TROUBLESHOOTING
Operation of any wood heater can create problems. While the use of a catalytic-combustor equipped stove will
substantially lessen some of these problems-such as creosote formation-other traditional wood heater problems
may remain.
The following guidelines apply to operation of all wood heaters with problems related to catalytic heater addressed
where appropriate.
HEATER RELATED PROBLEMS
SECTION IV
Problem
1. Sluggish
Heater
Performance
2. High Fuel Consumption
Possible Cause
1. Obstruction
in
chimney
2. Improperly sealed trim kit or
direct connect kit
3. Manual damper in chimney is
closed
4. Closing bypass or exhaust
damper too soon
5. Poor
chimney
draft
6. Combustor is plugged
7. Wet or unseasoned wood
being burned
1. Inexperience in catalytic
operation
2. Improper Regulation of draft
or inlet air
3. Improper Door Fitting
4. Combustor not engaged
Solution
1. Check for and remove
obstruction
2. Check trim kit gasketing or
direct connect kit seal to
fireplace and gasket as
necessary to seal unit. Gasket
under stove if needed. Check
seal of direct connect and
correct.
3. Open manual damper and
wire shut with stainless steel
wire or remove damper
4. Follow
New Buck
instructions for proper firing
procedures
5. Improper chimney height or
wrong size flue being used.
Cooler temperatures caused
by external chimney.
6. See section in “Combustor
Related Problems”
7. Burn dry, seasoned wood
1. Operate stove with desired
heat output in mind. Do not
be overly concerned with
maintaining light-off
temperatures
2. Close inlet air control as
much as possible to maintain
desired heat output. Check
gaskets. Reinstall fiberglass
gasketing around doors and
glass as necessary.
3. Check door gasket. Check
adjustment of door latch.
4. Put combustor in operating
position in retrofit or close
bypass damper in stove
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