The $10-20 (or even free) composting toilet

[Mr. Fixit]

Great idea!!! I had to take my air head apart to repair the lid that closes. It has a stainless plate that fits in a pocket in the closing lid--it seperated--I "glued it in with caulk--now the lid does not want to stay open--a lot of trouble for the cost of the thing!!! I am happy with the principle of the air head, however in my opinion the quality is not worth the cost of the unit. I will solve the return spring problem, for the cost it should not be necessary.

[bladedancer]

Right on Cap'n. Did exactly same thing for years in PNW but less elaborate set up. Had several small buckets, used ash from wood stove instead of peat.  When buckets were filled I buried composted poop ashore. Had same system ashore and incorporated composted poop in compost pile. Never a problem. Can't wait to read rest of posts...this is gonna be good. Mikey

[maxiSwede]

been following this thread with intrest, since we don not have a so 'called septic' tank onboard.


I just wonder what one's supposed to do, if peat is not to be found where one is..?  like the Tuamotus or similar    paper, palmleafs, hmmm

It's an interesting idea, for sure, I our dear CapnK is worth a grog or two for his daring experiments!
 

[LooseMoose]

A little peat moss goes a long way and after more than a year with our self built composting toilet (two people full time live aboard) we still have not used up our first 20 lb bag.

That said where ever you might sail there are people who grow things and people who sell peat moss or coconut husk etc... Not a problem!

Bob
http://boatbits.blogspot.com/
http://fishingundersail.blogspot.com/
http://islandgourmand.blogspot.com/

[maxiSwede]

A little peat moss goes a long way and after more than a year with our self built composting toilet (two people full time live aboard) we still have not used up our first 20 lb bag.

That said where ever you might sail there are people who grow things and people who sell peat moss or coconut husk etc... Not a problem!

Thanks, good input. You're right of course. 90% of the time no probs

[CapnK]

Well, I can state the following, with complete humility and while being backed up by 2 sailFar members and a 3rd "contributor' (however extant she may be while not having a bona fide sailFar membership at this particular time) -

No, Craig, my "poo" doesn't stink. 

CJ and L *and* Rachel can attest to that fact, having been close aboard the 'head' on Katie Marie.

This is not to say that I am some hyper-exemplary specimen of Human.   Nope, not at all!!!

Instead, just that the composting head idea *does* work - and very, VERY well!

I mean - if it can cover up the smell *I* produce, it should work really, REALLY good for "normal folks', right? 

CJ & L, and Rachel too, have been aboard and sat for a bit rather quite possibly uncomfortably close to where Rockefeller would have been reading the New York Times every AM, if you catch my meaning, and - well, ask THEM - unless they lied to me (not "unpossible", considering how much beer and rum CJ & L can drink...  ), there was little or no smell.

PS - No Comments from the Peanut Gallery... 

[CharlieJ]

I am willing to accept the Capt's word that the head works. While I can confirm that I detected no odor emanating from it, there is not enough rum in the world to get me to see if there was actually anything it. 

- posted by the L of CJ and L

[Capt. Tony]

I am willing to accept the Capt's word that the head works. While I can confirm that I detected no odor emanating from it, there is not enough rum in the world to get me to see if there was actually anything it. 

- posted by the L of CJ and L

Now that's  rich!!

[s/v Faith]

Well, I can state the following, with complete humility and while being backed up by 2 sailFar members and a 3rd "contributor' (however extant she may be while not having a bona fide sailFar membership at this particular time) -

No, Craig, my "poo" doesn't stink.  

CJ and L *and* Rachel can attest to that fact, having been close aboard the 'head' on Katie Marie.

This is not to say that I am some hyper-exemplary specimen of Human.  Nope, not at all!!!

Instead, just that the composting head idea *does* work - and very, VERY well!

I mean - if it can cover up the smell *I* produce, it should work really, REALLY good for "normal folks', right?  

CJ & L, and Rachel too, have been aboard and sat for a bit rather quite possibly uncomfortably close to where Rockefeller would have been reading the New York Times every AM, if you catch my meaning, and - well, ask THEM - unless they lied to me (not "unpossible", considering how much beer and rum CJ & L can drink...   ), there was little or no smell.

Folie a deux*

PS - No Comments from the Peanut Gallery...  

  We can not move forward as long as you deny help...  





_{* Folie a deux:....from the French for "a madness shared by two") is a rare psychiatric syndrome in which symptoms of a delusional belief are transmitted from one individual to another...}

[nowell]

Hey Kurt, can we get an update on how this has been working for you? Assuming your still using it?

[s/v Faith]

Hey Kurt, can we get an update on how this has been working for you? Assuming your still using it?

He has been having trouble posting, my theory is that it has to do with the build up of methane below decks....


 




 

[CapnK]

Still working fine. Works so well, in fact, that it is the way I will go (no pun intended  ) for my 'septic system' from here on out...

Will be making an improved version down the road, one that is:

1: sealed better - not due to smells, but because of flies - smell is not a problem, at all, ever, whereas with this cheap set up I have had fly 'invasions' twice during the summer - solved by changing the peat, and prevented from happening again after the second time by using a piece of no-see-um netting that goes over the top of the bucket. Remember - this rig is basically wide-open at the top, without that netting. Easy fix, for not much of a problem...

2: has a better 'mixing' solution. This is an upright bucket, thus the lower corner is at 90* to the walls, and a mixing paddle cannot get all the way into that area. Plan on making a 'bucket' that is round-bottomed, to solve that problem. Crude illustration of first idea for this attached...

[Steve Bean]

This sounds like something I want to do.  I do have a question about the pee that is separated.  Is dumping this overboard considered a "discharge" in a "No-discharge" zone?
Steve

[CapnK]

Steve - First, IANAL (I am not a lawyer - but I did stay on my boat last night... ), but the best answer I have seen for this question is that the regs specify that discharge can only contain a certain number of particulate solids per quantity (don't know the numbers, & guess they may vary from locale to locale). Urine contains none, so argued that way, it would seem to be legal wherever you can/could discharge.

If a place is designated "No Discharge", though, I imagine that they mean "0", no discharging, period, so if a government functionary/representative saw you dumping something, they might press the issue.

IMCO, of course. Others may have a better take...

[s/v Faith]

Sssssooooooo........

... from a bucket to a box huh?

  Kinda like something I have seen before......

might try a pet store, down the 'cat supplies' isle... 

[Steve Bean]

 
Thanks, CapnK.  I did a quick search for "no discharge regulation." 
EPA New England's website refers to: "treated and untreated sewage."  I'll see what else I can find.

[s/v Faith]

The next prototype;



Final (more advanced) model (it's even self cleaning);


\

 

[Tim]

Umh! I think the "crew" might take exception to this one.

[JWalker]

I don't think the advanced model will compost.
 

[Oldrig]

INALE (I'm Not A Lawyer Either), but I believe that dumping liquid waste in a no-discharge zone (NDZ) is contrary to the law. I think that even peeing over the side is illegal in a NDZ.

That said, I know of a certain sailor (I know him very, very well, but would have to plead the Fifth Amendment before going further) who separates liquid from solid wastes by carrying an empty laundry detergent bottle with him, in the cockpit or in the head compartment. On day sails, this unnamed person brings the liquid waste home and dumps it in the toilet like a good citizen.

But if he's at sea for several days, well ...

--Joe