Re: portable toilet recommendation?
After much deliberation and a good review in Practical Sailor, I
purchased an Airhead composting toilet. It's light and compact,
although somewhat taller than a portapotti...19 inches. The
construction and materials are of high quality...polyethylene &
stainless steel. Installation is simple...just one vent connection
through the deck and a 12 volt connection for the vent fan. The
self-contained toilet unit is attached to the deck with simple
spring clamps, so it would be fairly easy to move it from one boat
to another, or even ashore in the off season.
From the instructions and design, it's obvious that the use of the
Airhead requires an intimacy with your own 'output' that an "out
of sight, out of mind" flush toilet, or even a "don't look down" toilet
do not. Solids and liquid are deposited and disposed of
separately, the former to fertilize the flowerbed after three months
decomposition and the latter into the first available flush toilet ,or
perhaps overboard when offshore. Occasional additions of peat
moss to the solid contents tankmaintains a suitable moisture
level.
As soon as this Airhead is installed and in use I'll make another
report.
Lee Rust
Rochester NY
purchased an Airhead composting toilet. It's light and compact,
although somewhat taller than a portapotti...19 inches. The
construction and materials are of high quality...polyethylene &
stainless steel. Installation is simple...just one vent connection
through the deck and a 12 volt connection for the vent fan. The
self-contained toilet unit is attached to the deck with simple
spring clamps, so it would be fairly easy to move it from one boat
to another, or even ashore in the off season.
From the instructions and design, it's obvious that the use of the
Airhead requires an intimacy with your own 'output' that an "out
of sight, out of mind" flush toilet, or even a "don't look down" toilet
do not. Solids and liquid are deposited and disposed of
separately, the former to fertilize the flowerbed after three months
decomposition and the latter into the first available flush toilet ,or
perhaps overboard when offshore. Occasional additions of peat
moss to the solid contents tankmaintains a suitable moisture
level.
As soon as this Airhead is installed and in use I'll make another
report.
Lee Rust
Rochester NY
Yea, that is the Peggie Hall article. A must read for any body
installing a head with holding tank.
HJ
Peter Lenihan wrote:
installing a head with holding tank.
HJ
Peter Lenihan wrote:
>--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hallman" <brucehallman@y...>
>wrote:
>
>
>>Also, I recall, the toilet lid is gasketed air
>>tight and the fan is switched to only turn on
>>when the toilet lid is lifted. I don't recall
>>that PB&F specify the use of toilet chemicals.
>>
>>
>
>Right you are Bruce. Here is a link to some further info. on dealing
>with human waste on boats:
>http://boatbuilding.com/content/sanitation.html
>
>The key to success with the DLD is good air circulation and
>definitely no chemicals which would stop the feeding frenzy from
>micro-organisms.
>
>Peter Lenihan
>
>
>
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hallman" <brucehallman@y...>
wrote:
with human waste on boats:
http://boatbuilding.com/content/sanitation.html
The key to success with the DLD is good air circulation and
definitely no chemicals which would stop the feeding frenzy from
micro-organisms.
Peter Lenihan
wrote:
> Also, I recall, the toilet lid is gasketed airRight you are Bruce. Here is a link to some further info. on dealing
> tight and the fan is switched to only turn on
> when the toilet lid is lifted. I don't recall
> that PB&F specify the use of toilet chemicals.
with human waste on boats:
http://boatbuilding.com/content/sanitation.html
The key to success with the DLD is good air circulation and
definitely no chemicals which would stop the feeding frenzy from
micro-organisms.
Peter Lenihan
--- "JW Kelley" <jonkel49@y...> wrote:
tight and the fan is switched to only turn on
when the toilet lid is lifted. I don't recall
that PB&F specify the use of toilet chemicals.
I also think they approve of the use of the
old fashion L.F. Herreshoff cedar bucket, when
the situation permits.
> those little green buildings setAlso, I recall, the toilet lid is gasketed air
> PB&F just adds a fan to control the
> odor when you open the lid and a pump to empty
> it with.
tight and the fan is switched to only turn on
when the toilet lid is lifted. I don't recall
that PB&F specify the use of toilet chemicals.
I also think they approve of the use of the
old fashion L.F. Herreshoff cedar bucket, when
the situation permits.
I've got a thetford 6gal with a pumpout fitting. It seems to work
pretty well, though I'd really like to have an airhead composting.
It is kind of a cross between Bolger's DLD and the Sunmar. At $750
US, its not in this year's budget for me.
pretty well, though I'd really like to have an airhead composting.
It is kind of a cross between Bolger's DLD and the Sunmar. At $750
US, its not in this year's budget for me.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "captreed2000" <captreed@a...> wrote:
> Can anyone point me
> > to an objective survey? Alternatively (and not too graphically)
> would anyone
> > like to offer recommendations or warnings regarding particular
> units?
> >
> > cheers
> > Derek
>
> Hi Derek,
>
> I've used Thetford porta potties for years and they work well. A
> three gallon holding tank will last one person a week in continuous
> use. The only portapotti deodorant that seems to work is the one
that
> contains formaldehyde. The deodorants that don't contain hazardous
> materials only work a day or two.
>
> I did try a portapotti from West Marine, but that brand (whose name
> escapes me) had a cap on the pour spout that was made out of a soft
> material and would deform causing leaks.
>
> Reed
Can anyone point me
I've used Thetford porta potties for years and they work well. A
three gallon holding tank will last one person a week in continuous
use. The only portapotti deodorant that seems to work is the one that
contains formaldehyde. The deodorants that don't contain hazardous
materials only work a day or two.
I did try a portapotti from West Marine, but that brand (whose name
escapes me) had a cap on the pour spout that was made out of a soft
material and would deform causing leaks.
Reed
> to an objective survey? Alternatively (and not too graphically)would anyone
> like to offer recommendations or warnings regarding particularunits?
>Hi Derek,
> cheers
> Derek
I've used Thetford porta potties for years and they work well. A
three gallon holding tank will last one person a week in continuous
use. The only portapotti deodorant that seems to work is the one that
contains formaldehyde. The deodorants that don't contain hazardous
materials only work a day or two.
I did try a portapotti from West Marine, but that brand (whose name
escapes me) had a cap on the pour spout that was made out of a soft
material and would deform causing leaks.
Reed
Sure you have Peter, ever use one of those little green buildings set
up at sporting events and so forth. Their DLD heads. PB&F just adds
a fan to control the odor when you open the lid and a pump to empty
it with. Basiclly it's an inside out-house. As to portables it's
very subjective as to which is best. It seems to depend on the size
of the back side using it. Some are bigger and easier to use then
others if your back side is like mine.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Peter Lenihan" <ellengaest@b...>
wrote:
up at sporting events and so forth. Their DLD heads. PB&F just adds
a fan to control the odor when you open the lid and a pump to empty
it with. Basiclly it's an inside out-house. As to portables it's
very subjective as to which is best. It seems to depend on the size
of the back side using it. Some are bigger and easier to use then
others if your back side is like mine.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Peter Lenihan" <ellengaest@b...>
wrote:
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Derek Waters" <dgw@d...> wrote:to
> . Can anyone point me
> > to an objective survey? Alternatively (and not too graphically)
> would anyone
> > like to offer recommendations or warnings regarding particular
> units?
> >
> > cheers
> > Derek
>
> Derek,
> I once did want the SUNMARE composting head for WINDERMERE but
> was informed by Bolger that,in colder climates,these units a)do not
> work all that well,and b)require a lot of electricity if they are
> work at all in the cold. This was based on there own experience onthe
> board RESOLUTION and after going through 2 units and dealing with
> manufacturer in an attempt to find a "fix" concluded that theseunits
> work best on boats kept in warmer climates.and
> I believe the result of their experience led them to explore
> settle on their DLD(don't look down) head set up. Unfortunately,I'm
> not yet at the stage where I can give a report on the efficienciesor
> practicalities of the DLD Head.
>
> Sincerely,
> Peter Lenihan
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Derek Waters" <dgw@d...> wrote:
. Can anyone point me
> to an objective survey? Alternatively (and not too graphically)
would anyone
> like to offer recommendations or warnings regarding particular
units?
>
> cheers
> Derek
Derek,
I once did want the SUNMARE composting head for WINDERMERE but
was informed by Bolger that,in colder climates,these units a)do not
work all that well,and b)require a lot of electricity if they are to
work at all in the cold. This was based on there own experience on
board RESOLUTION and after going through 2 units and dealing with the
manufacturer in an attempt to find a "fix" concluded that these units
work best on boats kept in warmer climates.
I believe the result of their experience led them to explore and
settle on their DLD(don't look down) head set up. Unfortunately, I'm
not yet at the stage where I can give a report on the efficiencies or
practicalities of the DLD Head.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
Hi Derek,
"Practical Sailor" did a review of pottys a number of years ago. I
still have the magazine somewhere and can scan and send it off to you
if I have your email address.
Bob Chamberland
"Practical Sailor" did a review of pottys a number of years ago. I
still have the magazine somewhere and can scan and send it off to you
if I have your email address.
Bob Chamberland
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Derek Waters" <dgw@d...> wrote:
> Hi Group
>
> For once the great online library that is the Web has let me down...
>
> I cannot find a useful comparison review of differing manufacturers
versions
> of the humble 'portapotti' anywhere. No, really!
>
> Given different people's recollections of and reactions to them it seems
> unlikely that all portable toilets were created equal. Can anyone
point me
> to an objective survey? Alternatively (and not too graphically)
would anyone
> like to offer recommendations or warnings regarding particular units?
>
> cheers
> Derek
Hi Group
For once the great online library that is the Web has let me down...
I cannot find a useful comparison review of differing manufacturers versions
of the humble 'portapotti' anywhere. No, really!
Given different people's recollections of and reactions to them it seems
unlikely that all portable toilets were created equal. Can anyone point me
to an objective survey? Alternatively (and not too graphically) would anyone
like to offer recommendations or warnings regarding particular units?
cheers
Derek
For once the great online library that is the Web has let me down...
I cannot find a useful comparison review of differing manufacturers versions
of the humble 'portapotti' anywhere. No, really!
Given different people's recollections of and reactions to them it seems
unlikely that all portable toilets were created equal. Can anyone point me
to an objective survey? Alternatively (and not too graphically) would anyone
like to offer recommendations or warnings regarding particular units?
cheers
Derek