Cat burn problem with new AS.

I have installed a new AS Woodstock stove. I have been suspecting that the Cat wasn't firing.
Tonight surface temp was 350 Cat probe reading 675 and air inlet set at 2.2. I lifted the lid and Cat was completely black. It was not in bypass. MM of wood is running 20.2 to 17 on the many pieces I have checked. There was only one that read over 20%.
Should I have had CAT burn? Is so, what may be the problem.
Sweep is coming in two weeks. I don't believe chimney restriction is the problem. I have also noticed that I need to crack the door open when starting to get a good burn. It is almost as if I have an air inlet problem.
Help. Don't know if the thing will get the job done when we hit single digits temps.

 

Worry not, Roger. It's the weather.
I'm having a hard time getting mine up to temp also.

When it gets cold, it will be fine

 

Oh, and if it isn't, Woodstock will give you your money back, or trade your stove for a bigger one.

 

I does appear I have less problems when it is colder out. Right now 42 and rain. I do get good reburn most of the time if air is opened.

 

How long are you letting the fire burn before you close the cat bypass?

Let the fire burn on high till the wood is all black on the surface then try closing the bypass. Let the air wide open till the STT is 400 then cut the air back to 50%. Let it get to 500 then set the air for a long burn.

 

this is really lousy weather to get a fire going. I'm even getting a little smoke smell in the house once in a while. It can take 40-60 minutes to get things up to temp on a reload here.

 

I will try this. I have been waiting until the cat probe gets to 500 or more and then engage the cat. Then I throttle back to a little over 50% on the air.
First CAT stove and trying cover all bases before contacting Woodstock. It is a learning curve.

 

Don't be afraid to get it hot. These cats work better the hotter they get.
600* is a good cruising temp. getting to 700 or more is just fine.

That cat will get to 1200* with no problem.

 

Just about perfect for crappy burns. Been having slight issues myself last couple days. Once the rain goes away, (and the low barometer) things should improve.

 

I usually dont close the bypass until I see 700 on the cat probe (350 on the temp gun on the pipe)

I also need to leave the door open to get a good fire going at this point. I even leave it cracked for a while when I first close the bypass to make sure the cat lights. You can have the door open about 1/2" with the bypass closed.

 

I have found that if the weather is 50 or above, I have to get my STT to 325 at least, before shutting down by pass. That is with super dry lodgepole.

When burning ok doug fir, say about 16/21% moisture, I have to leave the stove door cracked about an inch until I got some heat built up. A good char seems more important on this AS, compared to the BKs'. Probably due to the smaller cats. Right now we have 25 degrees, and I can shutdown as soon as the SST hits about 300. Within a minute or so the cat takes off.

 

I have also noticed that I can stall my cat, by restricting the air too fast too quickly. I generally go from full open to 3/4 to 1/2 to 1/4 in these temps.

 

Ditto. But spring and fall have always been thus. Long before government stoves. When we get hit with 50 below, my stove is really gonna make me proud.

 

I do the same

 

My experience with this stove is to really get the heat high, and I will usually help that out with a cracked door on initial cold start, for the initial start-up. 10/15 mins later I'll have the door closed but still let the wood blaze and get that STT up over 400'F. Finally engage the CAT and let it blaze some more. You're also going to have a major light show going on with blazing secondaries during all this too. This kind of mid 30s weather I'm never turning the draft down more that 2.5 I've got a pretty tall stack too, but still it just doesn't get a lot of draw until it gets cold, at least below 30'F.

PS One of the cool things about these hybrid stoves is even during start up those secondary burners are working for you and your not just sending heat up the chimney.

 

May not be your problem but when I got the Progress and before my girlfriend knew how to operate it, she clogged the cat when I was on a business trip. Clogged meaning it was literally black with creosote. This can happen under the right conditions. I cleaned it using the vinegar/water.

 

I asked about it and its all good. Im not here to spoil anyone having fun. Seems like a cat in a stove can be a lot of trouble. Thanks for the reply.

 

Also keep in mind, the cat doesnt have to be glowing for it to be working. The main symptom of a stalled cat is lots of smoke from the chimney, not a lack of glowing cat.....