What to do with VC Energy Extender

I recently purchased my first wood stove second hand. It is a Vermont Casting Resolute (pre 1990). It seems to be in great shape, so I recently installed new gaskets and look forward to start heating with it. After doing allot of research, I find myself stumped on the Energy Extender that came with the stove.

This appears to be an option that was produced by Vermont castings for the Resolute and Defiant models. It attaches to the back of the stove, and comprises of a insulated box which ducts the flue exhaust down to a Catalytic element for ignition of a second burn of the gases. The problem is I can find very little information on the Energy Extender. I called Vermont Castings and found one person that emailed me a pdf. of the Energy Extender operations manual. However, they can not provide any further information or parts for it. I didn't get any further with the local dealer, or other internet searches.

My guess is that with enough digging I may find an after market source that can reactivate the Catalytic element, if not custom make a replacement. However, I would really like to know the following. Should I remove the Energy Extender and go without it until something can be done about reactivating or replacing the element? Could the stove possibly work better with unit attached even if the element is no longer active? Also, I tried cleaning the unit and I am wondering if the refractory lining in it might be asbestos? Perhaps I am safer getting rid of it?

Any insight is much appreciated!
Pete

Thanks for helping to decide this matter. I don't mean any offense, but I hope others might chime in with similar responses. It would make me feel better knowing that was the consensus of everyone before I send it to the dump, or perhaps flea bay.

Thanks, I think I will avoid potential problems, not to mention expence of replacing the element, and junk the extender. You say the Resolute was a relatively dirty stove. I was just wondering, should I consider a new stove at some point soon? I like the look of the stove, and not having had one before, I'm not sure what to really expect. Hopefully lower propane bills, that was my goal.

Also, on a side note, that manual says to put a inch of either ash from another stove or sand in the bottom to insulate. As I understand it this is a good idea. I was wondering, since I have a fireplace as well, should I use the ashes from it instead of sand, or does it matter at all?

Once again thanks for the help.
Pete

Well, for the time being I'm happy enough with my purchase of the old Resolute. I simply remove the Energy Extender and I am now back to the standard method of operation. I didn't pay anything extra for the extender, in fact according to the local swapsheets and Ebay, I did well on my purchase price for the used stove. If this will work for me over the next three or four years while my wife is in school I'll be very happy. Until she starts working again there just aren't any funds for a newer model. It's actually nice to know that I don't need to shell out more dough right now to replace the catalyst.

Thanks all.