Secondary air setup in Defiant catalytic

[saskee]

I recently replaced the secondary air probe in my Vermont Castings Defiant Encore. My assumption was that it supplied extra air for the catalytic burn, but its operation seems to defy this logic. When the stove is cold it opens, and when it heats up it closes. I seem to recall that it worked the exact opposite before I replaced it. Which is wrong...my memory...my logic or my stove part.


Thanks..

Jim

 

[logbutcher]

Encore Secondary Air Probe

I recently replaced the secondary air probe in my Vermont Castings Defiant Encore. My assumption was that it supplied extra air for the catalytic burn, but its operation seems to defy this logic. When the stove is cold it opens, and when it heats up it closes. I seem to recall that it worked the exact opposite before I replaced it. Which is wrong...my memory...my logic or my stove part.
Thanks..
Jim

Replaced 2 sec air probes on 2 Encores over the past 9 years when the probe burnt "short". Function of it should be to provide more air when the cat is at lower temps to keep the cat burning off the gases and particulates. Now, I could be wrong :monkey: .
Try the last CFM/VC/Majestic tech lineI had: 800.525.1898. Even better, try the local good dealer selling the VC line.
If your cat is more than a couple of winters' old, pull it out, clean it, give it the great hot vinegar bath. Check the clarity of the smoke when the cat has "lit off" and the stove is damped way down. If you have an Encore where the cat is accessible from the rear, it's one of the earlier Encores, actually better made than the later CFM makes from the mid-90's.
Since we burn 24/7, the cat is replaced every 2-3 years. Worth the trouble and $$$.
Also, get the manual --online-- for some info on maintenance, and Google info on cat maintenance. DO NOT do the "hot vinegar bath" with SWMBO (shewhomustbeobeyed) in close proximity !!!!!!! :help:
LB out

 

[saskee]

thanks and one more thing...

makes sense.... I just put in a new cat...a metal based combuster from advanced catalytics. I had had some crumbling problems with the ceramic types. Have you ever tried one of these metal types?

Jim