High Valley 1500 Catalytic stove insert installation and review

[redyute]

So I got my new stove today and I have started this install and review thread so I can get help from you guys, I thought the unit came with some kind of gauge to let you know when the cat is active and inactive or display cat temperature, anyways did a few searches and found one just need to know the best install method. I have decided to do my own install and have it inspected by the county when I'm done to make sure its done properly and for my home insurance .My main concern is removing some brick from the damper area to clear the 8" stainless insulated pipe. There seems to be a rectangular metal ring around the brick, I will have pics up this weekend not to sure about that, apart from that it doesn't look to intimidating lol.

 

[redyute]

This is what it's replacing, wood hungry insert lol. This an ugly groan right there lol

 

[Rearscreen]

I wouldn't worry about the cat take off gauge, once you get to know the insert you will know when to engage it and if it's taking off.

 

[redyute]

I wouldn't worry about the cat take off gauge, once you get to know the insert you will know when to engage it and if it's taking off.

It's not me I'm worried about its the wife lol

 

[redyute]

It's not me I'm worried about its the wife lol

so while reading the manual it states that the c
should have come with a probe so I called up woodland direct and asked about it and got an email later stating the manufacturer is shipping me one, to bad I already dropped $31.00 on a condar lol.

 

[redyute]

So today i got off my ass and started doing some cleaning,pic are crappy for some reason

 

[redyute]

Not in any particular order, lots of creosote. I guess this is the rest of the damper i need to cut out?. The metal rectangular frame over the brick?

 

[kennyp2339]

Looking good, tough busting bricks out, are you going to cut the damper totally out? are you planning on installing insulation and block off plate?

 

[redyute]

Looking good, tough busting bricks out, are you going to cut the damper totally out? are you planning on installing insulation and block off plate?

I'm just cutting the bottom section of the damper out, then taking 1 row of brick out and definitely insulating and installing block off plate no doubt about that

 

[redyute]

Got some more work done today got just a little more than 9" of clearance might be good enough

 

[redyute]

I plugged up the insert to test the blower, talk about quiet my old insert would be so loud that I would have to turn up the volume of the TV really loud so I can hear, I aint joking it was that loud and hardly moved air. This new one feels like I turned on the ceiling fan plus it blows out the front and sides of the stove, cant wait to fire this thing up lol. Oh now the wife wants me to tile the dam thing, talk about added projects.

 

[kennyp2339]

haha - you fell for the oldest wife trick in the book

 

[redyute]

haha - you fell for the oldest wife trick in the book

Can't say I didn't see it coming lol, she hated that white brick front the first day we bought the house. I thought that it was actuall brick someone painted in white but it looks like some kind of not sure if is Concrete or stone made to look like brick. Gonna see if I can plaster over it then lay tile after it dries

 

[kennyp2339]

Or hang dura rock board over it then tile to

 

[redyute]

Or hang dura rock board over it then tile to

that was my plan, and also the cheaper route to take but the surface isn't level so I might have some issues with that.

 

[redyute]

Got some workind done today, I had to drive an hour to borrow my man's hilti hammer drill. Using some Concrete fasteners which requires 5/16 holes be pre drilled, then they screw right into the concrete

 

[begreen]

Not in any particular order, lots of creosote. I guess this is the rest of the damper i need to cut out?. The metal rectangular frame over the brick?

Yes, lots of 'sote. Be sure to clean the smoke shelf too, above and behind the damper. Has the chimney been professionally cleaned?

 

[redyute]

Yes, lots of 'sote. Be sure to clean the smoke shelf too, above and behind the damper. Has the chimney been professionally cleaned?

Smoke bed was a mess lots of crap including the damper plate I was wondering where it was. The chimney has not been professionally cleaned.

 

[begreen]

You'll want that chimney well cleaned before installing the liner.

 

[redyute]

You'll want that chimney well cleaned before installing the liner.

Spent three days on it. I'm pretty happy with the results, will post some pics soon as I'm done with this hardi board install

 

[BrotherBart]

Yeah you want that stuff out of there before the liner. The liner heat will definitely light it off later.

 

[2fireplacesinSC]

I was also told by a sweep that if you don't get the chimney cleaned well, it's possible you'll have some odor issues with an install. Is that correct?

Does seem like a good idea to get a professional clean since everything will be installed and hard to take down/out after that and make sure everything looks good inside. It's a good insurance company insurance policy too just in case you have a chimney/house fire. They won't be able to blame you and then try not to pay.

edit: on thinking about it, the sweep was probably actually talking about the bricks in the fireplace. Something to the effect when the wood stove got the bricks hot, they would be more likely to release the smoke smell if they weren't cleaned well. Could be wrong on this, just seems like I remember him saying it.

 

[redyute]

Starting to feel the chill lol so today she will be going in and I can fin8sh the tile with the stove installed.

 

[redyute]

What should I use to seal around the adaptor, goes in just under 2 inches deep but I can see light around it. Some say furnace cement?

 

[redyute]

Gonna keep all tags to show inspector just in case he asks about UL compliance

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