While I have been a barb and clamp fan for some time now, water cooling has evolved into building artwork just as much as it is for high performance cooling. Several variations of compression fittings have hit the market over the last few years and I’ve tinkered with many of them. One complaint I have personally had with many of the compression fittings out there is the “Tool-less” concept. Many of the fittings out there are intended to be hand or finger tightened, but unfortunately this does often result in partial loss of your valuable fragging fingertips. One way to mitigate for the lack of tool compatibility is to use a cloth or other protective wrap and use something like vise grips or channel locks as a last resort attempt at converting the “tool-less” knurled compression ring into something you can wrench on. My other complaint with some compression fittings I’ve used is their lack of internal barb which has led me down the path of leaks as the tubing warmed up and began to slip out of the fitting. Regardless of the troubles I have personally had, there is no denying that compression fittings look more clean and finished that a regular barb and clamp. BoxGods being a professional PC mod enthusiast and builder set out to break new ground in the area of compression fittings that would not only improve many of the user problems with existing fittings, but also to jazz up the mundane knurled look via the “Free Center” compression fitting which I’m looking at here.
A special thanks to BoxGods (Gene) for sending me these samples. First he sent me a set of black chrome I spent extensive time using, and then these limited edition copper flavor to compliment my future copper build.
FrozenCPU Monsoon – PPCS Monsoon
SPECS
Tired of big ugly wrench flats on your compression fittings or tearing up your finger tips on knurling? Then Monsoon’s sexy new Free Center Compression Fittings are just what you’re looking for. The new patent pending Free Center Wrench design used to tighten the barb and the compression ring is perfect for tight spaces because it puts the wrench above the fitting plane giving you more room to maneuver than a conventional wrench. The small wrench notches on the compression ring are also a lot less noticeable than big ugly wrench flats or knurling on the side of a fitting which is normally the most visible portion when installed.
The patent pending windows on the compression ring reduce weight and add some BLING to your rig by allowing the tube to show through and, in a pinch, provide extra grip if you need to use your fingers. The barb base also features a knurled surface to help the barb grip when installed.
Measurements:
Outer Diameter (A): 3/4″
Wall Thickness (B): 1/8″
Inner Diameter (C): 1/2″
- Barb and compression ring machined entirely from brass.
- The Free Center Wrench works on the barb and the compression ring for hassle free installation without tearing up your fingers. Don’t be a tool!
- Although we highly recommend using the Free Center Wrench, the barb can also be tightened with any coin 1.6mm thick and approximately 25mm in diameter—about the size of a US Quarter, and the machined windows on the compression ring can also be used to provide grip for finger tightening.
- Smaller visually and physically to make mounting in tight locations like CPU blocks easier. Outside diameter is just 24.4mm (.96 inches) and total height is just 16mm (.63 inches).
- Knurled base on the barb to increase its grab when installed.
- Available in 8 colors and finishes.
- Includes a black O ring AND a color matched UV O ring—your choice. (Chrome, Matte Black, and Black Chrome get a second black O ring.
- Available in singles or in money saving SIX PACKS that also include a free Free Center Wrench!
Tubing Size: 1/2″ Inner diameter
3/4″ Outer DiameterIncluded: Six Barbs with radial cut notch for use with a Free Center Wrench or a coin.
Six Compression rings with Patent Pending Side Windows and Free Center Wrench Notches.
Six black 2.4mm thick high quality silicone G1/4 BSPP O rings.
Six color matched UV 2.4mm thick high quality G1/4 BSPP O rings. (Additional O rings or different colors can be purchased separately in 10 packs).
One Free Center Compression Fitting Wrench.
martinsliquidlab.wordpress.com 
Love the coopper finish
That copper compression fitting looks sweet!!! However, I was wondering, if you’re an old school guy, Martin, might want to check out DD’s Perfect Seal’s. I love how tubing *slip* onto them and you don’t even need a tubing clamp. Well you could use a tubing clamp but getting one on would just take the breath out of you. 😛
I ordered a pair of those Monsoon light pods that are supposed to light up your tubing with an LED fitted on a T fitting. I just bought a pair to see if they would look good in my next build with light swords across the inside of the case. I was disappointed with how weak those LEDs are. Barely visible in the day and the tube just doesnt get lit beyond 6 inch. Get the fittings if you like them, but dont waste your money on the light pods.
I tried sanding the tube and adding food colorant to the water and nothing really gave a satisfying effect. Btw, the food color was just for bench testing, dont put that in your loop.
The Light ports are accent lighting…not really intended to light 2 feet of tube, or be blindingly bright in the day light. More for LAN or a dim/dark environment. Clear tube also of course. I think it depends more on a persons expectations…if you expect a single LED to light your entire case your not going to be happy. If your seeing it as accent light to add to other elements them you might.
They were reviewed at:
http://www.xtremerigs.net/reviews/water-cooling/monsoon-free-fittings/monsoon-light-port/
[…] copper versions were recently reviewed here to summarize: "While I may be an old-school barb and clamp user, and I have had some issues […]
I like the Monsoon compression fittings but i hafta say they need to work on their presentation and show actual pictures of their products rather then Photoshopped pics.
i have used their blue and green fittings and for the most part they are as described however their orange and their red colors look nothing like their represented pictured counterparts, my recently received red parts look like a dark pink and brick or burnt orangish/redish what looks like a rubberized paint its foggy in places and thin where ever there is a ridge so these are not a chemical dipped or anodized finish but rather a surface treatment like paint.
their orange looks more like a washed out copper then an actual orange this is a sad representation of their color choices and display pics , if it weren’t for an actual need of these components i would send them back for a full refund but i am on a dead line and need to get my system up so i can finish my customers builds. and i might just bead blast them to get them to a uniformed color and plastic dip them just so i have something that doesn’t look hack
in the future i will be purchasing Bitspower blood red fittings instead as they are a true red and not pink and brick orange like monsoons fittings are and actually look good as opposed to these fittings
if you think i am being harsh its for good reason when you order $200 in fittings there should be some consistency in these fittings and if i were to post up pictures of my build i could show actual colors with all of them lined up next to each other and you could see for yourself how different they are between the 40+ fittings i have 10 per system i hafta color match as closely as possible to get a close build and I’m not too picky as others are
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information.
I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.