Planet Eclipse LV1-1.5/LVR Solenoid Conversions
Hey everybody, I wanted to post another conversion that I recently did on an LVR. I was able to modify it to take the LV2 Solenoid. I'm actually not offering the conversions for the Ego 11 at this time as I want to fix the sealing on the solenoid manifold which will require testing out a few more design iterations. That said, I am now able to complete conversions on LV1.5 and LVRs (and probably the rest of the LV line).
Manifold Design
For this conversion, it uses an LV2 Solenoid, LV1.6/2 Manifold, LV1.6 Manifold Gasket, and LV1.6 Barb, in combination with the filter from your pre-existing LV Manifold. The Manifold requires milling to be done to it for it to fit on the frame, but it is still cheaper than the custom manifold required for the Ego 11 conversions.
Build Process
There are a couple things to note on this conversion and for assembling the parts together.
- I was able to bring down the price of this conversion from the Ego 11 since the LV line uses a longer manifold than the Ego 11 which allows me to actually modify the LV1.6/LV2 Manifold for use in the LV1 markers without needing to entirely machine a new one. As a result it will cost around $250 plus shipping for a conversion which I can start offering immediately through DMs.
- The LV 1 series board sends out a 5V signal to the solenoid to operate. the Lv1.6/2 Solenoid is designed to operate at a range of 2.7-3.3V. I have built in a voltage step down to decrease the signal voltage from 5V to 3.3V to keep it in the normal operating range. I will be including this in any conversions to prevent overvolting the solenoid. This does however require me to mill out some space in the frame which you can see in the photos below with the step-down installed.
- There is some milling of the frame that needs to be completed in order to prevent pressure on the solenoid which would cause it to bend away from the manifold and leak similar to the Ego 11. This is due to the increased height of the LV2 Manifold which is used in the conversion. Unfortunately, this does mean that the endmills used need to be treated as consumables due to the extreme stick-out required in order to mill the interior of the frame.
- The LV1.6/2 Manifold does not fit in the marker on its own nor do the holes align with screw holes on the upper body of the marker. As a result of this, I needed to modify the manifold. Unfortunately, due to the unique geometry required, it does look a little bit odd, but it is fully functional. I do also deburr the milled area for the safety of whoever is servicing the marker.
LVR.6 Conversion Prior to Milling for Voltage Step-Down
Zoomed in View of the Milled Area for the Voltage Step-Down
Conversion Results and Key Improvements
- The marker shoots very much like an LV1.6, I don't entirely know how the LV1.5/LVR previously fired but I would imagine it was very similar and that there isn't much difference at all.
- The conversion overall is a huge success in my opinion. I was able to take the marker to the field and chrono it at 285fps without any adjustments to the regulators or dwell settings from the owner who stated that it had been firing at 290fps previously.
- One of the concerns from a tech that I had received was the operating voltages of the solenoids and the risk of damage due to overvoltage. I have contacted SMC and was able to get my hands on the technical data for the LV2 Solenoid. Their stated operating voltage for the SMC LV1.6/2 Solenoid is 3V ± 10% which is how I determined that the 5V to 3.3V step-down would be adequate to prevent damage.
- I also was able to take the conversion to the field and try it out. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough people playing speedball when I arrived (due to the World Cup taking place) for me to try it on that field. So instead I had to go play against walk-ons. But here is some of the footage from playing with it.
Gameplay using the LVR.6 Conversion
- Please pardon me running down the small child (I did aim for his pod pack), he had previously gotten a snap-shot on me pushing down their side of the field and I couldn't let that happen a second time.