Can some one please explain the settings on the minis? I just got my first one and the dwell really confuses me.

Dwell is the amount of time that the solenoid valve stays open. This setting controls the amount of air sent through the solenoid into the hammer.
Minis run fine on the FACTORY settings. What are you trying to accomplish?

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Nothing really....just trying to understand my marker completely. I've been reading about it and I think that's confused me. People are talking about doing certain things and running the gun at 160 psi and such.....all of it gets kinda confusing. But my main thing is I want to understand the stock stuff fully before I do anything to it.

So tell me....why would I need to adjust the dwell?

If you were trying to get your marker to operate at a lower pressure, you would need to adjust the dwell. Personally, I wouldn't fiddle with it. If you want to tune it, check out the ULTIMATE FIX YOUR MINI thread in the tech help section. There's a tuning guide there.

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There are two things that will affect the projection of a paintball. One is the air pressure and the second is how much of this pressurized air.

I don't know the real numbers but I'm going to make it up for simple explanation purposes. Also, if you know about how a camera's aperature and shutter speed affect a photo then you're one step ahead.

Let's say it take 100 cubic inches of air at 180psi to propel a paintball 290fps. If you drop your dwell, this means the valve is going to be open for a shorter length of time which will result in only 90ci of air at 180psi. In order to maintain a 290fps velocity you're going to have to compensate for the smaller volume of air by increasing its pressure from 180psi to 190psi by adjusting your ASA.

You see, there is an inverse relationship between the volume of air and its pressure. More air requires a lower pressure. Less air requires more pressure to propel a paintball 290fps.

Lower Dwell = greater efficiency. But could be inconsistent
Higher Dwell = smoother shot, lower efficiency, more consistent

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Thanks guys....it makes sense now.

Imwill def check that tuning thread out.