[User-Review] Thermochill Compression Fitting Preview

[bentleya]

Thermochill Compression Fitting Preview
1/2” – 3/4” (19/13mm)​

Intro

Over the past few months the liquid cooling industry has been turned upside down with the development and progression of the compression fitting. Were we’ve seen a major overhaul in the way we connect our hoses to our cooling components and the way we use fittings.

The compression fitting has evolved dramatically since the days of 10/8mm tubing. With so many different options available from major companies like Koolance and Bitspower. While Bitspower has been the main driving force behind the developments, offering a wide range of colour styles, endless angles and adapting pieces. Has it become a victim of its own success, with cheaper fittings appearing every other month?

However it seems there is still room for new comers, EK being one of them offering a cheaper alternative to the Bitspower Matt Black Range. And now Thermochill well established in the radiator market and new comers the coolant and fitting market. The description of the fitting on the WCUK website states.

“This new Compression fitting is the smallest ½” – ¾” Nickel Plated Compression fitting on the market which also offers the highest flow.”

But can this fitting live up to this statement.

I would like to thank Thermochill for sending me over some compressions fittings to play with.​

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Design

Thermochill have designed the fitting with functionally in mind; however looks haven’t been swept to the side. Designed for 1/2” ID – 3/4” OD hose (1/8” walls).

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The compression fitting is made out of nickel plated brass and is built in two sections, the barb and the retention nut. The barb has a hexagonal base unlike most other conventional compressions which have circular griped base which allows the use of a spanner to tighten the fitting into a thread. The barb has a 9.5 mm flanged surface area for tubing 4mm of which is flanged.

The retention nut also features a hexagonal top which allows the user to tighten the nut with a spanner; the rest of the nut is grooved to allow the user to grip the nut for tightening.

Thermochill makes the fitting in both G1/4 and G3/8 inch threads, this allows for complete compatibility with components.


Dimensions

All the dimensions are measured using an electronic digital calliper.

G1/4 Fitting

Width: 24mm
Thread Length: 6mm
Height: 28mm
Internal Bore: 12.5mm
Thread Bore: 10mm​

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[FONT=Arial]
[INDENT][B]G3/8 Fitting[/B]
[INDENT]Width: 24mm
Thread Length: 6mm
Height: 28mm
Internal Bore: 12.5mm
Thread Bore: 12.5mm[/FONT]
[/INDENT][/INDENT]

[center][URL="http://www.flickr.com/bentelya"][IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4466100072_8eeebd41a0.jpg ​

Comparison

With the bold statement provided with the Thermochill Compression fitting, It is important to find out how true the statement is.

“This new Compression fitting is the smallest ½” – ¾” Nickel Plated Compression fitting on the market which also offers the highest flow.”

With a range of fittings from some of the leading manufactures of Compression fittings, Bitspower, Feser and Primochill. The test is comparing overall width and and internal bore at both the thread and the barb of the fitting. Each of the fittings are measured with the same Electronic Digital Callipers as in the dimensions section above.

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Bitspower (BP) Matt Black 1/2" - 3/4"

Width: 26mm
Height: 28.5mm
Internal Bore: 11.5mm
Thread Bore: 10mm​

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Feser (TFC) 1/2" - 3/4"

Width: 26mm
Height: 28.5mm
Internal Bore: 10mm
Thread Bore: 10mm​

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Primochill Black Plastic 1/2" - 3/4"

Width: 24mm
Height: 26mm
Internal Bore: 9.5mm
Thread Bore: 9.5mm​

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Cost

Price is a big aspect in the fitting market, with companies at each end of the scale. Thermochill have chosen to place themselves at the cheaper side. However don’t think of this as a bad thing, there are no issues with quality and no sign of machine marks on any of the fittings I received.

Priced at £3.56 a fitting on WCUK, the same price as a generic brand fitting but nearly half the price of a Bitspower Compression. And with the average price of a normal barb at £2 this seems to be one of the cheaper and best solutions to upgrading to compression fittings.

 

[VJoe2max]

Nice fittings for garden hoses

For this dimensions a look besides special watercooling-stuff brings many new possibilites .

It´s never the less a good review for people who may be interested in monster tubing!

 

[mochti01]

Nice preview. Would it be possible to post photos with colored tubes in order to see how it works? Perhaps red or blue?

 

[JojoTheMaster]

If they made them for 16/10mm hoses, i would buy ~50 pcs.

But 19/13 is way too big.

 

[mochti01]

19/13 is only for the big guys

 

[Madz]

Nice they look fine.

 

[mochti01]

Yes, very fine. When will they be availabe in germany?

 

[bentleya]

Nice fittings for garden hoses

For this dimensions a look besides special watercooling-stuff brings many new possibilites .

It´s never the less a good review for people who may be interested in monster tubing!

I do agree, i'm a fan of 3/8" - 5/8" as it's smaller and has thick walls. I'll be sending Thermochill an email tomorrow to see if they are doing any other sizes.

Yes, very fine. When will they be availabe in germany?

Again i will be sending them an email and i will ask then. I would assume Aquatuning will get them first as they are the distributor for Thermochill products.

 

[VJoe2max]

Ah - that are good news!
If Thermochill would produce smaller ones, they will be a very good addition to the long time used compression-fittings with type 2 screwcap - which look much better than type 1 screwcaps in my opinon. As these designs are only available for 5/16" and 7/16" and not for 3/8" and 5/8", Thermochill could close this gap, when they produce fittings for these dimensions.
Thank you for your efforts!