One vs two manifolds?

[oranjeboom]

45 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

Ok. Thinking cap on ?

Have the pump and blender then a 5 port manifold. Take irons ( brass fittings ) out the ends of both tails, perform a 180 turn and fire back into a 7 port manifold directly in front of the 5. That should stop the second manifold short of the pump bleed screw and leave you enough room to dismount the pump for replacement. 

Get your plumber to use all compression fittings on the flow and return pipework, gate valves as soon as the F&R enters the  cupboard and a drain off cock so you can easily remove the lot in minutes with just a spanner and screwdriver. ?

Sorted. 

Ohhhhhhhhh (suck in air through teeth moment). That approach is not one that supplier recommends or can guarantee.....    They have preference over having two seperate manifolds in the cupboard (i.e. not elbowed together via the tails). That way they can charge more for pump, blender, wiring....another £350 thanks. Otherwise it's all down to me risking it. Guess they have preference over simple, but potentially costlier solutions.

 

If I knew who my plumber would be at this stage I would probably go for it Nick. But as I essentially want him to commission the whole setup (including boiler) I don't want him having any excuses with my UFH install. Have to 'Keep it simple, stupid', for most trades that I seem to have at my disposal down this way.

 

I don't the the manifold upstairs feeding downstairs is the way to go either. I'll end up with a heated wall which is no bad thing, but I want the loops as short as possible.

 

I may have to squish in a 12-port manifold elsewhere after all.

[Nickfromwales]

They're just being dicks. That'll work perfectly well, and hydraulically is no different to a 12 port manifold imo. 

The only thing I'd do if going that route would be to make the second pair of rails slightly higher so the air vents naturally to the end of both of the runs. 

Going for an extra pump and blender is just way OTT, but if you want the warranty  then the balls in their court. 

Fwiw, I'd do that job happily with the proviso that if it didn't work I'd not charge you for doing it. 

Waters been traveling through bends in pipework for quite some years now, so I don't see why your designer thinks that has stopped for whatever reason ( cos it hasn't  ). 

This decision is for you to make . 

Have they commented on being able to have it vertical with air vents at the top?

The pump and blender could still stay horizontal. Bend kits to link the two are commonly available btw. 

[oranjeboom]

2 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

 

Waters been traveling through bends in pipework for quite some years now, so I don't see why your designer thinks that has stopped for whatever reason ( cos it hasn't  ). 

I've got hard chalky water down this way. Must be why it isn't possible.

 

2 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

This decision is for you to make . 

Have they commented on being able to have it vertical with air vents at the top?

The pump and blender could still stay horizontal. Bend kits to link the two are commonly available btw. 

 

I did not even bother going down that route as I think I know what the answer would have been. Thanks for the comments Nick. Let me know when you're down this way in Kent for a bit of plumbing! My Welsh boss makes some neat Welsh cakes.

 

[Nickfromwales]

Haven't long done the SiL's bathroom in West Malling

[oranjeboom]

18 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

Haven't long done the SiL's bathroom in West Malling

Let me know when you are back for snagging / leak issues!