What Fittings are safer ?

usoldier · 10-28-2009, 06:58 AM

Hi all , Iam currently using the barbs in the picture below now iam about to get a New waterblock for the 5870 and been looking at : Compression fittings from Coolance how mutch more safe are the compression fittings comparing to the barbs ? Is it worthwile to change all my watercooling setup barbs to it just for the sake of safety?

Thanks in advance.

Weevil · 10-28-2009, 07:01 AM

They can both be safe, I prefer to use 7/16 tubing on BP 1/2 fatboy silver barbs, they're a mother to get on, but they don't require clamps, and I think they look clean.

Otter · 10-28-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usoldier

Is it worthwile to change all my watercooling setup barbs to it just for the sake of safety?

No. If you use steel worm-drive hose clamps that fit, and you make sure they're tight, it's extremely unlikely that they'll leak.

BTW, I would not use 7/16" tubing without clamps no matter how hard it is to get the tubing on the barbs. I've seen a few posts over the years from people who did that and had the tubing pop right off while the pump was running.

millertime359 · 10-28-2009, 07:50 AM

Comp fittings are not more secure than a barb is. They are more for show as the look cleaner than a worm drive clamp on a barb.

If you want a secure fitting, get 7/16" ID tube, and an fatboy 1/2 barb like this. Then use a ziptie, or some sort of hose clamp and you won't have to worry about that coming off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

BTW, I would not use 7/16" tubing without clamps no matter how hard it is to get the tubing on the barbs.

+1

usoldier · 10-28-2009, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the replys guys goin to save a few euros then , cheers for the help.

Waterlogged · 10-28-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

BTW, I would not use 7/16" tubing without clamps no matter how hard it is to get the tubing on the barbs. I've seen a few posts over the years from people who did that and had the tubing pop right off while the pump was running.

+1

It's just bad juju to even bring it up.

Many of those ppl also swore that it was safe because "they pulled on the tubing and it wouldn't budge". The problem with that method of "testing" is that the wrong force is being applied. Tubing acts like a Chinese finger puzzle when pulled. . .meaning it'll get smaller the harder you pull, so of course it won't budge when pulled. When a loop gets warm, it does build up a small amount of pressure, if the tubing is pliable enough, it will give way to that pressure and expand, thereby popping the tubing off the barb.

UNIXgod · 10-28-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterlogged

+1

It's just bad juju to even bring it up.

Many of those ppl also swore that it was safe because "they pulled on the tubing and it wouldn't budge". The problem with that method of "testing" is that the wrong force is being applied. Tubing acts like a Chinese finger puzzle when pulled. . .meaning it'll get smaller the harder you pull, so of course it won't budge when pulled. When a loop gets warm, it does build up a small amount of pressure, if the tubing is pliable enough, it will give way to that pressure and expand, thereby popping the tubing off the barb.

What where they tugging on those puppies while the system was on? or did it just come off on it's own?

Waterlogged · 10-28-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNIXgod

What where they tugging on those puppies while the system was on? or did it just come off on it's own?

No, they tugged on them before they filled the system. The tubes popped of at a later time.

Over time, as the loop heats up, so does the tubing, making it softer, thus easier to flex. With the added (albeit minor) pressure from the heated water, it's enough in some cases to pop the tubing off. The higher your water/air delta is, the easier this will happen.

cavfire · 10-28-2009, 10:09 AM

Vinyl tubing stretches too. Pull 7/16" tubing off a barb after the system has been in use for a while, and you'll see the tubing has expanded.

Weevil · 10-28-2009, 10:12 AM

My hoses are so tight that I have to use a knife to slice down the side to get them off, otherwise it would take and act of God to get them off. Mind you I would do use my method with the bards the OP pictued, I would only suggest using BP FATBOYS.

millertime359 · 10-28-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weevil

My hoses are so tight that I have to use a knife to slice down the side to get them off, otherwise it would take and act of God to get them off. Mind you I would do use my method with the bards the OP pictued, I would only suggest using BP FATBOYS.

Still, a ziptie would help to keep the tube popping from happening. I also don't think it would look that bad, especially with all the colored zipties out there.

Conumdrum · 10-28-2009, 10:36 AM

We still recommend clamps. Most of us can't handle a loss of a mobo, GPU, or PSU due to a leak. Thus we are very cautious to the point of Xtreme. Up to you, peeps do it, it's your stuff, not my stuff.

RoadconeTuning · 10-28-2009, 10:45 AM

ive just got 7/16" masterkleer over 1/2" BP Shining silvers and it hasnt been a problem at all. its been together since June.

millertime359 · 10-28-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadconeTuning

ive just got 7/16" masterkleer over 1/2" BP Shining silvers and it hasnt been a problem at all. its been together since June.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conumdrum

We still recommend clamps. Most of us can't handle a loss of a mobo, GPU, or PSU due to a leak. Thus we are very cautious to the point of Xtreme. Up to you, peeps do it, it's your stuff, not my stuff.

No one is saying you can't run clampless. We are just saying it isn't the safest way.

Waterlogged · 10-28-2009, 10:51 AM

Believe me when I say I've heard every "I'm good" story. Here is one such convert.

Before

After

Please note the dates on those posts, I could probably find closer dated posts if I dug around more but I think this is fine as is.

ChielScape · 10-28-2009, 11:10 AM

Compression fittings are the safest, no way around that.
but barbed fittings with metal worm-drive clamps come in a close second. just dont overtighten them, they will cut into the tubing. but do tighten them well enough.

DeanB · 10-28-2009, 11:49 AM

As RMA manager I have never seen a leak because the fitting was a barb or compression fitting. Leaks are nearly always between the fitting and the block due to improper installation.

creidiki · 10-28-2009, 01:05 PM

Tbh the only place where I've ever *needed* worm-drive clamps is on the outlet side of my RD-30 - because otherwise even with the the fittings large than the tube, it'll leak like a firehose. Most other places I just use zipties.

BTW, a warning to the wise: if you tighten worm-drive clamps too much, it'll eat your tubing apart, as anyone who'se ever worked on old bikes can attest.

NaeKuh · 10-28-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weevil

They can both be safe, I prefer to use 7/16 tubing on BP 1/2 fatboy silver barbs, they're a mother to get on, but they don't require clamps, and I think they look clean.

i like koolance clamps...

Zipties are cool too with the proper tubing and barbs. :P

Weevil · 10-28-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterlogged

Believe me when I say I've heard every "I'm good" story. Here is one such convert.

Before

After

Please note the dates on those posts, I could probably find closer dated posts if I dug around more but I think this is fine as is.

The mistake he made was using a heat gun to put them on, a heat gun will permanently deform the tube and make it stay that way. I wet the inside of the tube with a little distilled water and push like heck until they start going on. This is what I prefer, I think it looks cleaner.

If putting a clamp on it makes someone feel better about it, more power to them.

Hsusy · 10-28-2009, 06:09 PM

Clamps are like insurance, you can certainly live without them, until something goes wrong...

Hsusy · 10-28-2009, 06:21 PM

And just like insurance, when nothing is going wrong you whinge about paying for it...

NaeKuh · 10-28-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hsusy

Clamps are like insurance, you can certainly live without them, until something goes wrong...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hsusy

And just like insurance, when nothing is going wrong you whinge about paying for it...

LOL replying to yourself...

Now ive seen everything...

Waterlogged · 10-28-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weevil

The mistake he made was using a heat gun to put them on, a heat gun will permanently deform the tube and make it stay that way. I wet the inside of the tube with a little distilled water and push like heck until they start going on. This is what I prefer, I think it looks cleaner.

If putting a clamp on it makes someone feel better about it, more power to them.

Where does it say he used a heat gun? I'm 95% certain he uses the boiled water method.

eponymous · 10-29-2009, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaeKuh

i like koolance clamps...

Zipties are cool too with the proper tubing and barbs. :P

+1

NaeKuh showed me these and I was sold straight away. I bought 30 from PPCS ans have never looked back.

Pros (vs wormdrive):

+ They're just as secure
+ They look great
+ They're much easier to install and take off
+ They save time and effort
+ You can never over-tighten them and thus damage your tubing/barbs

I personally didn't like the look of just the tubing and barbs on their own. I had to put the clamps on the finish them aesthetically.