, sometimes the HST needs to be readjusted. So I screwed in the HST 1/4 turn and I was back at the 890 fps I was before. I was fine for about another 150 rounds until the real problem started. The gun started behaving erratic when trying to find zero on my target. I put the Matador on the chrony and I found a strange phenomenon. When the gun was full (220 BAR) no manner where the HST was set the most I could get out of the gun was 750 fps. As the pressure in the reservoir dropped the speed conversely would rise until below 150 bar the speed was at 912. I concluded that the valve must be stuck and the reason for the change in speed is that the valve gets more resistance from the air in the reservoir the higher the pressure. The valve must be allowed to move freely in the regulator. The belleville washers are clean, the O rings are perfect and the regulator is assembled correctly. What I found was the valve stem was slightly bent. I know this problem developed over time because the gun was super consistent when I was new. . The valve stem was not too long as it was in Ed’s factory specs. I straightened the valve stem reassembled the gun and I still had the same problem.
The fix:
what I found was the valve stem was slightly oversized and a little rough. Because the stem is steel and the valve stem housing is brass the valve was getting caught/sticking and in my opinion the valve couldn’t open enough. When the gun fell below the 150 pressure setting the valve didn’t have to work as hard to move forward when the hammer hit the stem. I polished the valve stem with 220/20/400/600/800/1200/2000 grit paper on a lathe until I could see my reflection in the valve stem. The valve moved like it was on ball bearings inside the housing. The regulator gave me 24 shots with the average at 880 and the ES at 2.6 fps.
I welcome any criticism you may have about my fix. It’s is possible that I just got lucky. Hell, it’s better to be lucky than good anyway.
All Replies
You are so graceful you old stinker :bow: :bow: :bow: :hoot:
:hoot:
That’s a good buy for someone willing to invest a minimum amount of patience and effort to sort out what should be a minor correction within the valve.
I’ve noted two types of .30 owners, those who love them, and those who hate them. Powerful, large caliber, pcp’s come with certain trade-offs..,not everyone is willing to make “accommodations” needed for special types of guns. On a personal note, I absolutely love the Air Ranger in .25 caliber. It’s a beautiful gun, well made, accurate, BIG, but neatly put together. However, its akin to dating a beautiful woman who eats like a horse, is 6″ taller than me, strong-willed, and difficult to control. Just more trouble than it’s worth!
Too much gun is every bit as bad as too much woman!
Hoot:
Thanks. Glad to hear a solution is close at hand. I am going to pick up the zeeafus .30 and see if Ernest can help me get it running. I’ve gone from 0 to .30 pretty quick on these Edguns! 😯
It is choked the ROT is 410mm (1:16) the valve issue is almost sorted out. I will post the fix when it’s 100%. The EDgun .30 is crazy accurate and it absolutely hammers critters. I haven’t had a problem with my valve since I polished the stem but I am seeking a more permanent fix. Ernest is helping me out and I will test and report ASAP.
Hey guys any updates on the valve issues? Wonder if a Viton seal material for the top hat would do the trick? Vito is a supremely tough fluoroelastomer seal material. I think certain grades can be machined.
Also, does anyone know the twist rate of the .30 barrel? Is it choked?
DT
I’m around fellas. I made a new valve for my .30 a few months back. It worked great, consistent 950 fps for 20 shots before the delrin seat insert disconnected from the cup it was pressed and glued into. I made the valve in three parts. The spring guide and seat cup were of 7071 aluminum. The seat was made of black delrin and inserts into the recess of the cup. It looks like a upside down top hat in other words. All that you see in the photo is the rim of the hat. The stem was made of drill rod. After it was press fit into the aluminum spring guide .65 inches and trimmed to length. I oil hardened it to temper it so it would take the pounding from the hammer. 
As stated above it eventually failed. And by then Ed was offering to give away new ones. I received a set as I have a couple of these .30’s at my disposal. After trimming and installing the first gen 2 valve It turns out it would not seal against the aluminum prechamber seat due to “inconsistent design”.
I informed Ed in another PM of my findings. Within two weeks I receive another set of Valves from ED. Hand written on the package…
I like Edguns. I have had nothing but support from Ed and all you guy’s. I appreciate the PM’s I receive from you gurus out there who know who you are also. I’m just trying to survive in this world with the rest of you. My valve design will work if someone can figure out how to keep the delrin from becoming separated from the cup it sits in. I’m limited in my knowledge and what I can do with my lathe and tools. I offer these photos and info in the hope that this will help get resolution in this matter. BTW I still have the Edgun and newer valve. Hoot mentioned for sale. I’m keeping the second upgraded new valve for my other gun “if” it needs it in the future.
:hoot:
I certainly hope someone clues “zeeafus” in, if the new valve stem works out. He’s been trying to give away his Edgun .30 for weeks now on the Yellow and TAG, but no one wants to pay good money for a gun that has unresolved issues.
Especially when the “improved” valve stem sent him has to be custom trimmed, and no guarantee it will work, and/or, isn’t reliable! That’s a rotten position to be in…pay 2K for a .30 gun with a cracked stock and a bad valve! That’s a potential very good buy for someone, when that valve issue is resolved!
Hoot:
I sure hope to c if this new valve works
earnest thanks for helping out
We need to perminately resolve this issue my gun is 3 months old now and don’t want it to turn into a 2000 dollar paper weight
Also earnest the shorter valve that u sent soze is that for the .25 ?
I might need one of those for my .25 this whole valve thing makes me nervous
Have a longer VS for you to test next week, keep the short one–that’s for the 1st generation. didn’t know the MK2 are longer.
FYI, The brass body on my original valve has an O.D. of 12mm and the replacement from Tony has an O.D. of 14mm.
Clint
That sounds good…. just one thing to keep in mind.
By changing the threaded rod out with something harder th valve may very well be curred…..
But what will that do to the hammer? Or surface that the valve stem comes in contact with.
I haven’t ever pulled my eddie apart so i don’t know how the valve/hammer design works…
Just a thought something to keep in mind.
You could probably get some tool steal. Make a new pin then heat treat it .. then good to go.
ED if your reading this. What are your thoughts ?
I kinda figured that, I thought the stem was press fit into the delrin. What I am wondering if a valve can be made from a solid piece of metal…
:hoot:
Now we’re getting somewhere!!!
Hoot:
I did a little dissecting on my original valve. The steel stem that seems to be the issue is nothing more than a 2mm rod that is threaded on the end. The steel stem is just as bendy on both the new and old valve. It is going to be pretty easy to try different materials for the stem.
FYI, The brass body on my original valve has an O.D. of 12mm and the replacement from Tony has an O.D. of 14mm.
Clint
Since I pulled my valve and polished the stem I have about 500 rounds through it without issue. Is the problem resolved? I don’t think so. Ernest sent me a new valve but it was too short for this regulator. I am going to send my OEM valve to John and see if he can fabricate one that will be bomb proof,
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Well put! I love a challenge :banghead: so I am hoping to get her sorted out and in a happy place….. sending 44grains of love downrange.
Stayed tuned :thumb:
DT