composting toilets

[Steve S]

I'm doing some research on composting toilets as I'm thinking about installing one in my trailer if its feasible.
Has anyone done this and have any complaints about it or has it all been good :)

[curlyfungirl]

Why would you want to? I have never used a stationary one that did not smell "fresh as a flower".

[hankaye]

Steve S, Howdy;

Why ??? It's only there for about a week.
Hardly enough time to get any 'action' going.

hank

[Steve S]

If I can't hook up to sewer where I'm permanently parked then this might be an option.

[geo]

Steve -

If you are considering installing a composting toilet inside your RV, take a close look at the size, weight, and processing time. I think you will find a "mobile composting toilet" solution rather prohibitive. Now, if you are thinking about a "composting toilet outhouse", well that might work. In the RV, there are weight and power issues, and then there is the "compost take-out" issue. Yes, there would no longer be the black tank "problems or need", but then you are talking about a larger area in the limited space of the RV bath to put in a toilet with the dimensions around 76cm high by 60cm deep by 50cm wide. That is a fair-sized throne! Plus a possible 90kg weight in one concentrated spot. And venting. And need 97cm forward space to "pull out the drawer". Is this for one person? If not, those dimensions increase!

How about just contacting a porta-pottie company and check on one of the black tanks that are placed beneath construction trailers? Have them come out once a week and pump the waste out and be done with it?


Ron

[rschad]

There is also the issue of staring down on a pile of poop and toilet paper whenever you go to use the toilet. That is something my wife wouldn't like regardless of odours.
I am betting if your trailer ever gets really warm while you are away you might return and think your entire trailer was a composting toilet.

Have you considered the type that incinerate the waste?

[hankpage]

There is also the issue of staring down on a pile of poop and toilet paper whenever you go to use the toilet. That is something my wife wouldn't like regardless of odours.
I am betting if your trailer ever gets really warm while you are away you might return and think your entire trailer was a composting toilet.

Have you considered the type that incinerate the waste?

Electric toilets are expensive (http://incinolet.com/aboutus_2.htm) But I think they are much more applicable to rvs than composting. They run around $1700 US and most use 15amps 110v ac . The waste never touches the bowl since a paper liner is used and flushed with the waste and reduced to ash. Very efficient but expensive $$$$$. http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=1117 Especially with kids.

[Ken / Claudia]

I used to electric style sometimes, the state has some placed about for workers only in remote areas. They seened to work good, they vent to outside and stink up the area nearby as they burn and they burn everytime used.

[ROLIN JOSEPH]

Steve,
Maybe Chris Hadfield can get you a used one for a nominal fee. :D

[hankpage]

Steve,
Maybe Chris Hadfield can get you a used one for a nominal fee. :D

Why did that make me think of Jiminy Cricket????? http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=2051 ♪ ♫ When you wish upon a star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUe2HcFUPSo)

[Steve S]

Steve,
Maybe Chris Hadfield can get you a used one for a nominal fee. :D

Hey I take offense to that :D oh hold on, who the hell is Chris Hadfield :D:D
I was looking at one from Sweden, runs around $1700.00 and it has no smell.
I can't remember the name..... chemo brain.......will post a link if I can remember the link.

[ROLIN JOSEPH]

We are glad you have a sense of humor Steve :)

[Steve S]

We are glad you have a sense of humor Steve :)

A sense of humor goes a long ways and it keeps people smiling :)
I've been living in and out of hosp battling cancer for a few years and my surgeon says it's my attitude and ability to laugh that gets me through everything :)

[Steve S]

So does anyone recommend a good composting toilet?

[Festus2]

Steve -

I have no experience with composting toilets but after a quick search on Google, I came up with 3 possibilities to consider:
1) Sun-Mar Mobile Composting Toilet. USCG certified. 110v or 12v options. $1825 cdn
2) Envirolet 110v or 12v $2300
3) Nature's Head

You might try checking each one of these out. Not cheap by any means and it seems that both cost and space are 2 of the major issues to consider.

[Steve S]

Thanks :) I'm really thinking about the natures head as I'm pretty sure I have the space.
It requires 18 x 22 so there should be lots of room.
After inquiring about the bylaws about sewage at city hall and the cost it's more cost effective to go with a composting set up.

[pjinthedaks]

We have a Nature's Head at our cabin. Like it a lot. Good service from the company as well. Should work fine in an rv application.

[Steve S]

Good to hear :) I'm going to order one this afternoon :)

[Steve S]

Well the crapper is at UPS and I'm picking up up in the morning:thumbsup:

[Festus2]

Steve -

Do we really need a progress report on a "crapper"?

[Steve S]

Steve -

Do we really need a progress report on a "crapper"?

Yes and I'm going to post lots of pics for the first month of using it.:D:rofl::party:

[Western Traveler]

I guess the days of a perforated 55 gal drum or two fitted with ABS pipe fittings and buried deep enough to perk while treated with enzymes are gone.

[Steve S]

I guess the days of a perforated 55 gal drum or two fitted with ABS pipe fittings and buried deep enough to perk while treated with enzymes are gone.

Yeah those days are gone, too bad as it's a great system. I put one at my cabin and I never had a problem for 15 yrs with it.

[patagoniadave]

Steve, will you post back a review a little later after you have had time to use it? I am strongly considering one.

Are you traveling, or parked in a permanent location?

Thanks

[Steve S]

I'll do that, I've been meaning to install it since the weekend but I've been too busy. I hope to get it in tomorrow as I'll have time in the afternoon.
I did get it out of the box so far.:)

[patagoniadave]

:-) maybe one of these will help?

http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/install-composting-toilet

http://www.thegoodluckduck.com/2012/10/composting-toilets-for-rvs-and-simple.html

[Steve S]

So D asked me how the toilet was going to flush with no water so everything went on hold to install the composter as I really don't want to put her through the trouble of pouring water down the crapper.
So off comes the toilet.
Then the shut off installed, next the expandable plug.
I didn't have a choice but to make a base in the shop as the flange was glued to the tank......arrrgggg......was hoping it was going to be a compression fitting so I could flush mount the composter.
I have to pull the skin off the left wall as the stack is in there, then change the fan from the right side to the left side and attach the hose to the stack.
Then run the hydro, attach the L brackets and screw things down.
I'm not bolting the base yet as it'll stay as a dry fit until I find a nice vinyl that'll match the flooring.

[Steve S]

I located the stack on the roof, transferred the measurements to the inside, determined that the stack was in the wall between the bedroom and the bathroom.
So off came the skin on the bedroom side, found the stack and I should be able to just get my angle hole saw in there.
I need a 1 1/2 compressing fitting which I'll pick up in the am.
So look at the poor excuse for a backer for a tv mount, what a joke, I can pull that off with my hands!
Also notice that the backer is just stapled to the studs, very poor engineering.
They used galvanized staples to hold it in, I guess they don't worry too much about costs as there's no need to use exterior products on interior walls.

[Steve S]

Tonight off and on between work I finished the install.
I took the hole saw and went through the inside wall, ran the flex hose to the T that I installed.
I kept everything in behind the false panel behind the composter to keep things neat and tidy.
The panel had the water hose for the original toilet going through it and what I did was enlarged the hole, turned the panel upside down and ran the flex through it.
I put a 90 on the composter and made my on compression fitting so I wouldn't have to glue it.
I snaked the hydro wire through the water hose cut out, under the shower, through the kitchen lower cabs and off to a live wire.
I hope this install helps anyone that plans to do this in the future:)

[Steve S]

Hi guys, it looks like I connected to a power wire that was not a continuous feed. I guess doing things @ 1 am makes the mind not think too well.:rolleyes:
I need a dedicated hot wire, am I going to have to run directly to the fuse box and if so is this going to be a pain?
I have an inline fuse so that's not going to be an issue.
Any ideas?
Also I notice 5 stars beside this thread, what does that mean?

[Festus2]

Also I notice 5 stars beside this thread, what does that mean?

Steve -
It means that your toilet has been given a 5 star rating by the local Health Inspector. You can get a sticker from him and place it on your bathroom door or right beside the Polar Package sticker.

Actually, it means that a member thought that the thread was excellent and gave it a 5 star rating.

[Steve S]

Steve -
It means that your toilet has been given a 5 star rating by the local Health Inspector. You can get a sticker from him and place it on your bathroom door or right beside the Polar Package sticker.

Actually, it means that a member thought that the thread was excellent and gave it a 5 star rating.

All right, another sticker for the trailer! When I'm done insulating the polar package stickers come off and I'm going to make and rename the stickers to all 4 season camping!
I actually am going to have an inspector come by and give me a stamp of approval for the plumbing that I've done. I talked to the company this morning that I bought the composter from and he said that the health inspector just calls him to verify that I bought one from him and they stamp it without even coming out.
I'm glad that there's 5 stars for this thread, it's nice to know that it's informative for members.

[Steve S]

K here's an update on the composter, I've emptied it for the first time and was pretty amazed. There was no smell at all, it was easy to empty and there was no clean up or spraying things down or taking it out of the TT.
The peat moss really does help things speed up and the built in fan does a great job.
I called the inspector for the final plumbing/sewer inspection and he just ran my company name and stamped it over the phone.
I was hoping he'd come out and do a visual as this was a first for me.

[Festus2]

I called the inspector for the final plumbing/sewer inspection and he just ran my company name and stamped it over the phone.
I was hoping he'd come out and do a visual as this was a first for me.

Steve -
Well, it looks like the composting toilet is working for you and meeting your expectations.
Nice to see :D our municipal and provincial government employees earning their money which comes from your (and my) pockets. :rolleyes: An over-the-phone and approved inspection? Am I surprised?