How To Use John Guest Fittings | Caravan Plumbing

1. John Guest Speedfit Overview

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.

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2. Classic Speedfit and WaterMark Twist & Lock

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.

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.

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3. 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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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4. Collet Covers and Collet Clips:

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

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4. 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.

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5. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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