Flash Flood (and general Max-D trigger) repairing

[C-A_99]

Terms:

FF: Short for Flash Flood (well duh)

Max-D trigger: Reference to triggers first used on the Max-D line. These triggers make a clicking noise, are often stiff, and the click must go for the valve to open. When pulling such triggers, a system of random stuff inside snaps open a ball valve. This system allows for trigger-like feel and speed, but the ball valve allows more direct flow than the older valves do.

Starting up:

Due to numerous problems with the FF that so many people have had, are having, and will have, I thought it'd be a good idea to create a sticky thread/Arcticle on it. This stuff is actually pretty relevant with other guns that use Max-D triggers, there's just the usual random design variations, that make the problem vary from gun to gun. Most of the other guns' triggers aren't that weak either. (at least from what I've tried)

Opening:

To open up the FF, get all the screws. Beware of the ones under the Flood trigger. Afterwards, get the nozzle caps. Try to get the screwdriver in, as those caps are composed of 2 pieces. (one outside and one in) Those two pieces are secured by 2 screws. You may be able to pry out the small nozzle's cap, but you'll need to unscrew apart the large nozzle's cap. After that, it's the pump cap. My prefered method of getting through this is using a flathead screwdriver and a hammer. Use these to create a seam that passes through the cap vertically, so that one part of the cap is on one side of the gun and the other part on the other side.

Potential problems and repairs:

Now, the repair. In most cases, the spring(s) is/are the defective part of the trigger(s). If the spring is broken, it must be removed and replaced with something. Find a good rubber band or set of rubber bands, or an extension spring if you can find one. (springs are better but harder to find) One person used rubber bands for braces from an orthodon'tist. Study the Max-D trigger well, play around, and see how it works.

In some situations and guns, a different piece could be causing the problem. (as it was in the case of my friend's Max-D Secret Strike) If that's the case, reinforce and glue it up.

For me, my main trigger's spring broke up while the Flood trigger's spring weakened and often would lock up and not pull. I reversed the spring on this one and that fixed most of it, while adding rubber bands actually did not help. (nor did replacing the spring with rubber bands only) Even though it fixed most of the problem, whoever is using it still needs to pull the trigger fast, otherwise it'll lock up.

A lockup will occur anytime the elastic part (rubber band or spring) is too weak, mispositioned slightly, and/or isn't contracting fast enough. Lockups can sometimes be prevented if the trigger is pulled directly and fast enough. (for the flood trigger, I had to put my hand on where the connection to the Max-D system was and pull fast to prevent a lock-up) However, avoid pulling any potentially problematic trigger too slowly.

Here are some Flash Flood internal pics. Looking through other threads will often be helpful too.

http://www.isoaker.com/Armoury/Tech/...lashflood.html

And yes, mods, please sticky this. Thanks.

Edit: Due to word filters that are supposed to prevent mispellings of the word "Arctic", you'll have to adjust the URL as you go in. Just click the URL and change all capital "A"'s you see to lowercase, and correct the word to "ar.ticle" (without the period obviously)

Edit: The filter was removed so I was able to fix the link.

Edit: Fixed url since iSoaker changed.

[Silence]

Thanks for writing up the article! It should be much easier to link to it than to have to rewrite everything for each thread.

I should also note that readers should use the search feature to take a look at similar threads if more information is desired.

The open trigger valve repair article does offer a good bit of information on these repairs in general. However, as C-A_99 mentioned, the Max-D system is designed to snap open after the entire trigger pull and snap closed after you release the trigger completely. That seems to wear down the spring much more quickly.

I believe somebody suggested disabling the Max-D trigger system and connecting the trigger to the valve directly. However, I've forgotten who said that, and I don't know whether or not the plan was executed.

[C-A_99]

I thought of doing that before (direct trigger replacing Max-D system, probably never mentioned it though) on the Max-D Secret Strike, but never found anything that would fit through.

[C-A_99]

Ok, after a year, that very same FF is still having trigger problems and I've still been working with it, trying various combinations rubber bands and springs. I read up on an article on how to de-Max-D it and the procedure is very simple for the trigger. I just de-Max-D'd =p mine, tested it and it seems to be working out fine as well.

However, I'm currently having some trouble de-Max-D-ing 0_o the larger trigger. What I currently have in mind is to get some kind of arm on it, and have the big trigger get pushed forward instead of pulled backwards. I doubt anyone has done this before.

Here's a pic. You'll notice that I had to replace the screws for the smaller valve area since the old stuff wouldn't hold on and broke the thread. I simply tapped the new threads with the new screw and a drill w/ a screwdriver in it.

[StormGlorious]

C-A_99- That looks like a similar thing to what I did on my FF.Also are you using rings of bicycle inner tube as the spring, because I just created a trigger fix for the older CPS guns, using inner tube. I will post it on SSCentral as soon as pistures are available, but it is rather wet and cold so there's no saying how soon....
Anyway, good luck with the Flood trigger; I'll try and repair mine too, and I'll let you know if I come up with anything.

Storm,

[MarsGlorious]

Hey, that's similar to how I solved the trigger spring problem. I suppose I should cross that off our list of achievements. It seems mainstream.

[Ben]

Could you give a link for the article about de-Max-Ding a valve C-A? I think I missed that one. It sounds like something worth trying if nothing else works.