Help adapting a new cyclone feeder to a Factory FA

[COB]

Among the Hoard in the Arsenal are 3 Factory FAs. Two of them are incomplete Factory FAs. One has no feeder and the other has an empty feeder. Chances of finding the correct replacement parts are less than me running a 4 40. Or running at all. Therefore, I thought it might be possible to mod those FAs to fit the new cyclone feeder. I vaguely remember seeing that someone on this site has retrofitted the cyclone to the Pro Lite/ Pro Am model. I have tried to find the related posts to that build. However, my IT skills are as lacking as my height. So, here I am asking for help and direction. Creative insults and witty derisive comments are also accepted.

[Glovebox Operator]

Have you tried duct tape? I hear it's been used to great effect on various things.

[COB]

Yes. It worked well to hold the paint in place, but it gets stuck in the barrel.

[Glovebox Operator]

Then there's probably no hope.

[trashcollector]

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...nn-factory-f-a
https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/p...ry-f-a-rebuild <-?

[FlightMedic938]

I’m just spitballing here because I don’t own a FA but I imagine you’ll need to dremel the Cyclone so it’ll fit the body or some type of rip clip adapter plus dremel work. Not sure how the FA works, does it use the same valve as the Pro AM? If so, you can’t just tap the valve because the Cyclone will be under constant pressure. Does the FA use a velocity adjustment screw like the Pro series markers? One that chokes airflow? If so, you could try getting air from there. You would need the correct reducer and a barb and just run it to the Cyclone. I’m not sure it would be enough pressure because a lot of energy is lost by the time it reaches the powertube. I imagine everything in the Cyclone would need to be upgraded to try and make up for the pressure loss. Or you could do a different approach that’ll be more money but definitely cooler.

You could run the Cyclone off an LPR. You’ll need a 45 grip I would think. LPR goes to a whisker valve and 3 way in the grip. The whisker would need to be triggered by the tail drop of the sear so placement would need to be very precise. The output of the 3 way would go to the Cyclone. This is how I’m going to run an RT on one of my projects but it’s the same theory here.

I haven’t done any of this. Just theorizing.

[C26G]

My F/A had same internals as all my Pro Lites, only difference of course is the piston setup on the top rear of the receiver. Safety is totally different to properly actuate the sear in different fire modes. The feed opening on right of the receiver is different and possibly further forward than the Pro Lites. I too am brain storming a better feed scenario for mine

[COB]

Thanks for the feedback. The critical thing to remember is that one marker has no feeder at all, and the second marker has an empty feeder shell. No paddles, bottom plate, spring, handle or pins. Therefore, the second marker is essentially the same as the first.
It appears that the new cyclone fits the marker physically but will require being tapped for the 2 mounting screws instead of the current single screw mount. Additionally, it requires air to operate. I have considered a Rip Clip, but mounting seams a little tricky. There is no top rail to clip to, and the bottom screws may impinge on the battery or drive parts of the Rip Clip. I'm sure there are a host of other rapid feed systems that may be grafted on. I'm open to ideas.
I have a pile of electric feeders, a warp feed and some other feeders in the arsenal that might be an answer.

[C26G]

I would not recommend the modern gas powered cyclone. There would probably be an issue with the velocity due to loss of pressure overall. Also it would be a pain to add a separate air line for the cyclone. Maybe that could be ran separate to the ASA? I've added a Pro Lite fore end to mine and it fits - but the feed neck does not align with the orifice on the receiver. I believe this could be dremeled out a bit to work but I don't have a junk fore end I wanna hack up at the moment. Second image is a training ball stuck right above the feed opening - rubber training ball, smaller than normal .68

[COB]

Nice solution to a difficult problem. I am sure I have a spare Pro Lite fore end if you need one. I am partial to a lower profile setup than the standard E feeder on a feed neck. I have the playing style of a near sighted sloth; invisibility is my only hope of not being repainted FPO colors.

[C26G]

Thank you COB, I'm looking at buying one right now actually. Appreciate you

[capitalpaintball]

Its dooable project, but will require heavy modding. One major problem is the A-5 cyclone does not feed if it is not on an A-5. there is a "arm" on the side of the body that reaches into the feed and guides the ball into the breach. Drilling a hole for the air fitting isn't to hard, either is mounting the cyclone to the Fa.

[COB]

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't consider the importance of the A5 arm. That does change the thinking on this significantly. So, I need to focus on the other force feeder options like the RIP CLIP, Warp feed, Q loader or some FrankinCob creation to mount to the marker.

[Chappy]

If you replace the velocity screw with a 10-32 barb fitting and run on liquid co2 I believe you can cycle the cyclone. Does not fix the arm issue but figured I’d share. 99% positive someone confirmed this many moons ago but never went any further.

[Chemical-x.....ahain]

I like the idea of the rip clip. Potentially it may need a new shell but ive never seen that system up close.

Ive owned several FA over the years and still have a feed cup but its got a broken spring and missing two of the rollers.

[Trbo323]

If you replace the velocity screw with a 10-32 barb fitting and run on liquid co2 I believe you can cycle the cyclone. Does not fix the arm issue but figured I'd share. 99% positive someone confirmed this many moons ago but never went any further.

This is what I would do. Then drill and tap the back cap for an adjustment screw to run velocity adjustment as an RVA

Sent from my motorola edge 2024 using Tapatalk

[COB]

The upside is I believe that I have an RVA for the Pro Lite. That should fit the FA rear threads. Now it is just a matter of getting the barb fitting for the bottom VA plug. Any chance HPA in the 900 to 1000 psi range can be substituted for liquid CO2. I already have tanks modded for the SMG60s with those outputs.

[capitalpaintball]

So a bit getto. But i use syphon on the Fa so cyclone was not an option. I did this mod over 15 years ago and it still works. Took a 98 feed elbow and ground it down untill it fit in the empty feed, then filled the rest of the cup with hot glue. Halo works great.

[C26G]

Ah this is great, thank you for this idea. I didn't think 98 feed elbows would slide on and lock in place with FA or Pro Lite bodies?

[capitalpaintball]

I said ghetto. Hot glue and expanda foam

[C26G]

Hott damm! That is the original FA cyclone housing? I think someone said the newer housing screw holes won't match up

[capitalpaintball]

Yes its the original housing, spring died long ago.

[capitalpaintball]

[Cdn_Cuda]

Could a plate be made similar to the adaptors used to put rip clips on Tippmanns?

[COB]

Get out of my head! You are reading my mind. Once I have full use of my left arm again, I will be working on something like that. Of course, at that time I will have to refer to your FA rebuild thread to ensure that everything else works.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Glad that write-up is useful!

[C26G]

As someone else said, the Pro Lite feed port is at the 1 o'clock position on the body, the F/A port is at the 3 o'clock. So, I won't even bother cutting out any Pro Lite forends, not much material there to work with. We will figure this out eventually