There are 2 zones each with it's own circulator and I just noticed up in
the insulation near the boiler on the return side there is a non-electric
flow control valve. If by "the entire system shuts down" you mean the
boiler that is correct.I believe I detect the circulator for the zone
involved running when I place my hand on it. When the boiler temp reaches
180+ boiler shots off and comes back on about 10-15 minutes later as room
temp causes the thermostat to still call for heat. I'm beginning to believe
that the total run of the heat loopis way too long. I don't know what
limitations there should be. A quick calclation gives me 200 plus feet some
of it is 1 and 1/4 inch pipe. The more I examine everything the more
questions I have. Time to make a call. Appeciate exeryone's expertise.
John


"RBM" rbm2(remove wrote in message
...
If I'm reading your post correctly, it sounds like the entire system shuts
down when the boiler reaches 180, which it shouldn't. You have two zones
and I don't know if they are zone valves with one circulator or two
circulators but, in either case, the thermostat should control the
circulation of the hot water, and should keep it circulating until the
thermostat is satisfied.



"John F." wrote in message
...
When the outside temps (I'm in upstate NY) get down to the teens and
single digits my boiler can't keep up with the heat loss. There is
baseboard cabinet (7 inch cabinet) running the entire perimeter of the
first floor exterior walls of the four rooms (each 13x13) the zone
covers. The rooms are 8' 9" and all walls are insulated to R-13. The
windows are dbl insulated glass and the basement ceiling below is
insulated as well. The heat pipes are also fully insulated in the
basement. The boiler (oil fired baseboard hot water 2 zone system)
rated at 150,000 btu shuts down when it reaches the 180 deg boiler/water
temp. I've been told that the 180 deg is the proper shut down. The
thermostat calls for heat with a 2 degree drop in temperature. Right now
it only runs for about 10 minutes before it reaches its 180 deg mark and
then shuts down for about 15 mins. The result is a net loss of room
temperature especially at night of upwards of 6 to 8 degrees resulting in
a room temp of 60 to 62 degrees by morning. If temps go into the below
zeros then the boiler never catrhches up even in the daytime. So my
question is what if anything can I do or have the oil burner service
company do to have the burner deliver heat for a longer peiod. Your
usual good input would be appreciated. Thanks. John