What size barbs does the Big Mama and Ehiem pumps use?

[redleader]

Finally picked out my radiator. It will fit snuggly outside my case with the 120mm exhaust blowing through it.

But I need to know if it uses 3/8 or 1/2.

BTW, I already know the Eheim 1250 uses 5/8, but what about the 1048? I have 7 inch lift in my entire system so the 1250 seems like overkill, but I will use it if needed to get 1/2 inch barbs.

Thanks!

[GuyBFF]

Big Momma uses 3/8" fittings, but if you talk to the folks at www.overclock-watercool.com they will upgrade it to 1/2" fittings for $5.00.

The eheim 1250 uses 3/4" in 1/2" out. The 1048 uses 1/2" in 1/2" out. I'd get the 1250 and convert it (connectors are about a dollar). Most water coolers recommend at least a pump rated at 250gph as it has nothing to do with the gravity from the 7", but the restictions in your total system. Once the water makes it threw everyting it's hardly a fraction of the pumps rated flow.

Good Luck!

[redleader]

This was really meant to be a silentcool system more then a supercooler, so I was hoping I could get away with the 1048.

A question about it

From dangerden:

Eheim 1048

110/120Volt - 158 GPH

Works with 3/8" Silicon Hose

How is that, I had also heard it had 1/2 inch. Do they put a reducer on it or what? Could I just take it off?

Also one more thing about the Big Mama. As best I can tell Overclock-watercool doesn't actually sell it, their site links you to Case Erc. Do I just ask Cole at CaseEtc to for the 1/2 or do I have to order it from OCWC for $15 more then Cole's store?

Thanks for the help, now that I'm finally ready to order I feel a little overwhelmed!

[GuyBFF]

The Eheim is 1/2" but Danger Den says if you use there surgical tubing it can be stretched over the fittings. Eheim also does make conversion fittings (and I don't own an eheim but from pics it looks like there threaded like the Danner, so just hit the home depot).

I just traded my Danner Mag-Drive 250 for a 350 Mag-Drive and there wasn't any differance in the noise (it's virtually silent once you get the air out, and make sure it's on something so the case doesn't rattle). From what I hear the Eheim is even quiter and I can't even hear mine over some low speed fans (the 34db type sunons, nothing that loud). I don't think noise will be a problem with either.

[gonad]

Before popping the $$$ for the Big Mama you may want to check out the "Cooler Core" radiator @ D-Tek Customs

It appears to be about the same as the Big Mama, it's cheaper, and 1/2 fittings are standard. As a plus their customer service is spectacular.

GoNaD

[GuyBFF]

The only negative aspect of the cooler core is they chose to use a solder core.

I worked in an auto parts store for a long time and there are two types of heater cores. Ones that are soldered on the outer edges and tank edges only (if you look between fins you will see the copper color starts 1/8" in), and those where they totally submerge the core in solder. The submerged are totally coated in lead, so they don't transfer heat nearly as well and customers always complained about poor heating in winter if they bought the cheaper one.

I can't say for sure if you require the cooling the Big Momma gives, but I can assure you it is a better core (from selling hundreds of these types of cores).

[EX2C]

I own a cooler core radiator, and the core is not fully soldered. only the ends and it is awesome. How do you make assumptions on a pic? especially one that is painted? It is pretty much the same exact thing as the big momma without the big price and looks a hell of alot better in my computer. So don't be afraid to save a little money.

[GuyBFF]

It's weird they'd paint it then! Paint also has a negative effect on lowering the cooling ability of the core.
It does however look like solder on there web site due to the thick silver paint. I stand corrected.
On yours did they paint the outside (and the inner fins still look copper) or is it all painted? I make my own rads, but if these are good I'll recommend them... you're right they are priced good.

[EX2C]

The radiator actually has a light coat of paint on the fins (just to give them color) but the tanks are painted nicely I guess they figure a non finished heater core is as ugly as I think they are It is a great radiator, and i'm glad I found it. For the money its excellent! I do highly recommend it to save people a little money for other things I just know that it made a nice improvement over the previous setup (Aquacube) that i was running before.

[GuyBFF]

Hmmmm, Ok I definately hear you. I'd prefer they didn't paint it and just polished up the tanks a little (I like the shiny gold brass tanks), but to each his own.

As long as the core itself is only surface painted and hasn't been painted in the inner fins, your right, it is a better value than the Big Momma (and probably ties for the best in-case cooling solution!), plus I don't appreciate the price being higher for 1/2" when it doesn't cost them more to make (but hey, I soldered my own barbs in a auto parts heater core, saved even more, and has got a 5 year warranty)

Thanks for the correction!

[JimS]

Guy,did you notice any difference in cooling when you went from 250 to 350 on the Mag pump?

[GuyBFF]

I'm not sure if it was the pump or the big Momma style heater core. I changed both around same time and my room temperature fluctuates. I've came down what apears to be 5c from before.