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How To Use John Guest Fittings | Caravan Plumbing

Article by Robert Smith - Updated 2024 - Caravans Plus
Read Time: 6 mins

The John Guest Speedfit System have been a staple in the caravan industry for many years. Their reputation for being quick and easy to install, repair, and modify has made them a favorite among both industry professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. Designed as a simple plug-and-play system, the John Guest range of tubing and fittings connect seamlessly in seconds, without the need for tools, ensuring a secure and watertight seal. Whether you're making adjustments or expanding your setup, these fittings can be effortlessly removed and reinstalled.

The extensive range of fittings includes Pipe-to-Pipe Fittings and Pipe-to-Thread Fittings with joiners, dividers, valves, and adapters, offering nearly limitless possibilities for customisation. Additionally, there's a selection of stem fittings that can be directly inserted into push-on fittings, allowing for the creation of unique integral fittings for custom setups.


How to Use John Guest Speedfit

Our website now features two distinct lines of John Guest Fittings: the Classic John Guest Speedfit range, identifiable by their black or grey color, and the secondary John Guest Twist & Lock WaterMarked range, distinguished by their white colour. The introduction of the WaterMarked range was prompted by changes in Victorian plumbing legislation back in 2017, mandating the use of WaterMark certified products on hot water lines in all new caravans and motorhomes manufactured within Victoria. The rest of Australia has not adopted the standard and the original Speedfit range has remained the dominant style.

In terms of piping the Classic John Guest Speedfit Pipe is a semi-rigid LLDPE Tubing. Its flexibility coupled with firmness makes it an ideal choice for caravan and motorhome installations. Capable of withstanding hot water temperatures up to 65 degrees, this pipe can bend to a 65mm diameter without kinking. We offer this pipe in a variety of colors - red, blue, and black - solely for ease of identifying different lines. On the other hand, the John Guest WaterMark Twist & Lock Pipe is a White BPEX. This multilayer pipe boasts superior strength, enabling it to handle water temperatures of up to 100 degrees. However, its increased strength comes at the expense of flexibility, resulting in a minimum bend radius of 120mm. This larger size can pose challenges during installation in confined spaces such as caravans and RVs, which is why the Classic Speedfit Pipe remains the preferred choice.

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Given the widespread use of John Guest Speedfit Systems across various industries, there's a vast array of sizes available. In the Australian RV market, the most common sizes are 12mm and 15mm, with 12mm being the preferred option. Although we offer both sizes, the majority of our range caters to the 12mm size.

The WaterMark Twist and Lock Fittings are compatible with both BPEX and Classic Speedfit Pipes, offering versatility in installation. This feature is particularly noteworthy due to the inclusion of brass BSP adapters in the WaterMarked range. These fittings are specifically designed to seamlessly connect to Hot Water Systems regardless of your existing BPEX or Classic Speedfit system.

While we provide a comprehensive range of WaterMark fittings, we do not offer the tubing due to logistical constraints.


How to Use John Guest Speedfit

To make a connection, the pipe is simply pushed in by hand; the unique patented John Guest collet locking system then holds the pipe firmly in place without deforming it or restricting flow. The Collet (gripper) has stainless steel teeth which hold the pipe firmly in position, while the O-Ring provides a permanent leakproof seal.

How to Use John Guest Speedfit

AusCamping - Caravan Plumbing | How To Use John Guest Fittings

Using John Guest Speedfit fittings is straightforward and efficient. Follow these steps to make a secure connection:


1. Prepare the Pipe:

  • Ensure that the pipe is free of any score marks.
  • Cut the pipe squarely using recommended tools such as JG Pipe Cutters.
  • Remove any burrs or sharp edges to prevent damage to the O-Ring seal.

    How to Use John Guest Speedfits


    2. Insert the Pipe:

  • When connecting Speedfit Pipe, use a Speedfit Pipe Insert for optimal results.
  • Apply a twisting motion while inserting the pipe into the fitting.
  • Push the pipe firmly into the fitting until it reaches the pipe stop; ie. past both the collet and the O-Ring.

    How to Use John Guest Speedfit

    3. Check for Secure Connection:

  • After inserting the pipe, pull on it gently to ensure it is securely held by the fitting.
  • Test the system before actual use to confirm the integrity of the connection and the absence of leaks.

    How to Use John Guest Speedfit


    4. Collet Covers and Collet Clips:

  • Use a collet cover or collet clip to provide added security against pipe accidental disconnection.

    How to Use John Guest Speedfit


    To Disconnect

    1. Depressurise the System:

  • Before attempting to disconnect, ensure that the system is depressurised to prevent any unexpected release of pressure.

    2. Push in the Collet:

  • Locate the collet on the fitting.
  • Push the collet square against the fitting, applying even pressure.

    3. Remove the Pipe:

  • While holding the collet in the depressed position, gently pull the pipe away from the fitting.
  • The pipe should slide out smoothly once the collet is properly engaged.

    How to Use John Guest Speedfit

    How to Use John Guest WaterMark Speedfit Twist & Lock

    Speedfit Twist and Lock fittings are easy to use, they feature a unique grip-then-seal construction, comprising a collet with stainless steel teeth to grip the pipe and an O-Ring to ensure a permanent leakproof seal. The WaterMark Speedfit pipe has markings to help you cut it correctly, and these markings line up with the fitting to show you when it's fully inserted for a proper connection.

    John Guest WaterMark Speedfit


    1. Prepare the Pipe:

  • Ensure the pipe is free of any score marks and cut it squarely using JG Pipe Cutters.
  • Remove any burrs or sharp edges to avoid damaging the O-Ring seal.
  • When connecting Speedfit Pipe, always use a Speedfit Pipe Insert. Apply a twisting motion during insertion.

    John Guest WaterMark Speedfit


    2. Insert the Pipe:

  • Confirm that the fitting is in the 'unlocked' position, indicated by a small gap between the screwcap and the body flange.
  • Push the pipe fully into the fitting until it reaches the pipe stop, ensuring a secure connection; ie. past both the collet and the O-Ring.
  • Twist the screwcap until it touches the body flange to further enhance the O-Ring seal around the pipe and lock it into position.

    John Guest WaterMark Speedfit

    John Guest WaterMark Speedfit


    3. Check for Secure Connection:

  • After inserting the pipe, pull on it gently to ensure it is securely held by the fitting.
  • Test the system before actual use to confirm the integrity of the connection and the absence of leaks.

    John Guest WaterMark Speedfit


    4. Using Collet Clips:

  • if you are not using collet clips, ensure that the screwcaps are in the locked position.
  • Collet clips, available in red or blue, provide colour coding for pipes on Twist & Lock fittings. Note that they are not designed to prevent accidental release but should be fitted when the fitting is in the locked position for added identification.

    John Guest WaterMark Speedfit


    Was this helpful?

  • 23 Comments

    • comment-avatar

      Byron

      Very helpful

    • comment-avatar

      David

      quite helpful

    • comment-avatar

      Terry

      The push in collet has broken on my fitting and I am having difficulty taking out the poly pipe. Any thoughts how I can rectify this. Thanks Terry

    • comment-avatar

      Richard

      Buy a new fitting, then cut the pipe as close as possible to the broken fitting. Clean up the pipe ends and insert the new fitting, by pushing the pipe in!

    • comment-avatar

      Bob

      I have a River caravan that has chinese water pipes both hot and cold. I note that your comments regarding inserts are only required for hot water pipes. Perhaps you may like to add for those that have unknowingly bought a caravan with cheap chinese pipes that inserts are required for both hot and cold. I have had 1 hot and 3 cold water pipes "let go " of the connectors. I found that none had inserts and that all my pipes have to be taken off and replaced with Guest piping and inserts. A warning to your customers that owners of newer caravans may face the same problem. Also the cheap pipes will actually split over time. Regards Bob

    • comment-avatar

      Barry

      So does the red and blue John Guest pipe after around 10 years. Cracks at the slightest touch. I am having that dilemma now. Also their bsp adapters crack around the base of the thread. I am now carrying spare pipe and fittings.

    • comment-avatar

      Dave

      very helpful

    • comment-avatar

      Kevin

      I put inserts in both as I have had both hot and cold water pipes blow out on me.

    • comment-avatar

      Andy

      Bloody Oath, I thought I had to buy new ones to fault find , but I can reuse. Cheers.

    • comment-avatar

      Rodney

      The inserts have expanded the pipe so the that it wont fit into the coupling I am pushing as hard as I can and wont budge, If I take out the Colette can I file it thinner. Any other ideas

    • comment-avatar

      Don

      What would we do without Caravansplus. Such good info.

    • comment-avatar

      Peter

      I have used this system with great success on my motor home conversion, however, when used at mains pressure they leak quite badly. Comments please.

    • comment-avatar

      Alex

      PRESSURE LIMITING VALVE NEEDED.. 350Kpa.

    • comment-avatar

      Frank

      Great system so easy to use

    • comment-avatar

      Craig

      Thank you very helpful I wasn’t quite sure how to fit the hot water sleeve.

    • comment-avatar

      Don

      best prices and service i have got any where with such quick delivery

    • comment-avatar

      Pete

      Hi , Simple safe way to remove red collet with out using something sharp and it flying off?

    • comment-avatar

      Pete

      Should have called it red locking clip ! Sorry

    • comment-avatar

      Steve - CaravansPlus

      Good question. The locking clips can be removed with the tool shown here: https://www.caravansplus.com.au/iclt-2-iclt2-john-guest-collet-locking-tool-p-14537.html I will link the products together to help the next person.

    • comment-avatar

      Lyle

      Please tell whether the rubber ring in the hot / cold connector on the truma hot water unit is placed before or after the split spacer, ie steel hot water pipe with lock ring placed on first "o"ring then split spacer then fitting or lock ring split spacer then "o" ring. Have problems stopping an on going leak in this area

    • comment-avatar

      Howard

      as an added instruction i find a piece of medium sand paper twisted over the freshly cut pipe end takes the sharp edge off and enables an easier fit into the fitting

    • comment-avatar

      Howard

      I have found,that some of the new 12mm pipe when cut squashes the pipe out of shape,also some 12mm pipe is slightly smaller and leaks when pushed into old fittings,beware of JG knock off piping...

    • comment-avatar

      Robert

      I have ruined 2 JG fittings screwing them into the outlet side of a new PLV. They leak around the thread (very, very slow drip) and when I undo them the JG fitting male thread looks like is "cut" smaller by the PLV female thread. I used plumbers tape both times. What am I doing wrong?

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