Installing auber cat probe - problems

[JimmyJamz]

Encore 2550
So I just got my auber, not exactly sure if I have installed it correctly.
I pulled off the little metal cover in the back, inserted the thermometer until it pushed through what I believe is the cat housing. It’s prob around 4.5 inches deep into the stove. Get up to about 550, I engage the cat, everything seems right, flue temp drops, no more smoke coming out of the chimney, but cat temp sits around 630, no higher.
So, either it’s not installed correctly or it’s a cat issue, put a brand new cat in last year. I would like to rule out cat issue first, any advice on how I can tell if this probe is installed correctly, actually sitting in the chamber?
EDIT:
Current Temps:
Griddle: 500
Flue: 280
Cat Probe: 680
I’m guessing I need to take this thing apart and investigate the cat. Should be easier to change a cat than it is with this stove😩

Thanks for any help/advice.

James

 

[Turbo89]

Easiest way to check is to take the CAT out and look into the cat chamber. You’ll see the thermocouple sticking out. I may have posted some pictures of this in my CAT probe install thread.

Edit, I didn’t but maybe the other pics/info will be helpful:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...ncore-2040-2012-uk-model.195280/#post-2752534

On note edit, I found some pics:

The drill bit poking through:

The temp probe installed:

 

[JimmyJamz]

Easiest way to check is to take the CAT out and look into the cat chamber. You’ll see the thermocouple sticking out. I may have posted some pictures of this in my CAT probe install thread.

Edit, I didn’t but maybe the other pics/info will be helpful:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...ncore-2040-2012-uk-model.195280/#post-2752534

On note edit, I found some pics:

The drill bit poking through:
View attachment 346497

The temp probe installed:
View attachment 346498

Got it, so I need to do some part removal then, thanks for the info!

 

[Turbo89]

Got it, so I need to do some part removal then, thanks for the info!

Yes, need to wait till it cools off. With oven gloves you can probably do it when the stove still has some coals left.

 

[reaperman1]

The Auber probe should be the same length as the factory cat probe, then you know its correct.

 

[JimmyJamz]

The Auber probe should be the same length as the factory cat probe, then you know its correct.

This stove was at my home without a probe when we bought it, so unfortunately I have never seen a factory one.

 

[Megunticook]

I pulled off the little metal cover in the back, inserted the thermometer until it pushed through what I believe is the cat housing.

I own a 2550 too. Not sure what you mean about "the little metal cover in the back" though. On mine there was a predrilled hole in the back with a round "plug" in it. To install the probe I removed that plug and then very carefully drilled a hole through the back side of the refractory. The probe tip ends up sitting maybe an inch or so from the bottom of the cat.

Remove the combustion throat hood and lower fireback so you can pull out the cat and see what's going on there with your probe.

Sometimes I find if I close the damper and shut the primary air down too quickly on a cold start the cat will struggle to rise to 1K. Is it possible that might be your situation?

 

[JimmyJamz]

I own a 2550 too. Not sure what you mean about "the little metal cover in the back" though. On mine there was a predrilled hole in the back with a round "plug" in it. To install the probe I removed that plug and then very carefully drilled a hole through the back side of the refractory. The probe tip ends up sitting maybe an inch or so from the bottom of the cat.

Remove the combustion throat hood and lower fireback so you can pull out the cat and see what's going on there with your probe.

Sometimes I find if I close the damper and shut the primary air down too quickly on a cold start the cat will struggle to rise to 1K. Is it possible that might be your situation?

Yes, mine was the same, little metal button or plug in a predrilled hole.
And yes, I’m in north Texas, haven’t had a fire going in a few weeks. Just regasketed everything so I needed to run a fire for the cement. Maybe that’s the reason though? But it also gives me an excuse to take this whole thing apart again 🤷🏼‍♂️