This is a custom modification I performed to aid in experimenting with Ions and to better understand how they function. I also had motive to perform this mod just to tinker with the gun (because nobody else had done it). It doesn't help much with performance, but it's definitely unique.
The purpose of the mod is to separate the airflow firing the marker into two types: pneumatics (LPR) pressure, and operating (firing) pressure. The LPR is used to drop the incoming (firing) pressure down a few notches, to decrease the air consumption and increase consistency. This is a common operation on other markers that use different designs, but Ions don't really need an LPR since they solenoid can operate at the same pressure as that firing the ball (140-180 psi). The marker can't directly utilize an LPR for this reason, so I had to perform some modifications.
With a few swapped fittings, drilled and tapped holes, and some spare tubing I was able to put everything together. First, the LPR is attached to the stock operating pressure gauge port on the right side of the frame. The LPR output then connects to the solenoid head (to feed the solenoid with air) by a 1/8" OD "microline" hose with a barb fitting on the head section. The other side of the solenoid head is plugged off so no air escapes.
I drilled and tapped another output at the front of the frame for the new operating pressure gauge (opposite the stock gauge position).
The vertical adapter also feeds back to the swivel donut, using a 5/32" OD hose on the outside of the marker. I had to cut a big hole in the exoskeleton for this. It also allows the donut to remain inside the exoskeleton when I remove the fire chamber (no c-clip is installed).
I can attach a modular pressure gauge to the opposite side of the solenoid head, if I want to read the pneumatics pressure for testing. Otherwise I just leave the gauge off.
Here's the finished marker...
What is the advanatge to this? Using my testing pressure gauge I can pinpoint the pressure that is required to hold the bolt open and fine-tune the marker for minimal air consumption. When setting the LPR very low, the makrer isn't able to recock on its own; by increasing the LPR pressure eventually the solenoid will overcome the dump chamber and the bolt will instantly cock itself to the open position. This LPR setting can be calculated using hte surface area pushing the bolt forward, surface area pushing the bolt back, and the firing valve pressure.
Consistency is improved by a small amount, however the maximum rate of fire is dropped to around 20-bps with a QEV installed.