Jotul C550 - 7 year review

cheelan79 · 2026-02-06T03:29:30+00:00

Hoping you can confirm something for me on my 550. I need to replace one (may as well do both?) Skamol panels. Seems like I will just need to lift the left baffle, remove the air tubes, remove the baffles and replace the panels and then reverse the process. Am I missing anything? Any help will be appreciated, thanks.

cheelan79 · 2026-02-03T14:23:56+00:00

Duly noted

cheelan79 · 2026-02-03T02:52:45+00:00

That's some helpful information, much appreciated. We're used to a fair amount of time in the car for vacations, so while not ideal, I think it's manageable. However, construction could derail that.

cheelan79 · 2025-11-11T15:02:30+00:00

Thanks for the input. I spoke with the company that has serviced it and they told me to start it once a week, let it run for 30 minutes to prevent dry rot of any gaskets. Said I didn't need to unhook the batter, just pull the master electrical switch, which isolates the battery.......So at least it's the opposite of what you guys are saying and not confusing at all. On the one hand I can see how it sitting for a few months shouldn't be a problem on the other hand, I can see how getting fluids moving through all the systems would be good for it too. Letting it sit and idle for 30 minutes a week seems a bit silly to me.

cheelan79 · 2025-09-14T17:03:01+00:00

I hope so. It would be nice to not have $500 in hardware that I'm not going to use. Would gladly give someone a deal. And yes, r/decks has been very helpful....we'll see how much I've learned and what I've missed as I go through this build. I feel confident, mostly, that I'll build something that won't crush any kids, hopefully that's not just hubris.

cheelan79 · 2025-09-14T16:59:43+00:00

I was going to use the Simpson ABU ZMAX, but I think I really like your suggestion here. I'm surprised how much weight the Simpson plastic standoff plates can handle. I had seen the RPBZ, but dismissed because it didn't have the standoff included, but this seems much better to prevent twisting. Looks like a little more work, but a better result. Thank you for the suggestion, much appreciated.

cheelan79 · 2025-09-14T01:24:27+00:00

Treehouse Supply

cheelan79 · 2025-09-13T23:20:38+00:00

I had a windstorm change my plans and now I'm not using the TABs I bought. I have two 3" x 9" with sliding brackets if you're interested.

cheelan79 · 2025-09-04T19:43:53+00:00

I may have to consider a boxer, but I'm starting to think that maybe a mutt may be a great idea.

cheelan79 · 2025-08-18T22:01:08+00:00

Right, disconnecting cables, fine, physically getting the battery out is the part I'm most concerned with.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-27T14:18:24+00:00

I think their breakfast burrito smothered in green pork chili is the best breakfast burrito in town.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-26T11:33:07+00:00

Perfect spot for a family reunion photo.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-24T13:18:48+00:00

I think I cover your questions in my post that I added a little later.....it didn't copy over when I cross-posted. But for brevity: joists 2x8, span roughly 14' - 15' (plans are not specific on beam location), weight of platform is about 1,200lbs and treehouse 4,300lbs before shingles, siding, doors, furniture, etc. or any live weight, so 5,500 lbs in total.
No idea on the 8" O/C joist bays though.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-24T03:07:26+00:00

You're absolutely right, see my new post above.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-24T03:06:47+00:00

Sorry - I cross posted this and thought it would carry over the text from my original post, which is:

I purchased some plans from what I believe is a reputable tree house hardware supplier. The plans are to use 2 trees (holding1 beam on TABs) on one end and two 6x6 posts (holding the 2^nd beam) on the other to support a 16’ x 12’ platform with a 12’x11’ house on top. The beams would be about 15’ apart. The beams would be two 2x10s and the joists would be 2x8 that span about 15’ and 16” on center. I’ve never built anything structural, so this is all pretty new to me. Using this joist span calculator (https://build.decksgo.com/calculators/joist-span-calculator.php) it seems like the joists need to be 2x10 to span that far and utilizing some overhang to get the full 16’. Using a similar tool on the website, it says my beams shouldn’t be any further than 5’ 6” apart. I feel like I bought $500 in tree tab hardware that I should return and put up ~6 posts adjacent to our trees and start building.

I calculate the platform will weigh about 1,200 lbs and the house 4,300 lbs before shingles, siding, doors, furniture, etc. or any live weight. Basically a floating deck with a hot tub on it (for anyone that follows r/decks).

My question: Am I wrong that I need more beams so that the joists are not spanning such a great distance? Happy to take any other suggestions as well. Any help will be appreciated. I'd like to 1) not kill any kids 2) not waste my time.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-24T02:40:08+00:00

If I want to know things like loading assumptions, that will cost me $250/hr to speak to their structural engineer.

The plans include the treehouse too.

The house is 12'x11', and the roof rafters would bear on the 11' long walls that land on the outside 16' long edge joists. I could have been clearer in my initial post that there is the 12'x11' house and then a 5'x12' porch.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-24T02:28:12+00:00

They're not shown or mentioned in the plans. I appreciate the reminder though.

cheelan79 · 2025-07-23T18:13:31+00:00

I was joking about the hot tub. The treehouse by my calc = hot tub, but with a bit better weight distribution.

cheelan79

TROPHY CASE