Launcher Troubleshooting

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Launcher has Poor Performance and may Honk when fired: This is generally due to the trigger valve or blow gun having insufficient flow, or being depressed too slowly. Make certain the flow restrictor at the tip has been removed and discarded. 

Launcher Won’t Hold Air Pressure: The launchers should hold pressure, leakage should be less than 5 psi in 5 minutes. It it is leaking really quickly it is generally a crack in the tube between the valve and the pressure chamber. It can be replaced. If a piece is broken off in the threads we have an extraction technique that involves cementing a special tube into the fragment and using that to unscrew it. The best way to understand a leak is to dunk the launcher while pressurized or while pumping into it and observe where the bubbles are coming from. Avoid submerging the pressure gauge, it has a paper scale that can be stained. Threaded joints that leak may be tightened slightly or disassembled, cleaned and re-sealed. Rectorseal Number 5 is very good at sealing the threads. Teflon tape also works.

Launcher is Broken: Broken launchers can generally be repaired. If you need help email us a photo of the condition and we can discuss the options.

Compressor Won’t Pressurize Launcher: Some small tankless compressors don’t work on launchers for some reason. We have even heard of cases where it worked one year and not the next. It may have to do with the one-way valve in the compressor’s output and how it interacts with the rigid small volume in the pressure chamber. If it seals too slowly there may not be progress in building pressure initially. The compressor may still work on bicycle tires but not on the launcher. If you have trouble make sure to try some other air sources before assuming the launcher is the problem. Some launcher valves (like piston valves) require more airflow to seal initially.

Launch Line Breaks near Reel: The Launch Balls move out at high speed, the line needs to feed very quickly. It should not go behind the line holder screw, and the rubber should not hold the line too tightly or it may snap from the shock. If you are using a fishing reel the casting release must be triggered before each shot. The line must not tangle or get behind anything. If the launch ball has no weight it will travel faster and this also make a breakage more likely, we always use weighted launch balls. We have also had trouble with fishing hardware like snap swivels causing problems. Using improper knots can be a problem – make sure to use fishing knots suitable for braided superlines. These lines are slippery and some common knots will pull right out or break at low tension.

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Alan Biocca, w6akb