Introduction to Pneumatics for Home Haunting
Lesson 3
Air Accessories
Undoubtedly, air cylinders and valves are vital to pneumatic operation, but they would be useless without the parts and pieces to connect the two. There is a multitude of accessories for use in pneumatics, what is covered here is only a short list.
Fittings: Located on cylinders and valves are ports, threaded orifices through which air passes. On these ports are mounted fittings used to attach tubing (discussed below). Choices of fittings include barbed and push quick fittings.
Barbed: Barbed fittings are used in applications where a secure and permanent 
connection is desired. The design uses a barb located on the nipple to "grab" the hose. Depending on the fitting and tubing selected, a clamp may or may not be necessary to secure the connection.
connection is desired. The design uses a barb located on the nipple to "grab" the hose. Depending on the fitting and tubing selected, a clamp may or may not be necessary to secure the connection.Push-To-Connect: These fittings use internal pressure to hold tubing in place. A great 
advantage these offer is quick connectivity and disconnection. For the haunter, this is helpful for post Halloween disassembly. Rather than having to deal with clamps and unscrewing other style fittings from cylinders and valves to remove tubing from a prop for storage, with these fittings you simply apply a small amount of pressure to the fitting to disconnect the tubing. This allows all fittings to remain on-board their respective devices.
advantage these offer is quick connectivity and disconnection. For the haunter, this is helpful for post Halloween disassembly. Rather than having to deal with clamps and unscrewing other style fittings from cylinders and valves to remove tubing from a prop for storage, with these fittings you simply apply a small amount of pressure to the fitting to disconnect the tubing. This allows all fittings to remain on-board their respective devices.Tubing: To convey compressed air from valve to cylinder, tubing is needed. There are several materials offered in the pneumatic field, but we will only focus on polyethylene and polyurethane.
Polyethylene: A low cost alternative to the more popular Polyurethane, polyethylene tubing is chemical resistant, extremely flexible, kink resistant and abrasion resistant. Unstable when exposed to sunlight.
Polyurethane: Polyurethane enjoys all the benefits of polyethylene, but with better flexibility. It is a relatively new material and is more user friendly than polyethylene.
Regulators: Used to control air pressure, air regulators are a vital component in pneumatic 
prop control. Too much pressure not only causes a cylinder to fire too quickly, but the extra pressure also imposes extra wear on both cylinder and prop. Too little air pressure, and the cylinder will not move. Regulators keep air pressure constant easily with a dial and gauge. Many air compressors come with a regulator already, so if only one air cylinder is used in a haunt, the on-board regulator will suffice. If more than one air cylinder is present, and each is operating at a different psi, a second air regulator will be needed.
prop control. Too much pressure not only causes a cylinder to fire too quickly, but the extra pressure also imposes extra wear on both cylinder and prop. Too little air pressure, and the cylinder will not move. Regulators keep air pressure constant easily with a dial and gauge. Many air compressors come with a regulator already, so if only one air cylinder is used in a haunt, the on-board regulator will suffice. If more than one air cylinder is present, and each is operating at a different psi, a second air regulator will be needed. 
Filter: An often overlooked component, filters keep debris, and more importantly 
moisture, out of the air line. Moisture collects in air compressor tanks due to pressure differentials. When air from the compressor passes through lines and into pneumatic components, this moisture is carried with it. Moisture is very damaging to pneumatics, increasing wear and decreasing lifespan. Filters separate moisture from air and collect it.
moisture, out of the air line. Moisture collects in air compressor tanks due to pressure differentials. When air from the compressor passes through lines and into pneumatic components, this moisture is carried with it. Moisture is very damaging to pneumatics, increasing wear and decreasing lifespan. Filters separate moisture from air and collect it.Lubricator: While the filter removes moisture, the lubricator injects oil into the air line. Oil 
helps keep pneumatics running in peak condition. It is commonly underestimated just how important proper lubrication is. A lubricator may be avoided in home haunts if the pneumatics are running for a brief time, like an event on Halloween night only. Depending on the amount of times the prop runs that night, the prop builder could forego the lubricator in lieu of direct application of oil to pneumatic parts. If, however, a haunt runs for several nights with repeated activation of the pneumatic prop, and little chance of constant maintenance, a lubricator would be recommended.
helps keep pneumatics running in peak condition. It is commonly underestimated just how important proper lubrication is. A lubricator may be avoided in home haunts if the pneumatics are running for a brief time, like an event on Halloween night only. Depending on the amount of times the prop runs that night, the prop builder could forego the lubricator in lieu of direct application of oil to pneumatic parts. If, however, a haunt runs for several nights with repeated activation of the pneumatic prop, and little chance of constant maintenance, a lubricator would be recommended. Manifold: This accessory simply allows one pneumatic line to be split into several. Very 
important when running more than one pneumatic prop. The main air line goes into the manifold, and ports located on the manifold allow for 2-10 lines to branch out, depending on the style of manifold, meaning 2-10 pneumatic cylinders could be operated if necessary.
important when running more than one pneumatic prop. The main air line goes into the manifold, and ports located on the manifold allow for 2-10 lines to branch out, depending on the style of manifold, meaning 2-10 pneumatic cylinders could be operated if necessary.