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PBC LPR
By Bill Mills - Sept 2004

When released in 2000, the Matrix turned a lot of heads with its quiet, low pressure operation.  Along with a reputation fore being quiet and fast shooting, it was known as a gas hog.  It wasn’t long (literally months) before custom shops were modifying the Matrix with low-pressure regulators designed originally for the Autococker.

The original Limited Edition Matrix used the same gas supply to both propel the paintball and move the bolt, which serves as the core of the paintgun’s spool valve.  The gas pressure going into the gun had to be low in order to keep from overpressuring the solenoid valve which takes electrical signals from the circuit board and directs gas to close the bolt and fire the paintgun.  

By adding a low-pressure regulator into the mix, the solenoid and bolt movement could be driven by low-pressure gas, while a higher supply pressure was used to propel the paintball.  The early LPRs on the Matrix drew air by tapping into the gas transfer spool in the lower front of the receiver, reducing the pressure of that gas, and then sending it back to the side transfer tube through a piece of hose.

When Paintball Central introduced their Matrix LPR, they eliminated the need for an external hose.  Instead routing all the air through a transfer spool built into the base of the regulator.

PBC’s LPR became standard equipment for the LCD Matrix when it was produced by Generation E.  It remains available as an upgrade accessory for owners of the earlier  Limited Edition and LED model Matrixes.  

Installing the LPR is extremely easy.  A hex wrench is used to remove the transfer spool from the lower front of the receiver, and the LPR, it’s o-rings lightly lubricated, in screwed into place.

Adjusting the LPR is slightly more complex.  Some on-line guides incorrectly recommend screwing the LPR’s adjuster knob all the way in as a starting point.  This is a mistake.  If the vertical regulator on the Matrix is adjusted too high, the LPR will allow any pressure to flow through it and damage the solenoid valve.  Instead, the LPR’s adjuster knob should be backed out.  

Proper adjustment requires use of a chronograph (and paint and goggles.)  When the Matrix is gassed up and activated, it will not fire when the trigger is pulled because the LPR will not yet be feeding gas to the solenoid valve.  The LPR is then adjusted inward a quarter turn at a time and test shots taken without paint until the pressure is high enough that the Matrix is shooting reliably.  Then, using paint and the chronograph, the Matrix is fired, and the LPR turned up, until turning it up produces a velocity increase of 5 feet per second or less.  A small hex screw in the adjuster knob is then used to lock the adjustment in place.

Velocity fine-tuning is then done with the vertical regulator.  This procedure is designed for maximum reliability.  It is also possible to lower the bolt operating pressure down from this setting.  Doing so means that the bolt will close with less force, which will further decrease the chance of a pinched or chopped paintball.  The drawback to going too low with the pressure is an increase the risk of a first-shot velocity drop off or bolt stick.

Even at the stock settings, the installation of the PBC LPR in a standard Matrix produced a noticeable increase in the number of shots per compressed air tank fill, and more adjustability in bolt pressure.  Further gas efficiency was obtained by combining the PBC LPR with an LCD bolt, and adjusting timing values to match the new bolt.
 

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