PCI Pass Through FAQ

What exactly is a PCI pass through?

The PCI pass through plate solves the problem of how to get tubing and fan wiring from the outside of the case to the inside or vice versa.

When mounting radiators became popular on the outside rear of computer cases it was often necessary to cut holes into the case to get the coolant tubing to the radiator and back to the pump and water block. The PCI pass through plate fixed this problem by using a normal PCI slot hole in the rear of the case.

Tubing and wiring from fans and other equipment can enter and exit the case without damage to the case.

While the pass through plate may seem to be a fairly straight forward idea the main draw back is it only works for small bore say 12mm OD tubing. This is not a limitation of the PCI pass through plate but rather a limitation set by the case manufacturer who limits the width of the PCI slot hole.

Okay so how do I fit 1/2" and 3/8" tubing?

If you are using larger tubing say 3/8" tube then you can use the two stainless steel tubes to pass through the narrower hole in the PCI slot and then go back to the 3/8" on the other side of the PCI slot. The picture below illustrates this.

Don't forget to use tubing clamps to stop the tubing from leaking.

Can I do that with the 1/2" tubing?

The answer is no. There is a need to make the stainless steel tubing diameter larger before and after passing through the PCI slot so that the 1/2" tubing will fit snugly around it and provide a leak proof seal. To do that we need to add an under story of softer tubing so that it will compress around the stainless steel tubing and form a seal. There is some construction required to do this.

Firstly, cut two pieces of the 9/16mm Eheim tubing which comes with the pass through kit. You will need enough to cover about half of the stainless steel tube. Slide one piece of the Eheim tubing about half of the way onto the stainless tube as illustrated below.

Then push the stainless tube into position through the PCI plate and slide on the other half of the Eheim tubing. It should now look like this.

Repeat this for the second stainless steel tube and you should have an assembly which looks like this.

It is now a simple matter to attach the 1/2" tubing over the Eheim tubing and clamp it into place with tubing clamps. The clamps will have to be screwed down firmly to make the initial seal.

Handy Hint

If both tubes are added to one side of the PCI pass through first then it is relatively straight forward to then attach the other side tubing when the plate has been secured to the PCI case slot.