My new fireview is definitely having a problem. I had it professionally installed last fall (2010) and used it lightly for that first season. It worked great.
But now, this season, something is definitely different -- and wrong.
A few weeks ago I had the chimney swept. I checked the cat, shone a flashlight through it and verified that I could see through every cell in the honeycomb. Then I did a small beak-in fire (~250 degrees). Since then I have had two fires and the cat has failed to light off. The first time I thought maybe I had bad wood. But this time I think something is wrong with the system.
Last year when I engaged the cat it would almost instantly start glowing and the stove top temp would rise quickly while the pipe temp dropped. I'd damp it down to <1 for the main burn.
Now there is no glow. The stove top temp rises at a lethargic rate. The split against the glass had a fresh-cut wood face after almost 20 minutes in the box. And it seems like it needs more air too. I am running it at about "1" on the damper.
Now almost 50 minutes into my main burn the top is 400 and the pipe is 450. The cat is just starting to glow.
This sucks. The fireview ran like clockwork last year. I have no idea what is different now. I'd appreciate any advice you guys have.
But now, this season, something is definitely different -- and wrong.
A few weeks ago I had the chimney swept. I checked the cat, shone a flashlight through it and verified that I could see through every cell in the honeycomb. Then I did a small beak-in fire (~250 degrees). Since then I have had two fires and the cat has failed to light off. The first time I thought maybe I had bad wood. But this time I think something is wrong with the system.
Last year when I engaged the cat it would almost instantly start glowing and the stove top temp would rise quickly while the pipe temp dropped. I'd damp it down to <1 for the main burn.
Now there is no glow. The stove top temp rises at a lethargic rate. The split against the glass had a fresh-cut wood face after almost 20 minutes in the box. And it seems like it needs more air too. I am running it at about "1" on the damper.
Now almost 50 minutes into my main burn the top is 400 and the pipe is 450. The cat is just starting to glow.
This sucks. The fireview ran like clockwork last year. I have no idea what is different now. I'd appreciate any advice you guys have.