1/2" Fittings... which type are best?

Hi,

I'm going with 1/2" fittings on my rig but 7/16" tubing.

In general, are push on fittings better (I'm sure that's not an option in my case with odd size tubing), barbs (like on the swifttech blocks), or something else?

What about clamps. I would rather be safe than sorry even though the 7/16" over 1/2" is tight... What clamps are easiest to work with, attractive, and do a good job?

Finally, what about elbows? Do they really restrict flow? I may need a couple due to the way I'm mounting my rads.

I need the following:
- 1/2" ID fittings for the DDC Ultra pump with G1/4 taps
- 1/2" ID fittings for my Black Ice GT rads with G1/4 taps... I might need an elbow or two here instead of straight fittings depending on my mounting situation.
- Some kind of T to mount a thermal probe in the water line... ideally a G1/4 tapped T so I can use the same fittings on it as well as a thermal probe with G1/4 male threads.
- I'm also using the Innovatek flow meter which has G1/4 male threads so I need a F G1/4 to 1/2" ID fitting

I'll be using Swifttech water blocks so black PVC type barbs like what they use might be the best for consistency.

Any thoughts from the experienced peeps in the crowd would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Barbs and worm drive clamps are as good as it gets.

Edit: Oh come on now we've got the inline advertisments?

the 1/2" barbs from ek waterblocks really are the best and the cost is great too. check em out

I have a mixture of barbs in my system (DD "hi-flo", DD "perfect seal" and EK's) and can't say I have a preference for any one in specific.
As long as it doesn't leak it qualifies as a "good" barb to me.

virtualrain said:

Finally, what about elbows? Do they really restrict flow? I may need a couple due to the way I'm mounting my rads.

Click to expand...

You gotta do what you gotta do.
If an elbow makes for a significant improvement in tube routing, then use it.
I finally broke down and incorporated two into my loop- made the routing much more elegant with no measurable impact on temps.

The danger Den Perfect seals are where the moeny's at! Plastic hose clamps are kinda tough to fit though, but the seal is much better than with high flow.

Ideally, you want the following:

1) Single, tapered, slightly oversized barb with a staight barb shaft for clamping. Multiple barb fittings tend to be more difficult to clamp effectively and more prone to leaks. The larger the inside diameter of the end of the barb, the less restriction.
2) Durable, non-conflicting material. Nylon, glass filled nylon, polypropylene, HDPE, Kynar, nickel plated brass, brass and copper. Plastic-based fittings are less durable, but there is no chance of any potential anodic mismatch. You'll have a hard time finding fittings in any other material I haven't listed, though.
3) Anti-twist dimple on the barb shaft. Common on some plastic-based fittings that prevents the tubing from twisting when the clamp is tightened.
4) O-ring seal. Many fittings can be sealed with o-rings which you may need to buy seperately.