Composting toilets

[EMDF9A]

As I am beginning my search for my new home (Class A RV) and being from Seattle... a green city... I was wondering about composting toilets. Has anyone installed them? If so ow do you like it? Any drawbacks?

[RVingDutchman]

Hi,
I'm afraid I can not tell you a whole lot about extensive experiences yet since we only installed it a few month ago and haven't even made any significant trips with it, Yes we're using it because it's there and I am working around the MoHo all the time so why should I run back to the house right!

And it's great, No smell No Water Waste and by making the right toilet choice no Pee bottles to empty as you have to with some models.

We're leaving in a few weeks for a good long trip and I know It's going to be great not having to worry about the black tank and having extra room for grey water.

We got ours from Nature's Head, they have several models and good service.

Best regards,

Ed

[jenandjon]

what do you do with it when its full?

[RayJr]

It's like a cat litter box, no thanks. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[RVingDutchman]

So much misinformation so much guessing and Innuendo, Why don't people even bother to google or wiki it before they make silly remarks?
No it's not like a cat litter box and and Yes it needs fixing! (the old toilet that is ).
A modern Compost Toilet Like ours works on the separate and dry method!
Separate the urine from the feces and dry the feces with constant air flow from just a simple tiny computer fan.
Cause when you mix it is when you get the messy stinky mess!!!!!
The toilet container is lined with a biodegradable bag that is big enough for about 4 to 6 weeks for 2 people then you tie the bag closed (remember there is no smell after a few hours of last use) with the very convenient tie-straps and remove the bag for further composting or discard.

The obvious advantageous are no water use for the toilet, no need for a Black Tank, The Pee can go in the Grey Tank and is plumbed direct to it and the old Black Tank can be used as additional Grey tank space! There are Compost Toilets that have their own Pee tanks that need to be emptied every few days, we chose this less troublesome method.
No More Black Tank Spill Disasters!

Our Toilet is equipped with a flap that closes automatically when you get up so you don't see into the pale and the smell stays under the lid and is fed of to the outside.
How much easier can it be, get rid of a bag of dry matter once a month, or deal with all the black tank has to offer? Yuck!

We had to raise the base 2.5" so we could cap the old toilet tube instead of removing it, in case a next owner would want to return it to the original configuration. I still have some finishing to do.

Regards,

Ed

[jenandjon]

From what I know about composting toilets is when its full you use it for fertlizer in the garden or put it in your compost pile. When you are on the road what do you do when its full? You don't have your garden or compost pile along with you obviously. So where do you empty it? Just throw it in the trash can?

[RVingDutchman]

There are different rules for different States But as far as I know you can get rid of it in the trash or you can burry it in the bush or you can spread it between trees and bushes for further composting!

You actually get three pales with it and they recommend that you move the bag to a second pale and leave it to compost for another 6 to 8 weeks and mix with soil or shavings before spreading it in the garden.

BTW. they recommend NOT using human manure on edible's gardens but only on decorative or tree and bush gardens!

Like I said different locales may have different laws or rules!

Regards,

Ed

[Duke48]

We used a composting head on our sailboat.. It worked great. One thing we learned is to be sure the lid, vent line and other access points into the solids holding compartment are well sealed or screened to prevent the possibility of insect infestation.

[NeilV]

My wife for some years worked for Clivus Multrum who manufactured composting toilet systems for home, office and portable restroom facilities and those units used a saw dust starter in the composting bin and only needed to be emptied once a year. The compost was very similar to Milorganite Lawn Fertilizer. The units used a BioSun Solar Roof to power the vent fans and had a battery backup unit. If the vent failed they also had a built in fire suppresion system since once waste decomposition goes anaerobic then methane gas build up can occure which is not a good thing.


The systems worked very well and you can find them in a number of National, State and County parks along with US Military and Forestry Service camps.

[RVingDutchman]

Two Really great points there from NeilV and Duke48, the Kit we got came with an assortment of vent pipes and screen closures to make sure of avoiding the bug issue and the toilet itself has a closing lid that disappears when you sit down
As far as the Anaerobic decomposition goes even if the vent goes off, the pathway is open enough to the outside that gas buildup is unlikely and the time and dry conditions are even more unlikely to sustain the right environment for that to be possible!

But something to be aware of nevertheless. I guess?

Regards,

Ed

[Karlos]

Check out this blog and the videos on composting toilets in an RV. Pretty informative stuff.

rving

[plasma800]

Contact Gone With The Wynns, they have had one for a while now and would be happy to tell you alll;llllll about tit.

Google them.

O the link above it TO them. I'd email them. They seem receptive to that sort of stuff.

[RVingDutchman]

They are the ones that got me all excited about the possibilities

They're pro's at it! Except that they use the one that is not Pee Plumbed as I call it, they have a pee container that needs to be manually emptied every few days.
On ours I don't have to worry about that.
Just another step eliminated.

They're a great couple and will help you out anyway they can!

Regards,

ED

[Odin]

Which model did you purchase? The Nature's Head website only shows the pee bottle model...