Encore 2550 Cat Thermometer

[JV_Thimble]

I'm looking for which current Condar probe (probe length) to get for my Encore 2550.

This backstory is my perspective on cat probes.

When this was brand new the lack of a factory cat thermo resulted in buckling the refractory/catalyst chamber. That was under parts warranty so I had my sweep install. Learned a lot from this forum and got a cat therm to manage temp. My 1st cat therm was the old digital Condar model that is no longer manufactured (it worked great). I've since given up on my 2nd, an Auber Instruments setup, as I've had zero success despite several goes. (Backwards 3's are not my thing...)

 

[ajayabb]

I have the same stove. You need a 6 inch thermo probe. I went with the Auber 100 and K type probe so I could monitor the temp without climbing behind the stove The probe has a 6 foot cable which gives you some flexibility with location for the display. I’m not sure which Condar probe is 6 inches

 

[Eman85]

I used the Auber 6" probe with a different meter as it's just a k type thermocouple. Now I have the Auber meter as it's 110v where my other meter was battery and momentary. The Auber is the easiest way to go.

 

[Megunticook]

I'm looking for which current Condar probe (probe length) to get for my Encore 2550.

This backstory is my perspective on cat probes.

When this was brand new the lack of a factory cat thermo resulted in buckling the refractory/catalyst chamber. That was under parts warranty so I had my sweep install. Learned a lot from this forum and got a cat therm to manage temp. My 1st cat therm was the old digital Condar model that is no longer manufactured (it worked great). I've since given up on my 2nd, an Auber Instruments setup, as I've had zero success despite several goes. (Backwards 3's are not my thing...)

I also have the 2550. Currently using the old condar digital that's been discontinued. You're right, it works great. Mine quit working but I bought a new probe from condar and resurrected it. They may have a few left in stock. Will have to double check length when stove is cool but I believe it's just shy of 4 inches.

The new condar probes seem not as good--believe you have to look behind the stove to view and not as accurate.

I have an Auber on hand as backup but haven't used it yet. Got the 6 inch probe but it will stick way out the back of the stove.

 

[JV_Thimble]

I used the Auber 6" probe with a different meter as it's just a k type thermocouple. Now I have the Auber meter as it's 110v where my other meter was battery and momentary. The Auber is the easiest way to go.

Thanks for your thoughts. I may give the Auber another go down the track, but don't want to open that can of worms just yet.

 

[gthomas785]

If you get "EEEE" on the Auber it just means that either the connection is loose or the probe is bad done toasted. I have had 1 probe go bad in 5 years. I think it's a pretty great setup and much more responsive than you'll get with any bimetallic probe.

 

[JV_Thimble]

I also have the 2550. Currently using the old condar digital that's been discontinued. You're right, it works great. Mine quit working but I bought a new probe from condar and resurrected it. They may have a few left in stock. Will have to double check length when stove is cool but I believe it's just shy of 4 inches.

The new condar probes seem not as good--believe you have to look behind the stove to view and not as accurate.

I have an Auber on hand as backup but haven't used it yet. Got the 6 inch probe but it will stick way out the back of the stove.

Thanks for this. After Eman85's post I just pulled my Auber probe out of the 2550 and it's about 8". So, I think the 6" model will be perfect for you.

 

[JV_Thimble]

If you get "EEEE" on the Auber it just means that either the connection is loose or the probe is bad done toasted. I have had 1 probe go bad in 5 years. I think it's a pretty great setup and much more responsive than you'll get with any bimetallic probe.

Interesting. I didn't get it to work from day 1, and I've had the probe in and set up with EEE's reading for 2-3 years now. I recall following some instructions I printed out several times. Sounds like a bad connection and that it may be worth giving the setup another look.

 

[Eman85]

Some of the Aubers had a different plug. Mine is a newer one that uses a standard mini plug and I ordered my sensor like that as that's what all of my other meters use. As far as being long once you set it in the correct depth mark it. I also made a bracket for it with thing plumbers strap to keep it from moving.

 

[JV_Thimble]

If you get "EEEE" on the Auber it just means that either the connection is loose or the probe is bad done toasted. I have had 1 probe go bad in 5 years. I think it's a pretty great setup and much more responsive than you'll get with any bimetallic probe.

Turns out you were quite correct. The red connector which connected to the lead with the yellow insulation was hanging loose. The blue connection which was connected to the red insulated lead was loose (not really secure). From there I put new connectors on the wires, crimped them, and both came right off with a slight tug to check connectivity. Seems to me I'm not using my crimp tool correctly. I have used the 'noninsul closure' (guess I always have for lots of applications) and not the 'insul closure' part of the tool.

I've used up all of the crimp connectors trying to get this to work. Can you guys point me to the appropriate size/type? They're much smaller than anything I've used before.

 

[gthomas785]

Turns out you were quite correct. The red connector which connected to the lead with the yellow insulation was hanging loose. The blue connection which was connected to the red insulated lead was loose (not really secure). From there I put new connectors on the wires, crimped them, and both came right off with a slight tug to check connectivity. Seems to me I'm not using my crimp tool correctly. I have used the 'noninsul closure' (guess I always have for lots of applications) and not the 'insul closure' part of the tool.

I've used up all of the crimp connectors trying to get this to work. Can you guys point me to the appropriate size/type? They're much smaller than anything I've used before.

I'm just using the green screw terminal block and put the stripped wire right in and tighten it down. Is this different from what you have?

 

[Budman93]

I also have the 2550. Currently using the old condar digital that's been discontinued. You're right, it works great. Mine quit working but I bought a new probe from condar and resurrected it. They may have a few left in stock. Will have to double check length when stove is cool but I believe it's just shy of 4 inches.

The new condar probes seem not as good--believe you have to look behind the stove to view and not as accurate.

I have an Auber on hand as backup but haven't used it yet. Got the 6 inch probe but it will stick way out the back of the stove.

I used one of the auber 6 inch probes. It was too long because of the heat shield on the back of my encore 2550. I contacted them about it and they said it is ok to bend them if you do it properly with a tubing bender to make an even bend without kinks. I bent it not quite to 90 degrees with a 1/8 in to 1/4 inch bender from harbor freight and it works great.

 

[JV_Thimble]

Spent some effort with the Auber AT-100. Looks like I had challenges with:

• Cable connectivity
• Wrong thermocouple type setting (I have K)

I've since verified all of the settings and made sure the cable polarity is correct per instructions.

Now the initial (cold stove) readings are higher than ambient but within the realm of reason (70 to 85 F, I presumed). When I get the stove going, the 'temperature' drops precipitously. Presently, the stove top is ~+300 F and the probe is 'reading' -250 F. This temperature drops until the screen goes to all 3s/backward Es.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[JV_Thimble]

I'm just using the green screw terminal block and put the stripped wire right in and tighten it down. Is this different from what you have?

View attachment 334812

That's actually exactly what I have. I also just ended up using the bare wires stripped back and tightened down. Turns out you need to open the screws very wide to ensure the wire is firmly connected after tightening it up.

 

[gthomas785]

Spent some effort with the Auber AT-100. Looks like I had challenges with:

• Cable connectivity
• Wrong thermocouple type setting (I have K)

I've since verified all of the settings and made sure the cable polarity is correct per instructions.

Now the initial (cold stove) readings are higher than ambient but within the realm of reason (70 to 85 F, I presumed). When I get the stove going, the 'temperature' drops precipitously. Presently, the stove top is ~+300 F and the probe is 'reading' -250 F. This temperature drops until the screen goes to all 3s/backward Es.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Sounds like the polarity is reversed.

 

[JV_Thimble]

Sounds like the polarity is reversed.

That's the ticket!

Thanks!