Sioux Chief Copper or Uponor EP Valved Manifold

[TvilleRider]

For a homerun system, are there recommendations on which manifolds to use with Aquapex? The copper with brass valves appear to be more robust but maybe it doesn't matter all that much. The valved EP manifolds are a bit more expensive than the Sioux Chiefs with the same number of branches but not enough to be of concern. Also, coming out of the tankless water heater coil, the manifold will be approximately 3 feet above the coil outlet. The copper could transition to the EP manifold, but the copper pipe from the coil would transition nice into the copper manifold. The feed water will pass through a calcite neutralizer before it feeds the water heater and manifolds.

 

[Reach4]

For use with expansion fittings, you need to use the products made to standard F1960. As I read it, Sioux Chief does not have a valved F1960 manifold.

http://www.siouxchief.com/products/supply/powerpex-systems

 

[Sponsor]

 

[CountryBumkin]

There are several copper manifolds available for ProPEX (AquaPEX). http://www.supplyhouse.com/ProPEX-Copper-Manifolds-519000

 

[TvilleRider]

I contacted Sioux Chief and they do have F1960 manifolds, I copied the link below. They are less than half the price of the Uponor copper manifolds. Having a choice and costing close to the same, would any of the experts in the field use the copper/brass manifolds over the polymer?

http://www.siouxchief.com/products/...olds/1-2-pex-branches/3-4-male-sweat-x-closed

 

[Reach4]

Cool. http://www.siouxchief.com/docs/defa...960---powerpex-grip---buy-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=20 page 10 shows the products too. Were you planning to feed your manifold with copper?

An advantage to copper/brass is that you can remove a connection and put a new one on.

I have been reading up on this myself. I plan to replace at least some of my galvanized with AquaPex F1960 PEX.

 

[TvilleRider]

I did see the other products from Sioux Chief as well. On the hot water side, I would be feeding it with copper. On the cold water feed, I am coming out of a neutralizer and could feed it with PEX or Cu, I haven't decided yet.

I was thinking the same regarding the removal of PEX if needed. I think it could be done on the EP manifolds as well but you would have to be more careful.

 

[Todd Jamison]

I used a couple 8 port multiport tees from Uponor. They were about $30 each and I've had ZERO issues for over a year. The couplers in the photo were due to removing a manabloc I had in place that kept leaking due to compression connections on the hot side loosening over time. My system is 100% Uponor now and I couldn't be happier. I can't vouch for Sioux Chief other than when comparing both products at our supply house, the Uponor stuff appeared to be better made.

 

[Reach4]

Here is another link to the Sioux Chief F1960 manifolds. http://www.siouxchief.com/products/...olds/1-2-pex-branches/3-4-male-sweat-x-closed