Finding a spare ego 11 solenoid gets tougher every year, but it's the only way to help keep one of the best poppet guns ever made really firing. If you've been in the paintball game scene for a while, you know the Planet Eclipse Ego 11 was the massive level intended for the platform. It brought us the particular POPS ASA and, more importantly, all those adjustable solenoid stream restrictors that allow us finally beat the shot trademark. But similar to mechanised heart, that solenoid isn't going to continue forever without a little bit of bit of love—or a lot of luck.
Why the Ego 11 Solenoid will be a Different Beast
When the particular Ego 11 dropped, the big feature was the "Solenoid Flow Restrictors" (SFRs). Just before this, Egos had been known for being loud, snappy, plus a bit kicky. They were "blades" in an entire world of "hammers. " The ego 11 solenoid transformed that by allowing players to bodily restrict the exhaust system air from the particular solenoid, slowing the particular forward or rearward stroke of the rammer.
It was a huge deal. You could finally make an Ego shoot "smooth. " But that will added complexity means there's a little bit more that can go wrong. Unlike the particular older, more "dumb" solenoids that were just on-or-off valves, this is integrated directly into a manifold system that's fairly specific for this frame. A person can't just swap within a generic part from an old model and anticipate it to function. It's a precision-engineered part of kit that manages the air flow for each single shot.
Troubleshooting the particular "Click of Death"
We've just about all been there. You get to the field, air up your own tank, click the board on, and pull the result in. Instead of that satisfying "pop, " you just listen to a little, pathetic click . When your ego 11 solenoid begins clicking but the particular marker isn't bicycling, you've got the few things in order to check before you start mourning your bank account.
First off, inspect battery. Seriously. I am aware it sounds like Tech Support 101, but solenoids require a particular amount of volt quality to trip the particular internal pilot control device. If your battery pack is sitting at 70%, it might have enough juice in order to turn for the FLAT SCREEN screen but not enough to actually proceed the physical components inside the solenoid. Always start along with a fresh, brand-name 9V battery—not that will generic stuff from your bottom of your gear bag.
When the battery will be fresh and it's still just clicking on, your solenoid may be "sticky. " This happens a lot if the gun has been sitting within a closet intended for three years. The interior lube dries upward or turns into a gummy insert, and the pilot control device just can't conquer the friction. Occasionally, a couple of drops associated with light oil (not grease! ) within the ASA can help, but a person need to be careful. Too much gunk will certainly just make the issue worse.
Dealing with Leaks and Hisses
If a person hear air dripping from inside the frame, it's usually one of two things: the blown O-ring around the rammer/LPR or the failing ego 11 solenoid . To figure out which it is, you usually possess to degas the particular marker and consider the frame away.
The leak coming straight from the solenoid manifold is often just a bad gasket or a loose screw. The Ego 11 uses a manifold that rests involving the solenoid plus the body. There are tiny, specialized gaskets in generally there that can get pinched or dry out there. If the drip is coming from the tiny "vent" holes for the solenoid itself, that's usually a sign that an internal seal provides given up the ghost.
The frustrating part? These solenoids are officially "non-user-serviceable. " Planet Eclipse and MAC (the manufacturer) didn't design all of them to be taken apart by players. In case you try to crack one open, you're dealing along with tiny springs plus seals which are incredibly easy to drop or damage. Many pros will inform you that as soon as the internal seals go, it's period for a substitute.
The Secret from the Solenoid Flow Restrictors
The two little knobs on the frame—the SFRs—are directly associated with how the ego 11 solenoid breathes. If you've messed with these and now your own gun is acting weird, try resetting them to the particular factory "open" position.
If you turn the SFRs down as well low, especially within winter, the rammer might not move fast enough to in fact trip the control device or reset correctly. It can result in the marker to "chuff" or skip shots. I often tell people to keep them open unless they really need to quiet the gun down for a specific tournament. A reliable gun that will kicks just a little is always better than an easy gun that doesn't shoot at all.
Why Locating a Replacement is Such a Discomfort
If you've spent any time on eBay or even PBNation lately, you know that a brand new ego 11 solenoid is generally an unicorn. Planet Eclipse stopped making these specific models in years past. Because the particular Ego 11 had been so popular, the remaining stock of substitute parts got gobbled up pretty rapidly by techs plus collectors.
You may see "MAC solenoids" for sale that will look similar, but be careful. The Ego 11 uses the specific manifold mounting pattern and also a particular voltage coil. You can't just bolt on a solenoid from a different industry and expect the Ego panel to drive it properly. Your best bet these days is usually finding a "parts kit" gun or checking in with specialized legacy techs who might possess a stash associated with used-but-working pulls.
Maintenance Tips in order to Make It Last
Since a person can't easily buy a new one particular, you've got to deal with the ego 11 solenoid you have like royals. The biggest great of those parts is definitely dirt and over-greasing.
- Watch the LPR: Your own Low Pressure Limiter (LPR) is what nourishes air to the solenoid. If your LPR is creeping or set too higher, you're putting method too much pressure on the solenoid's internal seals. Keep your LPR cleaned and lubed therefore it stays constant.
- Don't Over-Lube the Rammer: Whenever you put grease in your rammer O-rings, make use of just enough in order to make them sparkly. If you gloop it on, that will excess grease will eventually get taken into the solenoid. Once grease will get in the tiny surroundings passages of the solenoid, it starts to collect dust and debris, eventually leading to the "sticky" valve.
- Use Good Air: Make sure that your tank will be clean and your fill up nipple includes a cover up. Dust and sand getting into your air system should go straight through your own regulators and straight into the solenoid, acting like sandpaper upon those delicate internal parts.
Is definitely it Worth Fixing?
I obtain asked this a great deal: "Is it worthy of spending $150+ with an used ego 11 solenoid for a marker that's over the decade old? "
Individually, I think the particular answer is really an unqualified yes. The Ego 11 is one of the nearly all iconic markers in the history associated with the sport. It offers a believe that modern solenoids just don't replicate. There's something regarding the mechanical "clack" of an Ego poppet that seems more raw plus engaging than the particular ultra-smooth, almost electric feel of a modern spool device like the CS3 or the Luxe.
If your frame is in good shape and the board still lighting up, replacing or even reviving the solenoid is a small price to spend to keep an item of paintball background on the industry. Plus, there's nothing that can compare with the look on a more youthful player's face whenever you out-shoot them along with a "vintage" gun that sounds like a jackhammer and never breaks the ball.
Wrapping Up
The ego 11 solenoid is the spirit of the marker. It's the bridge among the electronics plus the mechanics. Although it can be a bit finicky plus hard to find these days, taking treatment of it isn't rocket science. Keep the air clean, keep your battery fresh, plus don't go crazy with the oil. If you undertake that, your Ego 11 need to keep humming (or rather, popping) intended for years in the future. And if it does finally give upward? Well, the search for parts is just part of the fun of owning a classic.