Is there interest?

[Naeleros]

I'm kinda putting forth an impromptu survey. This is fueled by some discussions that I am having with the 'Big Dogs' at the Fortune 500 company that I work for. At the particular facility that I work for.. we make fluid connectors. These are not available thru retail channels. They are high end couplers intended for major OEMs. (I apologize for all the secrecy.. I have no permission to drop names.)

Anyway, I have used a couple of our stainless steel non-spill couplers on my watercooler and am totally hooked. When I say 'non-spill' I hope you can see the implications. It doesn't lose a drop on connect OR disconnect. Of course, these are stainless steel and are hideously expensive.

I am trying to convince the 'powers-that-be' to provide similar couplers (maybe aluminum or just a cheaper design in general) to the retail public. Specifically to retail channels that would be available to overclockers/water-coolers.

Are you guys interested? Has anyone ever tried to estimate how large the overclocking crowd is? I know that is an irregular question but, this is a very large corporation not accustomed to dealing with tiny orders (sub 1000pcs).

Any thoughts are welcome. I am just a low low speck on the totem pole at this corporation so, I am looking for angles to increase awareness of the higher guys.

James

p.s. If you're having trouble imagining what you would use the couplers for... one application is for truly disconnectable devices. Not losing water.. etc.. its pretty nice!

p.p.s. I am not permitted (at this time) to post pictures of my watercooler on the 'net. I will ask if I can show pictures of the couplers (lots of proprietary stuff with these size of companies).

[Naeleros]

I should mention.. these aren't all that similar to the plastic couplers that your are probably familiar with. They are both couplers but, the plastic ones are really not well suited to watercooling use unless you want to bleed your system everytime that you connect/disconnect. Also, being made out of plastic they are not suited for any kind of heavy duty mounting (lots of options here). As well, the particular couplers that I have used are rated for 5000psi which isn't necessary for most people.. but.. for those with very exotic coolers (buried outside your house with pressure pumps, etc) it could open up more doors.

I'm not knocking the plastic couplers. They are certainly affordable. I just am trying to find a way to bring a whole new level of quality couplers to the watercooling market. I really think that a true disconnect on a watercooler will allow for some real innovation (with regard to style and function) in our hobby area.

James

[outhouse]

well there are 7000 people here at this website alone all of the other overclocking websites, i'm sure a few people would like fancy connections but cost would be the deciding factor as most of us could easily spend extra cash on a variety of upgrades.

[Naeleros]

Yeah.. I realize that cost would be a major factor. Although, I do believe that there are a rare few who would have the means and desire to fork out for a sweeet stainless steel coupler.

But, that is part of my task. To not only convince the corpers to market their product lines to overclockers.. but, also to produce a more affordable part that would be more affordable. Obviously, if they had a specific product targetted at the masses and a means of delivery.. they could also offer the more expensive line right alongside.

I do appreciate the info about 7000 members at this site. That is certainly info that I can take to them. I think if I could convince them of 500-1000 sales / year.. they might be interested. I know it wouldn't be much money in it for them.. but, it would certainly make our company known to the general public.

My approach at this point is that brand name awareness could affect our business in other segments. Even if we broke even or even lost money in this market.. we could come out ahead if we were recognized for product excellence. *shrug* The number of sales is more about how many people would get their hands on the products rather than how much money the company would make from direct sales (probably very little).

If anyone has experience with dealing with upper management types in big companies.. and has a different suggestion for getting their attention.. feel to fill me in :).

James

[Patchmaster]

You might have better luck trying to sell the execs on going after the aquarium market. For years I ran a large aquarium using those (not so) cheap plastic disconnects and I always hated it when it was time to clean the filter. It's a nasty job to start with, but those disconnects never wanted to work right and I always ended up with water on the floor. I'm not sure what my price limit would have been, but I know I'd have paid two or three times what those plastic things cost if I could get disconnects that didn't leak and didn't spill water on the floor when disconnected.

There are also a lot of people in the aquarium hobby with tons of money. One of the big draws of overclocking is getting something for nothing. In other words, and no offense to anyone, I suspect there aren't many overclockers who could accurately be described as big spenders. Clearly there are exceptions, and maybe the water cooling crowd is filled with them, but I imagine the list of tropical fish keepers with lots and lots of disposable income is a lot longer than the list of water cooling overclockers with lots of disposable income.

Just so it isn't lost, my point here is strictly about success of pitching this idea to your management. Sell the disconnects to the aquarium market and overclockers can still benefit. I mean, how successful do you think Eheim would be if they only marketed to overclockers?

[Naeleros]

Very good point. I guess.. my main objective was to make this product available to overclockers.. but, its quite possible that they wouldn't be interested.

For myself, I've been very happy with it. My watercooler is a separate unit from my PC which makes it more efficient and more portable. It also allows for more creativity, imo.

But, I got the couplers for free, of course. I don't know for sure.. but, I would imagine that 'cheap' versions of these disconnects would cost 3x or 4x as much as the plastic ones (made from aluminum with low pressure ratings). I think that the ones I currently have are 8-10x as much. Definitely not for the faint of heart :)

But, I will point out the aquarium market as a group that they might be able to gain some brand awareness with. Thanks!

James

[Ridenow]

If they are truly no-leak on disconnect I would buy 2 of them and be willing to pay about $25 each.

Between the aquarium market, the computer market, fuel transfer market(farmers) and a few others I would think there would be enough sales to make them profitable.

[Rob Cork]

I'm assuming these are similar to the quick-disconnect fittings used in the DH3 project at Procooling (http://ww.procooling.com) - I wanted to get some for my watercooling project but couldn't find any anywhere. I'm in the UK, so I doubt I'd be buying from your compnay, but if it were in the UK I'd be interested and I'm sure there's plenty like me in the US who would buy some.

[Naeleros]

$25 is about the range of product that I think we should offer to retail. That is many times less expensive than the prototype ones that I am using now.. but, I think it would be possible to make them in that range.

As for the UK... we're a worldwide company (I think we own over 75 facilities in Europe alone) so, shipping overseas wouldn't be a problem AFAIK. Of course, none of the fluid connectors group is in Europe (again.. AFAIK) so, maybe I am wrong there.

Maybe the best approach would be to convince the suits that we should send out some of the existing models to places like ProCooling that are central testers for watercooling. I'll try and bring that suggestion to them this week.

James

[William]

I would love to have them as it would be something that I would consider a must have when I make the hop to water cooling.

[Naeleros]

Originally posted by Ridenow
If they are truly no-leak on disconnect I would buy 2 of them and be willing to pay about $25 each.

Between the aquarium market, the computer market, fuel transfer market(farmers) and a few others I would think there would be enough sales to make them profitable.

I just reread your post...

These couplers are already successful. They are definitely profitable. We have an entire group dedicated to fluid connectors (with a sub division dealing with quick couplers). These particular connectors are part of our flagship product line. They are already in use by some of the largest companies in the world. Its just not something you read about.

Example... Did you know that supercomputers are liquid cooled? I'm sure you did... Do you think they manually disconnect the hoses from hose barbs each time they need to flush? (heh.. that's funny to imagine, though )Think they would tolerate leakage from a connector disconnecting or connecting?

Are connectors are used pretty much anywhere there's a need for top quality. I know that sounds like a sales pitch.. but.. that's the only way I can describe it. The reason that most people don't know about them.. is because they wouldn't be willing to pay the premium for their garden hose. However.. its reassuring to know that your hospital pays it.

James

[Naeleros]

Originally posted by William
I would love to have them as it would be something that I would consider a must have when I make the hop to water cooling.

That surprises me... As much as you know about it (I learned quite a bit about cooling/watercooling from reading your posts), I had thought you were already watercooled. You just read too much! heh

James

[William]

Originally posted by Naeleros


That surprises me... As much as you know about it (I learned quite a bit about cooling/watercooling from reading your posts), I had thought you were already watercooled. You just read too much! heh

James

exactly, I have done it on another computer, but mine (see sig) are air cooled. I have some ideas, but most are crazy. Those things you are talking about would open up some options though.

[Daniel ~]

Given the number of waterblock, Radiator and pump manufactures suitable for O/Cing I think you could find a market.

[Crash893]

all i know is i wont buy JACK till i see one in a review or something like that.

i dont see why they have to be stainless any sort of metal could do your not working with high psi here.

[Ridenow]

I bet the guys at Danger Den would love to have a few.

[William]

Originally posted by crash893
all i know is i wont buy JACK till i see one in a review or something like that.

i dont see why they have to be stainless any sort of metal could do your not working with high psi here.


on that note, I would LOVE to review some if they go to market.

[Naeleros]

I thought I'd post an image here. I don't have any real good shots.. but, I'll talk at the powers that be tomorrow and make sure that I can post some 'action' photos. The picture below is pretty similar to what you could see on our website, etc.. so, I don't think it will be a prob.

James

[Naeleros]

I accidentally posted this to a different thread earlier.. wasn't watching what I was doing...

I got permission to talk more or less freely about our company and products today. We are Parker Hannifin (usually just known as Parker) and I specifically work in Quick Coupling Division which is a segment of the Fluid Connectors Group (www.parker.com).

Here is a picture of one of our anodized aluminum flush face non-spill couplers. I'll be working to try and establish supply with a dealer that can be easily accessible to the watercooling crowd if there's interest. For now, I think you might find dealers that cater to agriculture and industrial needs at the website (not really sure). I'll also be sending a pair of couplers to a watercooling website to be evaluated soon. I really think you guys are gonna love these

James

p.s. There's really no financial incentive in this for me. I am just your average hourly paid Joe. My job exists totally independent of the few sales that this might generate. But, I love this hobby and the couplers have really improved on what I could do with my cooler.