Determining if a cat is dead...

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Peter B.

Feeling the Heat
Feb 27, 2008
453
SW Wisconsin
(I fully expect some lame humor involving felines, but I could use a straight answer as well.)

I'll be replacing my cat tomorrow... but I'm still wondering if the old one is really dead.

The old cat is showing NO temp surge on engagement (with a probe thermometer within an inch of the top surface). The cat glows at times, but my suspicion is that 'bare naked' ceramic would glow under certain conditions as well.

I know I can get internal stove temps high enough (at the same temp probe location) to match catalyst temps... even when the cat isn't in use... and the exhaust from the chimney is invisible at those times.

So how do you tell if a cat is _really_ done for?

--

Another question while I'm here...

After burning with cats for about 20 years, I've got a few dead ones on hand now.

Anyone know if there's a recycler of cats out there?

--

Thanks In Advance.

Peter B.

-----
 
Crumbling honeycomb is the main sign.
 
Not sure with a stainless steel cat.
 
Anyway to snuff the fire down in this stove so that it would make the firebox smokey? If that's doable and there is no smoke with the cat engaged, I'd say that could give you a good sign. I'd also suspect it to start glowing more if it's working harder. Perhaps try putting a load on some hot coals and smothering it down pretty quickly?

pen
 
Peter B. said:
(I fully expect some lame humor involving felines, but I could use a straight answer as well.)

I'll be replacing my cat tomorrow... but I'm still wondering if the old one is really dead.

The old cat is showing NO temp surge on engagement (with a probe thermometer within an inch of the top surface). The cat glows at times, but my suspicion is that 'bare naked' ceramic would glow under certain conditions as well.

I know I can get internal stove temps high enough (at the same temp probe location) to match catalyst temps... even when the cat isn't in use... and the exhaust from the chimney is invisible at those times.

So how do you tell if a cat is _really_ done for?

--

Another question while I'm here...

After burning with cats for about 20 years, I've got a few dead ones on hand now.

Anyone know if there's a recycler of cats out there?

--

Thanks In Advance.

Peter B.

-----
Click to expand...

Sound like it's used up. Roughly how old is it?
I read somewhere they last 12,000 hours average if not abused.
I'm betting with the price of the coating, somewhere they must recycle.
Did you try internet searches or email any of the suppliers?

PS: If the dog isn't afraid to get near it, it's dead. :)
 
What stove is this for? Your sig isn't helping.
 
BrowningBAR said:
What stove is this for? Your sig isn't helping.
Click to expand...

You ain't helping much either, Bub.

--

The cat is an internal install in the stove in my sig... now twenty years on the mod.

My questions are pretty straightforward.

PB

-----
 
Peter B. said:
BrowningBAR said:
What stove is this for? Your sig isn't helping.
Click to expand...

You ain't helping much either, Bub.

--

The cat is an internal install in the stove in my sig... now twenty years on the mod.

My questions are pretty straightforward.

PB

-----
Click to expand...


Is it a stainless cat? Ceramic? Is it warped? Any crumbling honeycomb? Post a pic of the cat.

Nevermind, I see it is a ceramic cat.
 
How old is catalyst?
 
BrowningBAR said:
Is it a stainless cat? Ceramic? Is it warped? Any crumbling honeycomb? Post a pic of the cat.

Nevermind, I see it is a ceramic cat.
Click to expand...

Yes, ceramic. No crumbling. No physical damage. Saw very brief service in a Dutchwest twenty years ago. Was gifted to me by someone who didn't 'get' cat combustors. On the shelf all the time since until two years ago, when it saw limited service again.

Last year, in a hot water 'bath' (by the book), a lot of black flake came off... _not_ fly ash.

I figured that might well be it... the coating peeling off... but I used it through the rest of the season and into the beginning of this one.

Symptoms are as described in my first post.

PB

-----
 
Pens idea sounds like a good litmit test. If you cant dampen down with a hot fire, without smoke coming out of the chimney...id say where theres smoke theres a dead cat.

Does it smoke on startup and change with closing the bypass? Any reduction in flue gas temps?
 
pen said:
Anyway to snuff the fire down in this stove so that it would make the firebox smokey? If that's doable and there is no smoke with the cat engaged, I'd say that could give you a good sign. I'd also suspect it to start glowing more if it's working harder. Perhaps try putting a load on some hot coals and smothering it down pretty quickly?
Click to expand...

A bit late for that, the cat broke when pressed out of the 'cradle' yesterday.

I was asking the question for future reference.

As mentioned, I have a probe that sits in the exhaust flow immediately above the catalyst. Whether the cat is engaged (or physically removed) or not, the internal stove temp at that point can reach 1500* (according to a recent issue Condar probe... or perhaps 1200* in the 'real world').

With or without the cat, when the temp gets to about 1200*, there's no smoke from the chimney... so it's kinda hard to tell whether the clean up is from the cat or just conducive stove temps.

So _only_ obvious physical damage would induce any of you to replace?

PB

-----
 
If your not getting any temp surge after engaging I'd say it's shot. Temps should rise quickly with a good cat. I bet a steel cat would be the way to go for your unique setup.

Maybe it's time to buy a new stove? I thought you were pondering it last year. Looks like Woodstock sale is still going til the end of the year.
 
Todd said:
If your not getting any temp surge after engaging I'd say it's shot. Temps should rise quickly with a good cat. I bet a steel cat would be the way to go for your unique setup.

Maybe it's time to buy a new stove? I thought you were pondering it last year. Looks like Woodstock sale is still going til the end of the year.
Click to expand...

Todd:

I went the economy route, with a 1 1/2" 6" round ceramic.

I may or may not be moving into a 400 square foot trailer home in the next couple of years, so a new stove for the present house is out... and it looks as though only something like the 'Sardine' marine stove would work in the trailer home.

But I think - after trying 'life' with a convection gas heater only - I'm going to _have_ to have some solid source of radiant heat. After twenty years plus, nothing else cuts it.

PB

-----
 
Again I'll ask if anyone knows of a wood stove catalyst recycler ???

I was unable to find anything online using the usual ways and means.

Thanks...

Peter B.

-----
 
Peter, not to derail from the original topic, but if you get a Sardine, or Halibut, then make sure you post about the experience here. I'm most interested in hearing about the chimney, etc. I don't know if I'd ever get one, but they sure do look like they'd be fun in a small space!

Now, as for that wicked awesome Round Oak, do you know Rick from http://madisonstoveworks.com/ ??? I've never heard of pairing a cat with a Round Oak, but have dreamed about one with some cool secondary system installed that didn't mess up the good looks of the stove. there is a Round Oak for sale in town here that is put up in the owner's yard sale every year, and never sells because it's just too danged expensive for the average person in this area. I've thought about it, but always end up with some other way to spend my money!
 
Danno77 said:
Peter, not to derail from the original topic, but if you get a Sardine, or Halibut, then make sure you post about the experience here. I'm most interested in hearing about the chimney, etc. I don't know if I'd ever get one, but they sure do look like they'd be fun in a small space!

Now, as for that wicked awesome Round Oak, do you know Rick from http://madisonstoveworks.com/ ??? I've never heard of pairing a cat with a Round Oak, but have dreamed about one with some cool secondary system installed that didn't mess up the good looks of the stove. there is a Round Oak for sale in town here that is put up in the owner's yard sale every year, and never sells because it's just too danged expensive for the average person in this area. I've thought about it, but always end up with some other way to spend my money!
Click to expand...

Danno:

The Sardine is likely a couple of years off yet, I'm afraid. By then, I hope they figure some kind of airwash for the glass front they offer.

Or, failing that, it would be great to see them (or another manufacturer) put out a similarly small stove in different styles... for similarly small habitats.

--

The Round Oak 'retrofit' project has been ongoing since 1989. I've owned the stove since 1975. I've heated with wood - in the Round Oak - many/most years since.

Currently - as well as some previous years - the Round Oak has featured the cat addition, as well as some 'experimental' secondary air piping... in copper, and short lived... but I'm learning.

PB

-----
 
Woodstock reportedly has a smaller stove in the works. . .might be ready when you are. For cat recycling, maybe call or e-mail Condar to inquire. If nothing for stoves turns up, there are automotive cat recyclers online. . .or maybe try a local scrap metal recycler.
 
Peter B. said:
Danno77 said:
Peter, not to derail from the original topic, but if you get a Sardine, or Halibut, then make sure you post about the experience here. I'm most interested in hearing about the chimney, etc. I don't know if I'd ever get one, but they sure do look like they'd be fun in a small space!

Now, as for that wicked awesome Round Oak, do you know Rick from http://madisonstoveworks.com/ ??? I've never heard of pairing a cat with a Round Oak, but have dreamed about one with some cool secondary system installed that didn't mess up the good looks of the stove. there is a Round Oak for sale in town here that is put up in the owner's yard sale every year, and never sells because it's just too danged expensive for the average person in this area. I've thought about it, but always end up with some other way to spend my money!
Click to expand...

Danno:

The Sardine is likely a couple of years off yet, I'm afraid. By then, I hope they figure some kind of airwash for the glass front they offer.

Or, failing that, it would be great to see them (or another manufacturer) put out a similarly small stove in different styles... for similarly small habitats.

--

The Round Oak 'retrofit' project has been ongoing since 1989. I've owned the stove since 1975. I've heated with wood - in the Round Oak - many/most years since.

Currently - as well as some previous years - the Round Oak has featured the cat addition, as well as some 'experimental' secondary air piping... in copper, and short lived... but I'm learning.

PB

-----
Click to expand...

Peter, sorry that I do not know of a recycling of old cats but I would call Woodstock and/or Condar about this as they very well might know.

As for that trailer, 400 sq.ft. might be a challenge but doable. I've known some folks who live in some very small old trailers and they seem to get along fine although none have chimneys that are very tall and tend to have to clean them a bit more often. As stated, Woodstock is working on a smaller box-type stove but not sure when it will hit the market as most of their people and time is now spent on their newest stove, the Progress. Hey, that might heat that 400 sq.ft home! But then, you'd have to have all windows open full time....
 
Dead cat . . . cat's cradle . . . mentioning sardine and cat in the same sentence . . . biting my tongue, biting my tongue . . . must not give smart alecky answer . . . must not give smart alecky answer . . . must be good today . . . must be good today.
 
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