Replies

1. 
   ccal | Sep 17, 2003 02:33am | #1

   They are used most often for pex installations. They can be bought prefabbed or the plumber can make his own. Someone posted pictures not long ago of some he installed.

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 17, 2003 02:37am | #2

   That was Wet Head Warrior and his meticulous work. 

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   edwardh1 | Sep 17, 2003 02:52am | #3

   But are they good or bad?

   easy to cut off water, but also more joints (those at the manifold0.

   i used to work where they pumped radioactive liquids and one big design issue was to minimize joints.

   Why are they used? Manifolds that is?

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 17, 2003 02:59am | #4

   Were the manifolds for general water supply or heat? Both?

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   edwardh1 | Sep 17, 2003 03:11am | #5

   water only

   water for heat is not common in coastal SC

2. 
   IMERC | Sep 17, 2003 03:18am | #6

   For a pex hook up yhey seem to be just fine. For hard pipe.. Anybody's guess but what for.

   Then again I hope you don't plan on on pumping radioactive liquids, 

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

3. 
   johnharkins | Sep 17, 2003 03:56am | #7

   Wet Head Warrior could say it best but generally from that manifold on down the line in a pex application the only other "joint" might be at the fixture where with typical pipe applications you may have innumerable "joints" before fixture.  Home runs to each bathroom  or maybe to each fixture will lessen  joint count dramatically

4. 
   Wet_Head | Sep 18, 2003 07:27pm | #10

   When you do such a good job why would I even need to say anything?  Thanks though.

   To add a bit.  As was mentioned elsewhere there are 2 main reasons for going this route.  To reduce joints and to equalize flow.  Now while I can (and do) provide for adequate flow with the branch tee method, I find it easier to use the manifold method.  But I never use the home run method.  You actually gain VERY little if any... and it costs more for materials and labor as far as I can tell.  So I settled on the modified home run method. 

   I run a larger size pipe to a central location in a fixture group (it may be one bathroom or 3) and then put in my manifold and home run each fixture to that manifold.  As I understand it I am getting the best of both worlds.  I am a huge fan of hot water recirculating ayways and this works beautifully with that concept.  I just cut the end of the manifold off and solder on another adapter.  Then I run from there to the next group and eventually come home to the water heater.  The last leg is always 1/2" because there are no fixtures on it.  I use good recircs with timers and aquastats so that the energy consumption is minimal and it also saves energy elsewhere so the net energy usage is extremely tiny.

   Hope this helps.

2. 
   ccal | Sep 17, 2003 04:04am | #8

   There are going to be joints in every system, a manifold keeps the majority in one spot plus allows a single line to each fixture. Easier to isolate a leak. Very few leaks in the pex systems Ive dealt with.

1. 
   Gabe | Sep 17, 2003 04:15am | #9

   The main function of an "Alberta Manifold" is to balance the water pressure to different zones. It is used for all types of liquid transfers. Installation of one from a central water heating tank allows hot water to be distributed to several outlets evenly.

   Most common application is in radiant heat distributions.

   We use it for all water distribution, hot and cold.

   Gabe

   Gabe