Replace a Earth Stove or buy the parts?

I have a Earth Stove BV4000C in a 3100 sqft bilevel and while it puts out decent heat it wasn't great and I try to burn wood exclusively, last two years I averaged about 8 cords. What I just found out is that the previous owner(this is my third winter) didn't have the cat installed nor the cat temp. sensor. Last winter I discovered the liner was just sealed with cement to the top of the stove, I repaired the liner connection with the right collar last winter and the draft was much better. Now there are a few firebricks I could also replace and with the cat and temp sensor it should be running real good this winter...or do I try and sell it and buy a non-cat stove? Keep in mind I am saving for a complete wood burning furnace to replace my existing oil fired forced air unit, this should go in sometime next summer and the woodstove would just be for ambiance at that point.

Anyone have a picture of the cat temp probe installed, I see the knock out where it goes but that is behind the trim plate so how do you read the temp? Has anyone used a digital probe, if so which size fits? Thanks in advance!

I agree I am burning way too much wood, if I am overestimating it's not by much. I split over 4 cords for last winter and bought 3 maybe 4 during the season. I do try and heat the house exclusively with wood, this house is much harder than my last one because of the bilevel design with the stove on the upstairs floor. Besides the cat missing and temp probe there are two side firebricks that aren't there either, I am looking at about $400 I think for parts but then I should be done as i'll replace some other firebricks as well. Nothing against cat stoves in general, replacing a $200 cat every few years isn't the end of the world.

I just talked with lennox regarding the cat temp probe and it makes no sense since they said I have to kind of peek under the trim panels to take a look at the guage, I think I will just go with a digital remote mounted probe. Anyone know the proper depth the probe should stick inside the stove by the cat? Any recommendations on digital probes?

Tonight I am going to total all the parts I'll need, I will do all the work myself so there are no labor costs. Unless the Englander is a large insert it's not going to work for me, I beleive that model is just a free standing stove. I have read good things about the Earth Stoves, if there are downsides let me know as parts still seem to be readily available. If anyone has pictures of the cat installed and the cat thermometer please post them or send them to [email protected]

I like the stove and I'm about to paint it a nice deep red, I could possibly double the fans as well for more output. Savage it's got a nice big glass door, I think the cat & proper temp fires will make a big difference in my burn times. Time to order the parts and then keep splitting.

Make sure you factor in a new Cat($225) and any firebricks or other parts you might need to make sure the stove is running efficiently. $500 for a used stove is fair, if he can provide documentation for a new cat then maybe a bit more.

I used a local store that carries Lennox parts for my stuff but here is a place online plus a link to the owners manual: http://woodheatstoves.com/index.php...ea4b497295fb81a396d2f7&keyword=bv400c&x=0&y=0

http://www.lennoxhearthproducts.com/resources/manual/775005M-L-EARTHSTOVE-BV400C-2 (II&CO.pdf

I scanned the manual briefly but they have a 8" to 6" offset adapter listed which is if your stove doesn't perfectly line up with the flue so I would think a 6" liner would be fine.

Twofireplacestofill said:

FSRBIKER said:

Make sure you factor in a new Cat($225) and any firebricks or other parts you might need to make sure the stove is running efficiently. $500 for a used stove is fair, if he can provide documentation for a new cat then maybe a bit more.

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OK Good idea FSRBIKER. Can I get parts for this?

Another question, I will need to get a chimney liner. This model has an 8" flue opening but states in the owners manual either 8" to 6" flue liner is OK. I'm considering getting a 6" in case I don't really like this and want to go on to a new one like a PE Summitt or something in the future. Any problems running a 6" flue to an 8" stove opening or should I stick with an 8" flue.

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Well I replaced the gaskets, installed the cat setup with temp probe and next week have to pick up the new firebrick. All I can say is WOW what a difference the cat has made, my burn times have doubled and I am getting alot more heat. Three splits at 10-11pm and by 6am there still is a bit of wood(tons of coals) in the stove and the fan is still running pumping out hot air.Now I have to find the right floor fan to move some cool air towards the stove.