Composting toilet install

[trailertrawlerkismet]

For those that have an interest I’ve attached our blog post regarding the installation of an Airhead Composting toilet in our new R25OB. The attached link will take you directly to the post on our blog. The post explains why we did what we did and the benefits for how we cruise.

https://trailertrawlerlife.com/black-and-freshwater-tank-solution/

Jim F

 

[knotflying]

Install looks good Jim! In my opinion, if one were to consider the pros and cons of composing over conventional I would go composting. We have Airhead for 10 years on Illusions and was always happy when we did not have to scramble for a pump out and had the advantage of 70 gallons of potable water. When selling the boat, those with cruising experience were pleased to see the compost toilet installed.

 

[Bosn Mate]

Mike:

I met Jim at Legacy Harbour Marina this week and we talked about the benefits of composting toilets; I installed a Nature's Head immediately on accepting our R29S and am very satisfied.

Jim mentioned that you converted your unused holding tank for potable water and I would like to do the same. Did you document how you made the conversion or have any advice that could assist me?

Thanks!

Mike

 

[baz]

Jim's contraption looks like an almighty throne at best. 😱

For the record, as I'm sure there are people who would resist such a conversion, and this is something I would not install.

Why you may ask?

1) In my PNW area just about all marina's have free pump out.
2) I always pump out prior to a cruise.
3) Me and my passengers like the electric operated toilet.
4) My late wife announced... "If you want me to cruise with you, it has to be the electric style....". This was when we had the R25 Classic with manual pump, and wife did not have the strength to operate the pump.
5) I have thought of having the TP placed into separate container with lid and disposing of this when necessary. It's a matter to get the grandkids accepting this method.
6) I maybe wrong about this, but the older you are (with maybe some additional health issues), the less likely the AirHead is a good solution, or one that can be tolerated.
7) On the other hand, I find the name "AirHead" amusing.
8) For ocean long-haulers many collect the TP and tell their crew to throw it overboard.
9) I've never figured out what the maintenance chores/tasks are for the AirHead.
10) If something breaks in the AirHead, typically what would it be?
11) Is the AirHead accompanied with one other container such as for depositing the TP after use?

No matter..... Jim, well done as I know it was a major item and one you felt compelled to install. 🙂

 

[bigcountry]

I seem to remember reading on one of the boating forums that Canada does not allow composting toilets for boats in their boarders. Can anyone tell me if that was fact or fiction?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Always appreciate your input and humor Barry. As I’ve said before a composting toilet is not for everyone. Because when we cruise we can be out for an extended period having this style of toilet makes life simpler for us. If we only took day trips, not out in the wilderness for weeks on end, then the stock setup would be fine. There is no right or wrong here but only what’s best for one’s personal boating situations.

Jim F

 

[knotflying]

Mike:

I met Jim at Legacy Harbour Marina this week and we talked about the benefits of composting toilets; I installed a Nature's Head immediately on accepting our R29S and am very satisfied.

Jim mentioned that you converted your unused holding tank for potable water and I would like to do the same. Did you document how you made the conversion or have any advice that could assist me?

Thanks!

Mike

No pictures to show, but rather easy. Plug the inlet for the waste. Then, remove the bottom outlet hose and use fittings to downsize to a barbed fitting for 1/2' hose then run the hose to where the water pump is. Purchase a diverter valve and install near water pump. Connect feeds from both tanks to valve and then connect third fitting to pickup side of water pump. I also changed the pump out fitting to say water rather than waste.

 

[knotflying]

To answer Barry's concerns:
(9 )I've never figured out what the maintenance chores/tasks are for the AirHead.
To start with, you place a wetted and crumbled coco brick into the receptor. This provides the composting medium. When the receptor is full you remove the toilet seat assembly (three thumb screws) and then release the receptor (two thumbscrews), then place garbage bag over top and flip. Tie bag and throw out in garbage or if out to sea, dump compost overboard, reassemble. The process takes about 15 minutes. The urine container can be easily carried to a toilet when at a marina, or again, when out the three mile limit overboard, however i bet many a man does his thing way closer than three miles off shore
10) If something breaks in the AirHead, typically what would it be?
Really nothing to break. There is a small computer type fan that runs 24/7 I had to replace it once ( year seven) in 10 years
11) Is the AirHead accompanied with one other container such as for depositing the TP after use?
You can use toilet tissue in the airhead. However, one can dispose of toilet tissue as they might with a standard head

To answer the question about Canada not allowing them; I never saw that, but cruised extensively in Canada without an issue. I am not sure what the issue would be with a compost toilet. It is a much cleaner and less smelly operation.

Having observed all the posts on this site regarding smells, pumpout issues, clogs and malfunctions, I was always satisfied that the Airhead was a good choice for us. I was also surprised in my research that I could not find once person who complained or had issues with their composting toilet.

 

[baz]

My post intent was to simply indicate the AirHead approach is not for everyone (and Jim Favors recognized this - thanks Jim), and I gave a few personal examples, with the most important one being my very special needs my late wife had.

I will add also, that I use my boat(s) for charity events taking people for short cruises, and the thought of explaining the AirHead use to these largely non-boaters people might raise some eyebrows. The charity cruises are ones people bid on in a live auction with the proceeds going to the Charity, and there have been times the auction bidding has hit $1,500 for a 4 hr sunset cruise, and some of these people can be of the Celebrity type and fully 'dressed to the nines'. They simply are not the 'wilderness type'. 😉 😱

Mike: thanks for your responses. Let me say, (fingers crossed) for all the RT boats I've owned I never had a toilet malfunction with the R25 Classic being the one I owned the longest at around the 7 yr mark, and I changed its manual to electric. The Air Head toilet needs venting and there's no way this venting is not accompanied with a smell.

For those interested in the composting toilet -> https://youtu.be/dYR6GPmDzVM ...and I love this couple for all of their RV and Boating adventures. They've travelled almost the whole earth and say...

But is it legal?

Yes. Composting toilets are legal marine sanitation devices in coastal (salt) waters in Canada, and all waters in the USA (including fresh water).

Personally, as far as I know composting toilets are legal in Canadian waters.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Great solution to your water storage problem. I installed a Natures Head composting toilet on or previous Macgregor 26M trailer sailor and was the best mod I did because it only had a port-a-potty. Luckily on our R29 Classic, we don't need to worry much on water at 70 gallons and with the 40 gallon holding tank, pumpouts aren't a real issue, especially on the east coast. I do carry every replaceable part for our electric Tecma head just to safe. That'a over $1000 in spares, where as for the composting head, it would have been about $25. :lol: :lol:

 

[baz]

Bob: That $1,000 is a lot of money to be at rest, lonely, and having to wait to realistically earn its keep when needed. A sturdy empty bucket could be the answer for this for just a few dollars.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Bob: That $1,000 is a lot of money to be at rest, lonely, and having to wait to realistically earn its keep when needed. A sturdy empty bucket could be the answer for this for just a few dollars.

A small price to pay to keep the Admiral happy. We've done he bucket and chuck it on a previous boat. That's why we have the spares.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

A small price to pay to keep the Admiral happy.

Happy wife, happy life

 

[Bristle]

Hi Jim we put the same toilet in my road trek van had to extend the floor and made a stool ,they are high,as far as compost toilets in boats in Canada .it is portable toilets they frown on they have to be fastened in place with a external outlet ,not the composting type
Best regards
Brian styles
Rt 25

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Because we installed the new Airhead we are now selling the Raritan electric toilet that came with the boat. I placed the information under the “Ranger Tugs for sale” section of Tugnuts, so if interested look there for more information. New, never been used.

Jim F