Advice on balancing a single pipe system

[ASJ]

Hello I'm new on here so apologise if this has already been covered but couldn't find anything on the search.

I am looking for some advice on ballancing a single pipe central heating system. My question is should i be striving to achieve the 11 degC temperature drop accross each radiator, as you would do with a 2 pipe system pipe system, or should i just try to get them all as close to the same temperature as possible?

Also the upstairs loop is tee'd off the downstairs loop but has a gate valve on the return pipe before it feeds back into the downstairs loop. what would this be for? Is this something to do with the ballancing the upstairs loop?

Many thanks.

[WHPES]

Yes, its for balancing the loops.

It's a right pain to balance a single pipe system. First you need to open up all the valves and lockshields, balance the loops, then start at the radiators at the end of the loops and work your way to the front.

Do it by feel - if you're trying to get set temperature drops you'll end up pulling your hair out!

[ASJ]

Thanks for your reply WHPES,
When i'm ballancing the upstairs and downstairs loops where is the best place to "measure" the temperature.
logic suggests to me that it should be on the return pipes just before they join back up at the Tee, is that right?

As for the rest i'm basically trying to get all radiators on each loop as close to the same temperature as possible, not concentrating too hard on the actual drops!

[WHPES]

Across flow and return.

Bear in mind you'll have to be constantly checking all of them as you go on. Single pipe systems are a nightmare!

[ASJ]

Thanks, I know they're not the best but at least it will keep me off the streets until i get round to adding another pipe next summer!