Shocker FAQ Sheet

By Paul McClung



Index: Smart Parts Shocker

Scope


This FAQ is designed to provide information reguarding Smart Parts Paint Marker, "The Shocker". It is my hope that this FAQ will help provide useful factual information about this marker. I have made every effort to be as accurate and helpful as possible.

Description


Physical Attributes:

 Weight:
6lbs with Barrel, VL2000, Gas Through Stock, Forgrip and Remote.
8lbs with all of the above, plus 20Oz Bottle and Regulator.

Length:
Approx 8 Inches without barrel.
Approx 23 Inches with SP barrel.
Approx 30 Inches with Gas Through Stock.

The Shocker is divided into two major assemblies: the body assembly, and the grip assembly.

1. Grip Assembly

The grip assembly houses the actual electronics inside the gun. The solenoid valves, arm/disarm switches, trigger and remote trigger assemblies.


2. Body Assembly

The body assembly comprises of 6 functional areas.

a. The lower left side of the body houses 4 'AA' batteries. Smart Parts claims the batteries have an expected life of 75,000 to 100,000 shots. But also recommends changing them on a monthly basis. I investigated the possibility of using rechargable batteries, but found that most rechargable batteries have a functional voltage of 1.2VDC, while alkaline batteries are rated at 1.5VDC. So I decided to stay with the alkaline batteries.

b. In the lower right side of the gun is a chamber that houses a mechanism that controls the firing of the gun. When pressure is first applied to the gun, a piston is driven into an air chamber, this piston then opens a poppet that allows inlet gas to charge the air chamber. During the firing sequence, the firing selonoid alternately pressurizes the firing piston. When the piston is extended, the fill poppet opens, and when the piston is retracted, the fill poppet closes. This alternating motion constitutes one full firing cycle.

c. Just between these two areas is a gas manifold chamber which serves as a distribution area for various gas requirements of the marker.

d. The upper,center chamber houses the bolt assembly. When pressure is initially applied to the gun, the bolt is driven to its closed position. With the first trigger pull, the bolt opens, a paintball drops in, and the bolt closes. The gun is then ready to fire. Going from its closed to open and back to closed posistion, comprises one firing sequence.

e. Also attached to the bottom of the body assembly are two solenoid valves. A solenoid valve is simply a valve that opens and closes and controls the flow of air, liquid, or whatever is being controlled. The solenoid valves in the Shocker serve as the interface between the electronics and the gas distribution manifold.

f. A sight rail has been thoughtfully machined into the top of the gun.




Theory of Operation

  1. Pressure is applied to the gun, via the regulator.
  2. The bolt moves towards the closed posistion.
  3. Firing Chamber fills.
  4. Trigger is pulled.
  5. Firing piston is driven open, releasing gas from firing chamber.
  6. Gas is channeled through the gun, expelling the ball.
  7. Bolt is driven open.
  8. A paintball drops into the chamber.
  9. Bolt is driven closed.
  10. During steps 7-8, the firing piston opens a poppet to fill the           air chamber
  11. This completes on full firing cycle.

Maintenance

Broken Ball Maintenance

Cleaning a ball break on the field isn't the easiest thing to do. But its not to bad. If the break is in the barrel, just unscrew the barrel and squeegie it. If the break is in the gun, you must degass the gun, remove and clean the bolt, and then clean the bolt chamber, put the bolt back in, and regas the gun. However, after firing 2 cases of ZAP, 1 case of 68Ultra, 1 case of Pro-ball and 1 case of some VERY CHEAP generic paint, I haven't broken A SINGLE BALL!

Timing

The timing is all controlled electronically. Two potentiometers are provided to allow adjustment of the timing. Timing the gun involves a process similar to timing an Autococker.

Lubrication

Lubricating the Shocker can be accomplished by applying a very small amount (2 drops) of lubricant into a disconnect point. Pressurizing the marker, removing the barrel, and firing the marker until vapors are no longer visible.

Trigger Adjustment

The trigger is adjusted by moving the micro-switch which fires the gun. This micro-switch can be adjusted by loosening an adjustment screw and then rotating the switch to whatever the desired stroke length is.

Bolt Maintenance

Bolt maintenance involves inspecting the 7 or 8 external o-rings and 1 internal o-ring, Smart Parts recommends doing this after about every 25-30 games. Bolt overhaul is an involved process, as the bolt itself has a lot of parts. So I won't go into lots of detail.

Solenoids

These also require periodic maintenance. The solenoid body is a small boxed shaped looking structure. They connect to the guns gas distribution chamber via a gasket. Since these solenoids turn on and off to control air flow in the gun, keeping them free of debris is extremely important.


Comments

The overall feel of the gun is very solid. On the field, the extremly quiet firing, has a long effective range, and the fact that the gun almost never breaks paint makes for a day of enjoyable play. In competition I could easily envision these traits as having good strategic value.

Off the field maintenance only involves cleaning off any paint splatter that may be on the gun, and occasionally lubricating the bolt. Smart Parts recommends inspecting the O-rings on the bolt every 25-30 games, and overhauling the bolt after every 50 cases of paint. The same schedual applies to the air chamber mechanism as well.

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