AB 4 Loop PEX/Radiant Manifold, 1/2 Inch Compatible Outlets, Up to 1.3 GPM Flow Valve for Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating(1/2" Connectors Included)

After reading some of the negative reviews, I was somewhat concerned with ordering these manifolds. I ordered a 2, 3 and an 8 loop manifold for a 3 zone system. When the manifolds arrived, they looked like they were manufactured in the same plant as a previous manifold I bought that I paid significantly more for. Everything assembled quickly and I had no leaks. It looks to me like they have updated the design to work with standard tapered pipe fittings. I had no issue with the 1" threads bottoming out before they got tight. They look like standard tapered pipe threads, not British or fuel threads some reviewers were having issues with earlier. I have been very happy with these manifolds any would buy them again. I can't speak to the longevity but hopefully they will last .

Excellent manifold. High quality and much cheaper than other brands. Comes with all the compression fittings for 1/2” Pex.

Everything appears to be good quality so far. Been using it for a couple months now. Only issue I had is one of the ports isn't being used and while it was turned off so water wouldn't come out, it is now dripping. This could be due to lower temps recently and my wood boiler not running during that time. Easy enough to use a piece of PEX tubing and cap it off. No instructions included, but it's pretty simple and plenty of resources on Google.

This manifold works and is good quality. There are a few things you need to know when ordering and installing. First the heat loops for floor heat systems are usually 1/2 inch PEX and that's what this unit accepts. It comes with 10 compression fittings on the main tubes that accept 1/2 inch PEX. They are high quality and do not leak. Second, the hot water input and cold water return line female fittings are 1 inch non-taper pipe thread and only about 1/2 in deep with a shoulder at the bottom. If you screw in a taper male 1" fitting, the threads are typically 1" long. This fitting will bottom out against the shoulder of the SS steel female valve fitting and leaks. Because the taper threads on the male fitting are smaller diameter at the end, it is difficult to get enough PTFE tape and pipe dope on the threads to keep it from leaking. I went to the hardware store and bought rubber "O" rings to fit between male fitting and the shoulder of the female fitting which made a water tight seal. This unit should come with "O" rings or a rubber washer to keep this joint from leaking. Third, on the hot water side, the flow meter valves come with the valves shut. I took off the red castle nut and opened all the flow meter valves wide open because I wanted to adjust down instead of up. Fourth, because I was replacing an old, leaking five loop manifold, I wanted to purge air and brackish water from the in floor lines. I purged the lines after everything was hooked up by hooking up a garden hose to the end valve fitting on the return side. You may have to put an extra rubber washer in the garden hose fitting to keep it from leaking as the threaded end is a little short. Close all the white cup valves on the return side but one. Open the red inlet valve on the hot side and close the blue valve on the return side which forces the water to go out the garden hose. Crank up the boiler and the system pumps. Let the water run thru the in floor line until the garden hose is running hot water - takes a while. Close that white cup valve and open another one, continuing to purging each floor line one at a time . When done, open all white cup valves and the blue inlet valve to allow water to circulate back into the enclosed system. Close the little red valve, remove the garden hose and screw on the cap. When the unit arrived, one of the four pieces of rubber that goes in the clamp to hold the big tube to the bracket was missing. I called their customer service. A real person answered and was most anxious to help.. I could see that it was going to take a while to get the part, so made a substitute out of a piece of rubber. I knocked it a star because of the 1" thread issue, the missing part, and the lack of instructions. I do think the unit is good quality and works as it is supposed to and customer service is good.

Using this pump for the floor heating system in my garage. Works great

As the other reviewer mentioned, you may have to replace the o rings on the larger fittings, because they bottom out. This was a fairly simple task accomplished at my local Ace with little drama and delay. Else, I've had two of them manifolds installed for over a year now, and they've been in my radiant garage and house floor heating system through a MI winter with no problem. As far as I can tell, these Chinese stainless steel manifolds are all of comparable quality. If you want a little more comfort in warranty/service, maybe look to SupplyHouse for Bluefin or something, otherwise save a few more bucks with these guys on Amazon.

Not impressed with the nuts. One showed up with different material of the tightening nuts. Not sure what happened.

Easy to install, best value and it is been working for a year without any isuue.