Push fit connectors

Post by **cranky** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:50 am

Every now and then I see novices using or wanting information about using push fit connectors. Like this.

: SHARKBITE.JPG (13.73 KiB) Viewed 7133 times

At Home Depot they are called SharkBite, at other places they are called something else. These connectors contain synthetics that cannot be used with alcohol and even come with a warning that they contain materials known by the state of California to cause cancer. So don't use these.

Bob Loblaw · Post by **Bob Loblaw** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:58 am

Good info. I think a lot of the questions I've seen are about use of push-fit connectors for cooling. They're fine for that use.

Post by **cranky** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:06 am

That's true they are safe for water cooling lines but every now and then someone tries to or asks about using these fittings in a distillate line so I thought this would be a good item for what not to use.

MitchyBourbon · Post by **MitchyBourbon** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:23 am

I love em. Yes, I use them for my cooling lines, transfer lines ect. Never had a leak even after my wife ran one over. My fault, I know every time I put some in her stall it's gonna get run over. I hang a tennis ball from the ceiling so she knows not to go any farther or she be driving through my office.

SEMO · Post by **SEMO** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:02 pm

Everything in California is known to cause cancer especially the laws of the state of California! That not withstanding, it would appear that these devices would not withstand the alcohol exposure. They are made for use in high temp environments but like many plastics or synthetics they don't seem to be made of alcohol!

The Grand Pooh-Bah · Post by **The Grand Pooh-Bah** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:12 pm

Sharkbite fittings were listed in California as unsafe because they were made of brass. Brass plumbing fittings had a small amount of lead. The formulation of the brass has since been changed and the lead has been removed.

With sharkbite fittings, none of the plastic comes in contact with the liquid, if you remove the center plastic stiffener, that is there for PEX piping installations. It is not needed with copper installations.

There is a high temperature o-ring in the middle of the connection that seals the pipe. They are used in domestic hot & cold water as well as hot water heating systems with temperatures as high as 180 F on a regular basis without any failure.

Post by **Bigbob** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:36 pm

It's not the temperature ,it's the synthetic o-ring coming in contact with high proof alcohol.

Post by **cranky** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 4:39 am

The Grand Pooh-Bah wrote: There is a high temperature o-ring in the middle of the connection that seals the pipe. They are used in domestic hot & cold water as well as hot water heating systems with temperatures as high as 180 F on a regular basis without any failure.

This is why I put them under what not to use. Synthetics that are not intended for high temperature alcohol which are in contact with the vapor, not to mention still vapor often reaches temperatures in excess of 180F towards the end of a run.

trlabby · Post by **trlabby** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 2:13 pm

So I read the mixed reviews here on the push connectors. What else would someone recommend using other than these bass ones I could not find all-copper connectors at lowes.

Post by **rad14701** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 2:50 pm

trlabby wrote:So I read the mixed reviews here on the push connectors. What else would someone recommend using other than these bass ones I could not find all-copper connectors at lowes.

Push connectors as in hose barbs, garden hose quick disconnects, or pex style connectors...??? And are you referring to coolant line fittings or for connecting still components having vapor contact...???

trlabby · Post by **trlabby** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 3:07 pm

The picture this tread is about isn't for garden hose connections it's for 3/8" copper tubing running between the arm to the doubler and the doubler to the worm. So yes it must be able to withstand temperature and alcohol vapor

Post by **UnSub** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:33 am

Who uses these? I wanted to buy them to use a quick disconnects for cooling lines (because the market is sparse for 3/8"xBarb disconnect fittings.. Does anyone have personal experience with these or other quick disconnect fittings?

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Post by **pfshine** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:01 pm

trlabby wrote: The picture this tread is about isn't for garden hose connections it's for 3/8" copper tubing running between the arm to the doubler and the doubler to the worm. So yes it must be able to withstand temperature and alcohol vapor

Just get a union.

UnSub wrote:Who uses these? I wanted to buy them to use a quick disconnects for cooling lines (because the market is sparse for 3/8"xBarb disconnect fittings.. Does anyone have personal experience with these or other quick disconnect fittings?

I use them and they work great for the cooling lines

Post by **UnSub** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:39 pm

But do you use them as disconnects (repeatedly) or use as a one time coupling?

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Post by **bearriver** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:05 pm

I havent had one fail yet, and I disconnect the irrigation after every run.

Post by **frunobulax** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 2:25 am

I use these with 3/8 pex. Ya just push to connect, then retract the little blue button to disconnect.
They sell them on Amazon or SD

Post by **UnSub** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 3:08 am

Perfect! Thanks

Just found them

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