Head Poll v2.0 - what type do you have?

[Mike OReilly]

Any thoughts on the results? The consistent proportion that reports using composting heads is interesting to me (as a compost head user ). The poll done more than two years ago, and the concurrent one running over at SN, and this one, all report similar percentages of compost head users.

Obviously you can’t make a definitive conclusions with such small samples, but it is certainly suggestive of the uptake of these heads — at least with CF and SN users.

[mikedefieslife]

When I worked in market research, once we had 50 responses then the results were pretty much set in stone. Additional sample just reinforced those results and added some robustness.

[NorthCoastJoe]

Just got our Air Head yesterday, have to install it in the Downeaster. The Pearson has a porta potty. No tanks full of you know what for us.

[thereefgeek]

Lavac toilet to Electroscan (Type II) treatment system, with Y-valve to holding tank with deck pump-out when w/in NDZs. I plan to add another Y-valve and Mark V bilge on the holding tank so I can manually pump out from there as well.

We love our toilet and treatment system and can’t imagine why anyone would want to deal with the after-effects of a composting head.

[Rendova]

Lavac manual, 30 gal Ronco holding tank with drop tube and two air vents, two Whale Y values. I have the ability to discharge into holding, overboard, or pump out from holding tank. I ran a combination of PVC pipe connected to sanitation hose. I placed a lock on the door where the discharge thru hull valve is located to conform to USCG regs. After 10 years still working flawlessly.

[Pegu Club]

Natures Head, five years in, so far so good, on our second year as full time cruisers, between New England and George Town Exumas. Zero head troubles to date 😁.

Fair winds,

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by thereefgeek

Lavac toilet to Electroscan (Type II) treatment system, with Y-valve to holding tank with deck pump-out when w/in NDZs. I plan to add another Y-valve and Mark V bilge on the holding tank so I can manually pump out from there as well.

We love our toilet and treatment system and can’t imagine why anyone would want to deal with the after-effects of a composting head.

Looks like you’re the first to score in with a Type II. Interesting how apparently unpopular these are. Seems like a good idea. Just not as good as a composter .

[Greg Mason]

I have a Raritan PH II, with a Y valve to holding tank or overboard, another Y valve from holding tank to deck pumpout or macerator with a valve to separate tank from second Y valve. Recently replaced all sani hose and that was some chore, as plumbing was done before interior install and zap straps every 2' was onerous.

[Rowglide]

Lavac. Works "Perfectly" but for something so simple, it takes an awful lot of explaining. People are always too curious and try to open lid before it has refilled. Or they pump way too many times and draw in much more water than needed.
I leave a bottle of water on the counter and tell them to:

Lift lid
Pour in 1/3
Do what you are here to do
Pour in another third
LEAVE LID UP and pump till empty
Pour in last third, pump again till empty.
Now close the lid

Better results in the end cause its always fresh water.
I'm not willing to stir poop or pee in a jug yet though.

[goat]

App, so no poll.

Built a composter with separett diverter a year ago. I kept all hoses, y valves etc. so I could convert back if I wanted to. I don't want to. Ripped out all the hoses I could yesterday. Hauling out this week to fill the thruhulls and remove the below water line hoses. Matches my philosophy of keeping things separate, simple and self repairable.

Amazing how much room all the hoses take up. Also nice to have a full size seat.

Satisfied composting toilet owner.

goat

[Junk Viking]

We chucked the usual manual Jabsco head + holding tank with all its complexity of hoses and valves.
Got a natures head composter


Lost:
Smell of s*** (you know it's only a matter of time)
Nasty recurring overhaul of tank, hoses and fittings
Easy (but suddenly very important) head overhaul
One less hole in the hull

Gained:

Center cabin
Separate shower, so toilet stays nice and dry
More frequent but easy & not nasty emptying procedures


Magic
The magic was getting a center cabin = second separate double cabin on a 34' boat.
It was only possible because:

a) It's part of a major re-build.
b) Deck salon with raised settee with tons of (useless) storage under (+ holding tank)
c) Space usage was really appalling
d) Did I say it was (is) a MAJOR rebuild with lots of funny angles


Getting the usual boat smell out for good was the startingpont.
I have spent a lot of time keeping the little Jabscos running on another boat - and even these cheap heads are fine and easy to keep going.

The other boat has 3 heads, so none of the "suddenly very important" jobs.
I wouldn't even mind with even one Jabsco if it wasn't for the smell from the buildup.
I suppose it could have been solved by a well thought out layout, with easy access to removing everything including the tank, but I don't have enough space.

And yes, I also have a completely separate engine room, so no diesel smell either. Separate as in welded aluminium bulkhead!

Each to their own for sure!
But composters are great space savers!

[timb7734]

Currently have four Raritans in two boats, newest are Elegance, others are 20 years old. We never have odor problems but utilize sweet tank air pumps, as well as the active ingredient in No Flex Digestor , sodium percarbonate which I buy in bulk.

Prior vessel had three Vacu Flush which worked flawlessly for ten years with regular maintenance. All heads were fresh water only, Two vessels had 250 gallon holding tanks, and one 100 gallon. The hoses have not even been changed in the 20 year old boat.

Not interested in composting heads, as I suspect many just dump it over board as is the urine. Pump outs are just not a problem they way these boats are rigged, and although we have large holding tanks, we generally pump out whenever we move so we hardly accumulate more than 50 or 60 gallons. Have never had any tank maintenance.

[peghall]

ElectroScan is a Type I. Raritan ElectroScan promo sheet And so are the LectraSan and PuraSan.


--Peggie

[Sweetdreams2]

Have two Blake Lavac on current boat, Valiant 47. Both electric with a manual pump back on one of them just in case. Have had Blake Lavac on three boats now, they never plug up or have the problems other heads have and never needed to be replaced. If you get one it will last the life of your boat. Overpriced in the states but if ordered form the UK they are half the price.

[Rowglide]

My Lavac is quite old and trouble free... but the seat has yellowed from years and years and years of aging. A new white seat would be nice but the priice of a seat!!! 179.00 British Pounds plus shipping to Canada,... Maybe some plastics compatible paint will do...