How do you know when a CAT is burning? VC Encore

[salgal33]

Yesterday I posted about not getting decent burn times. I left the stove alone all night and I did still have hot coals after 9 hours, but once again the heat pump ran a good portion of the night.
I read the manual again and it said without the cat in, the stove burns hotter and quicker. With it in, longer burn time but lower temps.
So I got to thinking that I did not actually see the installers put the cat in.
When the CAT kicks in, is there an audible or visual cue?
It is not really that hard to check, I just need to let it cool down to get to the plate.

 

[jharkin]

You have the 2in1 correct?

On a traditional cat stove, often the only sure sign is that if you look outside there is no smoke out of the chimney - just white steam or heat waves.

Your 2in1 in theory should go into non-cat reburn mode if the cat is out, so you should still see no smoke if its burning hot enough. Other 2in1 owners might have better ideas.

 

[fire_man]

I can tell the cat on the Progress is lit because I monitor the stovetop temp directly above the cat. When the cat is active, this temp increases rapidly after engaging. If the temp stalls, I know I did not bypass long enough. I'm not sure how your cat is positioned with respect to the lid. On the Fireview you could see the cat glow when it was active, not so with the Progress.