NorthernFocus
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2014
- Messages
- 1,376
- Location
- Alaska
- Website
- www.northernfocusphotography.com
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-25 Classic
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT25910808
- Vessel Name
- Divine Focus
Rather than continuing with previous threads on composting heads, I thought I'd start this one specific to the Airhead and summarize our experience with it from install and through one full season of use.
Regarding the install, the worst/hardest part was ripping out the original MSD system. It's a nasty job that took at least as long as installing the airhead. Call it a full day of labor to remove the old system. The most difficult part of installing the airhead was mounting it in the limited space and with the step in the deck on the R25. My choice of vent location further complicated things as I ran the exhaust hose all the way across the boat to re-use the original generator exhaust fitting. The manufacturer basically made a disclaimer for an install with that long of a run of hose but it works fine. We did follow their advice to put the fan as close to the exhaust end as possible. All-in there was about a full day of labor involved for the installation. But with a design as you go job that labor was spread over three days in my case. One thing that helped was to initially fasten the head to the deck with double sided tape. We used it a couple of days and verified spacing before drilling holes and fastening it down for good. So, a day to pull out the old, and a day to install the new.
Regarding operation:
Good: 1) No maintenance other than dumping the liquids. 2) There is virtually no odor. Either in the head or near the exhaust. You can literally stick your nose right up to the exhaust and the only odor is a musty smell, not at all a sewage smell. 3) The solids tank lasted us all season without needing to be emptied. Two people, about 28 days total on the water. A few of those days we were in situations that one or both of us took care of our business ashore.
Bad: 1) The liquids tank has to be dumped every day. Unfortunately the little window to check level is basically useless. It is less than a single bladder full from the top. And overflowing the liquids tanks does three things, all bad. First, when it occurs the user gets wet feet. Second, some overflow enters the solids tank. And third, it is virtually impossible to remove for dumping without additional spillage. Good news is you'll only let it happen once 😳
Ugly: IF you do get too much liquid in the solids tank, it will leak. The penetrations where the mixer axle exits the tank are not sealed at all. So how did I discover this? Somehow a single sheet of TP got pushed forward when the hatch closed. It provided enough resistance for much of the liquid to flow backward rather than forward. It took a couple of days to get enough liquid to become a problem. But it's a problem you DON'T want to have. Truly ugly. Not as bad as a toilet overflow, but bad. It took a bit to identify the source of the problem. Couldn't see the TP in there. Once identified it was easy to fix and adding a bit of peat moss to the tank dried it back up. Much easier than taking apart plugged tubing for sure.
So there's user feedback for what it's worth.
Regarding the install, the worst/hardest part was ripping out the original MSD system. It's a nasty job that took at least as long as installing the airhead. Call it a full day of labor to remove the old system. The most difficult part of installing the airhead was mounting it in the limited space and with the step in the deck on the R25. My choice of vent location further complicated things as I ran the exhaust hose all the way across the boat to re-use the original generator exhaust fitting. The manufacturer basically made a disclaimer for an install with that long of a run of hose but it works fine. We did follow their advice to put the fan as close to the exhaust end as possible. All-in there was about a full day of labor involved for the installation. But with a design as you go job that labor was spread over three days in my case. One thing that helped was to initially fasten the head to the deck with double sided tape. We used it a couple of days and verified spacing before drilling holes and fastening it down for good. So, a day to pull out the old, and a day to install the new.
Regarding operation:
Good: 1) No maintenance other than dumping the liquids. 2) There is virtually no odor. Either in the head or near the exhaust. You can literally stick your nose right up to the exhaust and the only odor is a musty smell, not at all a sewage smell. 3) The solids tank lasted us all season without needing to be emptied. Two people, about 28 days total on the water. A few of those days we were in situations that one or both of us took care of our business ashore.
Bad: 1) The liquids tank has to be dumped every day. Unfortunately the little window to check level is basically useless. It is less than a single bladder full from the top. And overflowing the liquids tanks does three things, all bad. First, when it occurs the user gets wet feet. Second, some overflow enters the solids tank. And third, it is virtually impossible to remove for dumping without additional spillage. Good news is you'll only let it happen once 😳
Ugly: IF you do get too much liquid in the solids tank, it will leak. The penetrations where the mixer axle exits the tank are not sealed at all. So how did I discover this? Somehow a single sheet of TP got pushed forward when the hatch closed. It provided enough resistance for much of the liquid to flow backward rather than forward. It took a couple of days to get enough liquid to become a problem. But it's a problem you DON'T want to have. Truly ugly. Not as bad as a toilet overflow, but bad. It took a bit to identify the source of the problem. Couldn't see the TP in there. Once identified it was easy to fix and adding a bit of peat moss to the tank dried it back up. Much easier than taking apart plugged tubing for sure.
So there's user feedback for what it's worth.