So I guess there is already information scattered in different posts around the site, but I can't seem to determine if there is a a consensus on the clear skies CS-200 replacement catalysts. Now that they have been out for several years, what have been people's experiences with them? I am leaning toward getting a Condar SS relaplacement, but the CS-200 at half the price is very tempting. I would just like a to hear how others have fared with them in a post purely devoted to the topic.
Replacement CAT Question
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Welcome aboard! What kind of stove/cat do you have?
I asked the same question last year before buying a reall SS Cat made by Sud-Chemi (the makers of Condar Cats.) The answer I got was just what I thought I would get. You get what you pay for. 1/2 the price for 1/2 the product quality/life. If you look at the fine print on their site, you'll notice they are thinner than regularly priced cats and only carry half the warranty. Some people said they burned out very quickly, others said they were even mishapen after a short period. Basically, they are not worth the money according to the report I got. I ended up with an SS cat for $50. Raybonz found the deal on Ebay, a once in a lifetime deal for the 2x6 round cat.
I asked the same question last year before buying a reall SS Cat made by Sud-Chemi (the makers of Condar Cats.) The answer I got was just what I thought I would get. You get what you pay for. 1/2 the price for 1/2 the product quality/life. If you look at the fine print on their site, you'll notice they are thinner than regularly priced cats and only carry half the warranty. Some people said they burned out very quickly, others said they were even mishapen after a short period. Basically, they are not worth the money according to the report I got. I ended up with an SS cat for $50. Raybonz found the deal on Ebay, a once in a lifetime deal for the 2x6 round cat.
I have a vermont castings Winter Warm small insert. It takes a canned 2.5"x6" rectangular CAT i believe. Condar is charging about $160 including shipping for a SS cat. I hadn't really thought about checking ebay for a combustor, but sounds like it's at least worth a shot. Thanks for the reply, I guess it's not really what I wanted to hear, but like you said, basically what I expected...
K_G_1 said:
Expensive cat in that stove, around $200.00 for large stove and $100.00 for small and that is for the ceramic cats.. You need to measure your cat.. I'd pass on those clearskies cats as Chris mentioned they clog very easily and you can't clean them.. If all else fail try stuffing a Siamese cat in there and see if it works
http://www.firecatcombustors.com/category-s/1563.htm
http://www.inandoutlifestyles.com/vecawostcaco.html
http://www.woodstovecombustors.com/vermontcastings2.html
Good Luck!
Ray
K_G_1 said:
I would avoid S.S. Catalysts.
This one is an Advanced Catalyst Systems brand. It has a bar welded in the middle that kept the guts form puking out the bottom. I've read of similar warping in the forums. How it warps is dependent on the brand and how it's constructed, but from what I've seen they're not as dimensionally stable as the ceramic ones.
Hmmmm, I guess I hadn't thought about metal warping...I could see that destroying the refractory material as well if it warped that bad. Refractory replacement makes replacing the cat seem like cheap. Maybe I'll just stick with the good old fashioned ceramic unless someone can really make an argument for the stainless ones. I guess I'm not sure that they'd be worth the extra cost anyway, would a slightly lower light off temp really save enough wood to justify the extra expense?
K_G_1 said:
In a six year period yes. I believe the SS cat makes a huge difference in how quickly one can engage the cat. My DW had a probe thermometer and I used to be able to engage the cat before it reached 250 (cat temp) as long as I knew the fire was good and the temp was on its way up. The thing would take off like a freight train. With the ceramic I had to wait until it was well beyond 300 and it would take a while after engaging to light off. Really around 500-600 is when light off would occur. The difference was about 300 degrees. It made it a heck of a lot easier to operate the stove. If you do buy an SS Cat buy a Condar, they have a reputation to uphold and most manufacturers I know have used them since the beginning of cat technology.
KG1, is there any way you can take your insert out and stick a digital cat probe thermometer in the back of it? This is such an essential tool for cat stoves. They come with a digital read out and a six foot cord, so you can put it somewhere you can see the screen. It would help you figure out when to engage the cat, add air based on high cat temps, and reload based on low cat temps. It would save you on wood, catalyst life and long term maintenance of your insert. I know those winterwarms have similar secondary burn chamber to the Encore and they do get extremely hot. Have you ever had to replace the refractory housing, fireback or the cast iron cover for the secondary burn chamber? If you have you know what I'm talking about. A probe thermometer would help you no matter what kind of cat you purchase, SS or ceramic. I believe every cat stove should come with one.
In order for a stainless cat to warp like that it would have to get very hot or too hot. Could be an air leak somewhere, what stove is this? Even though ceramic cats will take a higher temp than stainless continuous temps over 1600 will degrade any type of cat and burn it out. I think many people here that have had their cats fail in the first year may be burning too hot going over that 1600 range. VCBurner is right, a cat probe can be a very good tool for cat stoves.
http://www.sud-chemie.com/scmcms/web/page_en_5705.htm
http://www.sud-chemie.com/scmcms/web/page_en_5705.htm
That is a great site if you're trying to decide what kind of cat to buy. This page shows the three different subtrates they are made of. http://www.sud-chemie.com/scmcms/web/page_en_7529.htm
Basically three different kinds Cordierite (ceramic), mullite (longer lasting ceramic) and stainless steel. It explains and compares their properties.
Basically three different kinds Cordierite (ceramic), mullite (longer lasting ceramic) and stainless steel. It explains and compares their properties.
Yes, a whole would have to be drilled in order to insert the probe. This is a common thing from what I hear around here. There are a few people on here who have them. Maybe you could contact Condar (the manufacturer,) about where exactly to drill your particular stove or maybe your local Vc dealer may be able to help.
The winterwarm is listed under the stoves that this is recommended for:
Digital Catalytic Monitor
Designed for woodstoves and inserts where conventional catalytic probe thermometers would be inaccessible or difficult to see. Powered by 9-volt battery, red LED read-out on electronic monitor is highly-responsive, displays 50-degree increments.
Ideal for stoves made by Vermont Castings (Defiant, Encore and Winter Warm models), Jøtul (Fireflight 12), Clayton Stove (Clay 60 Fireplace), Country Comfort (350-CC), Englander (24-JC) and Travis (Fireplace Xtrordinair). 4-inch stainless steel probe.
6-foot cable may be attached to either side of the remote display. For best visibility use built-in fold-out support. Made in USA.
Optional 110-volt wall plug-in adapter saves batteries.
I got this info from an Ebay add. Here's the link to it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIGITAL-Cat...278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ea892ac56
The winterwarm is listed under the stoves that this is recommended for:
Digital Catalytic Monitor
Designed for woodstoves and inserts where conventional catalytic probe thermometers would be inaccessible or difficult to see. Powered by 9-volt battery, red LED read-out on electronic monitor is highly-responsive, displays 50-degree increments.
Ideal for stoves made by Vermont Castings (Defiant, Encore and Winter Warm models), Jøtul (Fireflight 12), Clayton Stove (Clay 60 Fireplace), Country Comfort (350-CC), Englander (24-JC) and Travis (Fireplace Xtrordinair). 4-inch stainless steel probe.
6-foot cable may be attached to either side of the remote display. For best visibility use built-in fold-out support. Made in USA.
Optional 110-volt wall plug-in adapter saves batteries.
I got this info from an Ebay add. Here's the link to it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIGITAL-Cat...278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ea892ac56
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