iii
Clearance is the open space between your stove, or
stovepipe, and any combustible surface. A combustible sur-
face is a surface that burns (like wood, sheetrock, fabric, etc.).
Framed or sheet rock walls simply covered by brick or stone
are still considered combustible because heat will transfer
through those materials and dry out the combustible wall
behind.
Both your stove and your chimney pipe need to conform to
the required distances to combustible materials for the safety
of your home and your family. Clearance specifications and
information is in your manual (pg. 3-7). Read it carefully and
make sure your installation meets all requirements.
Please note that installation of any wood stove in a mobile
home has additional requirements that must be met. Because
mobile homes can be airtight, an outside air adapter connec-
tion from the stove down and out to an outside air source is
necessary for good air supply to your stove. This manual has
additional information on connecting an outside air adapter.
A pipe shield is necessary for the connection from the stove
to the stainless chimney and there must be a spark guard
screen on the chimney cap. Wood stoves cannot be installed
in bedroom areas of a mobile home.
6) Stove Operator
- The last part of a happy relationship
with your stove is in the day-to-day use. Learning to use a
catalytic stove means a little more participation on the
owner’s end, but the result is rewarding. Like learning to
drive a car, or ride a bicycle, it becomes second nature.
The catalyst will work when the firebox temperature is 500
degrees, roughly when your magnetic thermometer reads
200-250 degrees on the top of the stove or single wall connec-
tor pipe. For proper use, start your stove with dry kindling
and burn it for about 10 minutes with the bypass cover open.
Watch your magnetic thermometer. When it reaches 200-250
degrees, close the bypass cover to force the smoke through
the catalytic combustor. Smoke will then filter through the
honeycomb of the stainless catalytic combustor. The catalytic
combustor will activate and cause the gas vapors in the
smoke to burn, creating more heat inside your stove and
eliminating smoke.
EFFICIENCY &
EMISSIONS
EPA TEST DATA
Your Survival Hybrid Wood Stove is a small wood stove,
but is also:
• One of the cleanest woodburning stoves approved by
EPA;
• One of the most efficient wood stoves approved by EPA;
AVERAGE WOOD EMISSIONS:
1.13 g/hr
AVERAGE WOOD EFFICIENCY:
79.5%
HEAT OUTPUT WOOD (BTU/hr):
15,332-27,294
FACTORS EFFECTING
EFFICIENCY & EMISSIONS
1) Burn Rate:
The Survival Hybrid is able to attain its
highest efficiency and lowest emissions burning wood at a
low-medium burn rate. A lower burn rate gives the
combustor more time to effictively burn the volatile gases
as they enter into the catalytic combustor (pg. 16-18). When
operating your stove at a lower burn rate you will achieve
a cleaner burn over a longer period of time. Low burn rates
are also how you achieve desirable long burn times of 6-8+
hours.
2) Wood Quality:
Cord wood with a moisture content
between 15-22% is ideal for burning. The Survival Hybrid
will still burn wood with a higher moisture content with
great effectiveness, however, the energy loss at start up and
reloading is significant. During the first stage of wood
burning the moisture content within the wood is expelled
creating steam. The higher the moisture content the lesser
the available heat value.
Kiln Dried Wood:
Approximately 8,600 BTU available/per pound
20% Moisture Content:
Approximately 6,200 BTU available/per pound
50% Moisture Content:
Approximately 4,000 BTU available/per pound
3) Effective Wood Fire Starting:
The most effective method
for an emissions free start is a top down fire. A top down
fire is built with the larger splits on the bottom of the
firebox, the second layer should be medium sized splits,
and if possible running perpendicular to the large splits on
the bottom, and the third layer should be small splits. On
top of the small splits a generous amount of small very dry
kindling and newspaper will be placed at the top. The
newspaper and kindling can produce enough heat quickly
draw in secondary air and ignite the catalytic combustor
within minutes. You may need to leave the loading door
cracked open to allow enough oxygen in for a quick start.
Soon you should be able to engage the combustor and start
the clean burn cycle.
