Guidance on Slinky Manifolds.

Full details are available in the Installation Manuals supplied with the product.

The headers or tails of each slinky should be returned to one common point (usually on the side of the building) where they are connected up to form a single flow and return to the heat pump. This is termed the slinky manifold. Kensa can supply slinky manifolds which are suitable for all system sizes.

The manifold for the slinkies should be placed on the outside wall of the building, ideally with the heat pump on the other side of the wall. This is to avoid having to insulate the manifold with vapour barrier insulation to prevent condensation. It also reduces the number of entry/exit holes in the building’s fabric. Once installed an enclosure can be built around the unit if required or, if a heat pump is decided on early in the project, a recess can be designed into the external wall.

On the slinky manifold, each end of each slinky connection is terminated in a 32 mm to 28 mm reducer, which is connected to a 28 mm compression valve. Each of these valves is connected to either a "feed header" or "return header". It is important that the effective length of each slinky is the same, to ensure even flow rate across them all. Each manifold also contains a purge connection, which is used to initially fill the slinkies and purge them of air.

Connecting Slinky pipe to the manifold

It is essential that the slinkies are the same length to ensure even water flow. For large commercial plant intermediate headers may also be required and can be supplied if needed. Again pipe lengths are required to remain the same and this may mean any excess pipe is buried.

The slinkies should be connected to the manifold in a reverse return configuration to ensure they are kept to the same length as shown on the drawing above

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