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View Full Version : G3/8 Fittings, tales of the tape.

skinnee
10-05-2008, 07:17 PM
There were some posts a while back on the BP G3/8 fittings (_G_ was asking about them), well I finally got around to pull the EK G3/8 and comparing them to the BP G3/8. So...on to the tale of the tape (well, caliper). If anyone has any dispute as to the depth of the caliper fingers on the bore, I guarantee you can move them further in or out and made only .01mm difference at most.

The EK is a bit taller while allowing more thread area, this could contribute to the tighter feel as the fitting is being screwed into the TC rad.
http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_01.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_01.jpg)http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_02.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_02.jpg)

Thread diameter: EK-16.46, BP-15.56.
Notice the BP is 0.9mm smaller, this has to be the reason that the fittings feel loose while being screwed into the TC. I noticed the felt loose until the o-ring gripped, then all was good.
http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_03.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_03.jpg)http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_04.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_04.jpg)

EK Bore size: 10.06mm inlet, 10.10mm thread outlet
http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_05.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_05.jpg)http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_06.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_06.jpg)

BP Bore size: 11.85mm inlet, 11.92mm thread outlet
http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_08.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_08.jpg)http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/480_G38_07.jpg (http://www.skinnee-industries.com/XS/G38/1600_G38_07.jpg)

The BP's offer nearly 2mm bore diameter advantage over the EK's. Yet the thread diameter is 0.9mm greater on the EK. I experienced the same loose feeling that _G_ described when I compared both screwing into a TC rad. The one thing I noticed was how the BP really firmed up and felt well seated once the o-ring made contact and started to grip.

If you'd like any further measurements just say so. Sorry for the poor lighting on the pics, I'm working on the lighting situation...but I might be able to get a much better photographer to help me out with future photos (cough, BlueAqua, cough).
zanzabar
10-05-2008, 07:30 PM
i have the EK g3/8th top and the BP fittings were snug in there even before the o-ring got to the side/top of the top
skinnee
10-05-2008, 07:35 PM
I have 6 of the BP G3/8...some are more loose than others, but none of them are as snug from the start of screwing them in as the EK's.
BlueAqua
10-05-2008, 08:38 PM
That is a really nice caliper Skinnee. So which fitting do you actually prefer? The BitsPower looks really thin.
NaeKuh
10-05-2008, 10:06 PM
so where does the tape fit in?

the oring does the sealing anyhow, not the thread.
skinnee
10-05-2008, 10:23 PM
That is a really nice caliper Skinnee. So which fitting do you actually prefer? The BitsPower looks really thin.

Harbor Freight for the calipers, grabbed them in a moment of weakness last year as I was looking for something completely different. Thats usually how my Harbor Freight trips go.

Aestheticly and bore size, the BP's. Sturdiness, the EK's. I wish we could have a mix of the two. I have both in my main rig presently, because I couldn't decide. With the EK's, the tubing (I used 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD) tends to be somewhat loose on the barb and clamps or zip ties are an absolute must. The BP's, tubing is a harder to get on and the fatter diameter of the fitting helps with the seal, zip ties or clamps still highly recommended.

They each have their pros and cons, I just wanted to let those interested know what I found/observed.

so where does the tape fit in?

Calipers were used...tale of the tape is a boxing term which covers the numbers (age, height, weight, reach) of the two opponents.

the oring does the sealing anyhow, not the thread.

You are correct, not debating that. What I observed though is a significant amount of play or wiggle with the BP until the o-ring grips the lip on the port. The EK does not have the wiggle at all.
Cptn Vortex
10-06-2008, 01:23 AM
Just picked up a pair of the BP, getting my PA120.3 tomorrow, I'll see how they fit. I have some EK's too, to compare.
Eddy_EK
10-06-2008, 01:28 AM
Hi!

We used 10mm inner hole diameter as we kept the same outer diameter if the fitting.
Since they have 12mm hole through the fitting means they have larger OD where the tube goes on.

The Diameter of the thread G3/8 could variate, but I think the BP fitting use the smallest thread size as possible.
Dont know why.
septim
10-06-2008, 04:18 AM
can you do 10mm entrance 10.5 to 11mm exit...
KaptCrunch
10-06-2008, 05:38 AM
Hi!
The Diameter of the thread G3/8 could variate, but I think the BP fitting use the smallest thread size as possible.
Dont know why.

for the most flow and less pressure drop, great on suction @ pumps with large head


skinnee would be BP return / EK push flows on the rad
skinnee
10-06-2008, 09:27 AM
Hi!

We used 10mm inner hole diameter as we kept the same outer diameter if the fitting.
Since they have 12mm hole through the fitting means they have larger OD where the tube goes on.

The Diameter of the thread G3/8 could variate, but I think the BP fitting use the smallest thread size as possible.
Dont know why.

Thanks Eddy! Your statement matches my observations/measurements. The EK fittings have a very tough and solid feel, they fit perfectly in the G3/8 TC rad ports.

Are there any plans to change/modify your fittings in the future?

skinnee would be BP return / EK push flows on the rad

I'm not following your statement/question, could you clarify?
KaptCrunch
10-06-2008, 01:26 PM
skinnee use the bp barb out of rad and ek barb into rad
skinnee
10-06-2008, 01:36 PM
skinnee use the bp barb out of rad and ek barb into rad

Ahh, gotcha!

I pump into the rad though, but either way I have no problems with either brand of fittings. I was just posting my observation/measurements from the couple of posts _G_ and I had going back and forth.
Navanod
10-06-2008, 04:45 PM
Lets put this into perspective...

I'm normally with BP on their fittings and for those looking for new fittings, this may be the way to go (just to be in the safe knowledge that you're getting max flow)

however, IMHO there's almost negligible improvements in having 2mm extra on an already low restriction rad with a G3/8 barb in an otherwise G1/4 loop.
As for the looseness, same feeling with putting BP G1/4 fittings on Swiftech rads, but its all good once the O-ring bites
skinnee
10-06-2008, 08:17 PM
Can I just quote the line in your sig? :rofl:

Seriously though, thank you for weighing in and providing your experiences with the fittings. Helps to know that I'm not completely crazy. :up:
Pellepel
10-06-2008, 09:09 PM
Good work Skinnee :up:
zanzabar
10-08-2008, 12:42 AM
after i said that my BP fittings worked great the one of the top of my ek pump top, i had to pull the oring off a spare (2 orrings ont eh barb) and it stoped. im hoping that petras has EK that i can get tomorrow
evilsponge
10-08-2008, 04:16 AM
LOL I get sucked into stuff at Harbor all the time send way more than I intended

-sponge