Watchman 9-90 User manual
Watchman™
Quality Manufactured
in North Carolina
Catalyst monitor with programmed audio signals
Models 9-90 and 9-90AC Fahrenheit temperature display
for catalytic wood-burning stoves & fireplaces
Owner’s Manual
Condar Company • 111 Kangaroo Drive • Columbus, North Carolina 28722 • 828.436.2102 •Condar.com
Model #9-90
1. Consult manufacturer’s manuals
When installing a Condar Watchman™ with any wood-
burning stove or fireplace, first consult manufacturer’s
manual for catalyst operation information. While visual
LED read-out is accurate within 50 degrees, target
operating temperature or engage-catalyst temperature
for your wood-burner may vary from general guide.
This product isn’t an automatic thermostat. Informed
and watchful consumer operation is required to operate
your wood-burner properly. Audio beep-codes are
programmed for signaling operation of typical wood-
burners, but may vary from instructions in your
specific product’s owner’s manual.
Condar’s factory in Columbus, North Carolina can
reprogram electronic beep codes to customize the
Watchman monitor for your application. There’s a labor
charge, and customer pays shipping. For information
about costs and turn-around time, please e-mail
2. Install batteries inside monitor (9-90 only)
Monitor power source: 9-volt battery included
Install from marked side only.
Remove three black end-cap screws only on the one
side that’s marked. You can use one or two alkaline
or lithium 9-volt batteries, but don’t mix battery types.
Two batteries operate in parallel, not in series. To install
optional second battery, push down (don’t remove) the
foam. Remove insulator cap from second pair of connector
wires to install a second battery.
3. Where to locate the electronic monitor
The 6-foot thermocouple cable allows you to locate
Watchman monitor well away from stove or fireplace.
Don’t place on any surface that will exceed 110 degrees.
If it’s to hang on a wall, use metal strip with screws,
included as optional hanger.
4. Locate the probe into your stove or fireplace
It’s important probe end is properly located, to measure
accurately catalysis temperatures within the combustor
“honeycomb.” ½ inch to 1½ inch away from the ceramic or
steel is ideal. Don’t have probe actually touching the
combustor. If manufacturer’s hole for locating probe &
cable isn’t obvious, or if you need to drill a hole, consult
your authorized dealer for instructions.
5. Attach cable to Watchman monitor
After locating probe & cable correctly, connect the yellow
K-plugs at the back of the monitor. When disconnecting
the K-plugs, carefully pull them apart. Never yank
the cable out, because this will break the delicate
thermocouple wire inside the K-plug. Repair to K-plug and
cable will be charged for, during Condar factory repairs.
All thermocouple cables and monitors are quality-tested
before leaving Condar’s North Carolina factory.
Replacing Thermocouple Cable/Probe
Replaceable thermocouple cable length: 6 feet
Probe length: 4 inches Probe diameter: ¼ inch
Maximum probe temperature rating: 1950 degrees
Excessive temperatures and long-term use will wear
out the high-temperature probe. If your batteries (9-90)
are fresh but the monitor begins to operate erratically,
you are probably due for a new cable-probe assembly.
Order on-line at Condar.com/watchman.html
DISPLAY TEMP button
Continuous display of temperature readings is
unnecessary and consumes battery power (9-90). Condar’s
programming of Watchman’s LED visual read-out limits
the temperature display to what’s necessary during
normal operation. In the target operating zone of 700
to 1350 degrees, you’ll view your current temperature,
briefly, once per minute automatically. A single press
to the manual DISPLAY TEMP button, at any time,
commands continuous read-out for 2½ minutes.
Lb in visual display (9-90 only)
The LED display signifies Low Battery.
Replace one battery. If read-out still continues and you
installed two, replace both batteries. Limit pressing the
DISPLAY TEMP button to minimize power consumption.
Warm-Up 250 to 650 degrees
During catalyst temperatures in this range, your monitor displays temperatures in 50-degree increments.
Some up-and-down readings are normal. At steady 500 degrees or higher, your ceramic catalytic
combustor can be engaged. Close the bypass and your catalyst will give you added heat and reduce
smoke emissions from the flue. If your stove or fireplace is equipped with a Condar SteelCat™ catalyst,
engage the combustor at 400 degrees. Display and power dot flashes every 3 seconds.
Target catalyst operating zone 700 to 1350 degrees
Efficient and safe fires are between 700 and 1350 degrees. Esthetics and heat desired from your fire
determine where you want to be. Watchman informs you when your catalyst is getting hotter than
necessary and is approaching overheating temperature at 1400 degrees. Many users discover they can
burn wood longer, still achieving a pretty fire, by adjusting draft to bring temperatures down. The nice
thing is, when your catalyst is engaged, even an apparent smoky fire is environmentally responsible,
because the combustor takes care of transforming smoke into extra heat with the only emissions being
minor water vapor and carbon dioxide. Display flashes every 1 minute; power dot flashes every 3 seconds.
To activate or deactivate the Watchman™, press
LED display operation guide:
COOL temperature display
At temperatures lower than 250 degrees, Watchman’s visual read-out says and doesn’t display
precise temperatures in normal 50-degree increments. This feature encourages you to accelerate fire
warm-up quickly for catalytic operation. Display and power dot flashes every 3 seconds.
Overheating catalyst 1400 degrees and higher
Above 1400 degrees a catalyst no longer achieves any additional catalytic benefit. At 1600 degrees adjust
draft immediately to avoid destruction of your catalytic combustor and potential damage to stove or
fireplace components. Display is continuous.
Audio Signal to ENGAGE CATALYST
Audio begins intermittent beep at 500 degrees through 600 degrees. This signal times out after 40 seconds,
whether you’ve chosen to engage your catalyst or not. It isn’t necessary to press the AUDIO SIGNAL button to
remain in audio mode. If you press the button once, it will take you out of audio mode, and the illuminated dot
will go out.
Intermittent beep code can be muted by pressing
Audio Signal for OVERHEATING
Audio begins intermittent beep at 1400 and continues through 1550 degrees. Adjust draft to bring operating
temperature down to the target operating zone of less than 1400 degrees. Above 1400 degrees a catalyst no
longer achieves any additional catalytic benefit in extra heat. If you find this signal irritating, press AUDIO
SIGNAL button once to extinguish the beep code and the illuminated dot will go out. After you return your stove
or fireplace to target temperature operating zone, the AUDIO SIGNAL feature will resume automatically and the
dot will illuminate.
Intermittent beep code can be muted by pressing
Audio Signal CATALYST DESTRUCTION and SAFETY
At 1600 degrees continuous warning beep code begins. This audio warning cannot be manually shut off, even by pressing
the AUDIO SIGNAL button. When you hear the continuous beep code, adjust draft immediately to avoid destruction of your
catalytic combustor and potential damage to stove/fireplace components. Continuous warning beep code cannot be muted.
AUDIO SIGNAL button:
During normal operations it isn’t necessary to press the AUDIO SIGNAL button. An illuminated dot in the lower
right corner of Temperature Display area (pointed to by the graphic around AUDIO SIGNAL button) affirms
you’re in programmed audio mode to generate beep codes automatically.Beep codes are generated by a
piezo type audio component in the monitor. Extensive audio signaling can cause batteries to wear down quickly.
NOTES:
Condar Watchman product warranties
Thermocouple cable-probe assemblies are warranted by
Condar Company for thirty days from installation, when
not subjected to temperatures exceeding 1950 degrees
Fahrenheit. Monitors are warranted for one year from
installation, when properly installed and operated.
Condar’s warranties are limited to failures of Condar’s
equipment only, and to repair or replacement of defective
equipment at Condar’s option. Condar Company assumes
no liabilities as to fitness of purpose, installation by
consumer purchasers or by resellers, or consequential
damages to other equipment or properties.
Catalyst Maintenance
For helpful tips about maintaining, inspecting,
and replacing a catalytic combustor visit
WoodstoveCombustors.com/Operation_Tips.html
Catalyst Failure
When a catalyst is engaged, emissions from a chimney
flue should look like white steam. Dirty smoke emissions
mean the catalytic reaction is incomplete; the catalyst
should be replaced.
To learn more about replacing catalytic combustors visit
WoodstoveCombustors.com/replacement.html
Copyright Condar Company, Columbus NC all rights reserved
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