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07-02-2018, 05:01
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#76
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Boat: Hallberg Rassy 35'
Posts: 1,200
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andromeda
Thanks to you both!
This is a great blog, your interior is looking super. I have a perfect little corner beside the shower for a box-style compost head like you do, so this is very similar to what I plan to do. Fortunately the floor is flush (pun intended) and there aren't any tricky corners.
Could you post the link to your head removal process? I've got a builder buddy willing to help me make "the box" this weekend, but the scary part is ripping out the old system! Also, any hope of selling off the parts? It's quite clean (because we've had to work on it so much and stopped using it for solids quite a while ago) -- is selling a used head and holding tank kosher in the marine community?
Thanks again! I will make sure to photograph the adventure.
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This link https://sednahr35.blogspot.com/2013/...head-ache.html is the closest thing I have to removal instructions. The hoses are quite stiff and I ended up cutting, disassembling, and yanking. I thought my head was pretty clean, but the deeper I got into it the more I just wanted to dispose of everything quickly. Mine went in the dumpster.
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07-02-2018, 06:43
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#77
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Florida
Boat: Scout 30
Posts: 3,112
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
The removal process is pretty straight forward. Just undo the hoses & pull them out if possible. Don't cut them unless you have to & whatever you do don't leave them in because they smell. Then just unbolt the head & remove it. If you just want plug n play the C-Head is well thought out & finished and is about half the price of the Nature & Air heads.
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07-02-2018, 15:43
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#78
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Boat: Hallberg Rassy 35'
Posts: 1,200
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scout 30
The removal process is pretty straight forward. Just undo the hoses & pull them out if possible. Don't cut them unless you have to & whatever you do don't leave them in because they smell. Then just unbolt the head & remove it. If you just want plug n play the C-Head is well thought out & finished and is about half the price of the Nature & Air heads.
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Not my experience... the hose doesn't bend and the barbed connections do not let go of the hose easily even with a heat-gun.
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07-02-2018, 16:16
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#79
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,159
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkindredpdx
Not my experience... the hose doesn't bend and the barbed connections do not let go of the hose easily even with a heat-gun.
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they come off easily via a sharp utility knife and water pump pliers
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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07-02-2018, 16:37
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#80
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SF Bay Area
Boat: Chris Craft Catalina 350
Posts: 6
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Wow thanks very much for the details. I'll go in guns blazing soon, likely after some phone coaching from my neighborhood marine plumber. Planning to craft our own version of the c-head, having some craftsmen pals at hand.
One question that burns in my newbie's mind, what's the best way to secure that intake thru-hull once all is said and done and all the hoses are removed? Close the seacock obviously, but an expandable plug? A piece of tubing with a bung in it? The thought of a wayward drip much less a spurting valve gives me a new class of nightmares.
Thanks again!
May
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07-02-2018, 16:42
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#81
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,159
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andromeda
Wow thanks very much for the details. I'll go in guns blazing soon, likely after some phone coaching from my neighborhood marine plumber. Planning to craft our own version of the c-head, having some craftsmen pals at hand.
One question that burns in my newbie's mind, what's the best way to secure that intake thru-hull once all is said and done and all the hoses are removed? Close the seacock obviously, but an expandable plug? A piece of tubing with a bung in it? The thought of a wayward drip much less a spurting valve gives me a new class of nightmares.
Thanks again!
May
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close the valve and remove the handle then a screw on cap works best.
And this is from a real Newby.
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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07-02-2018, 16:45
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#82
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Florida
Boat: Scout 30
Posts: 3,112
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkindredpdx
Not my experience... the hose doesn't bend and the barbed connections do not let go of the hose easily even with a heat-gun.
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The type & age of the hose can make it harder. If it's a problem just cut it.
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15-02-2018, 12:47
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#83
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: virginia
Boat: islandpacket
Posts: 1,967
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Remember you can't just toss the contents overboard just anyware. just saying follow the discharge rules.
__________________
That derelict boat was another dream for somebody else, don't let it be your nightmare and a waste of your life.
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15-02-2018, 19:28
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#84
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Boat: Hallberg Rassy 35'
Posts: 1,200
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andromeda
Wow thanks very much for the details. I'll go in guns blazing soon, likely after some phone coaching from my neighborhood marine plumber. Planning to craft our own version of the c-head, having some craftsmen pals at hand.
One question that burns in my newbie's mind, what's the best way to secure that intake thru-hull once all is said and done and all the hoses are removed? Close the seacock obviously, but an expandable plug? A piece of tubing with a bung in it? The thought of a wayward drip much less a spurting valve gives me a new class of nightmares.
Thanks again!
May
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Hey May,
My sea cock didn't have threads, so I tapped in a temporary wooden plug. But I still had this thing about coming home from working out of town all week to a sunken boat. I knew from trial that the open sea cock gushed like a fire hose. This little issue was solved by an expanding neoprene plug from the hardware store (cost $4). I did replace the standard washers, bolt, and nut that came with the plug with stainless steel to avoid galvanic corrosion.
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26-03-2018, 20:04
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#85
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 27
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
If you decide to sail to far flung islands I would think that the usual coverage materials like peatmoss or sawdust might be difficult to source. How do you think sand would work for covering solid waste deposits? Seems like it should work ok but would be rather heavy. Might need a hoist to lift a full bucket out for dumping far out at sea. What other coverage materials might be available in remote locations?
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27-03-2018, 00:29
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#86
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,002
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevegerber
If you decide to sail to far flung islands I would think that the usual coverage materials like peatmoss or sawdust might be difficult to source. How do you think sand would work for covering solid waste deposits? Seems like it should work ok but would be rather heavy. Might need a hoist to lift a full bucket out for dumping far out at sea. What other coverage materials might be available in remote locations?
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Sand wouldn't be a good option. The material is not so much to cover up the deposits as to create structure to the pile to allow air infiltration. The whole idea behind composting is to oxygenate the material which eliminates the anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria are the ones that create the stinky smells.
But it's not a big issue. A popular medium is coir which is basically shredded coconut shells...usually pretty easy to find on far flung tropical islands.
Also, it's pretty easy to store 6-12months worth of material, so you don't need to replenish very often.
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27-03-2018, 05:04
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#87
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Dry chopped straw, shredded newspaper. any bedding material sold for pets or fluffy growers potting medium will do if sawdust, peatmoss or coir aren't available
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30-03-2018, 08:53
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#88
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Boat: Welsford "Saturday Night Special" 15' daysailer
Posts: 7
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andromeda
Could you post the link to your head removal process? I've got a builder buddy willing to help me make "the box" this weekend, but the scary part is ripping out the old system! Also, any hope of selling off the parts? It's quite clean (because we've had to work on it so much and stopped using it for solids quite a while ago) -- is selling a used head and holding tank kosher in the marine community?
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We removed a Dometic Vacuflush system to replace it with an Nature's head composting toilet (and we finish the composting on land, in a wheelie bin/garbage can, just leave for 12 months), then we sold the Vacuflush for $325. The only thing we junked was the holding tank as the buyer had a different boat and it wouldn't fit.
We gained lots of storage by removing the Vacuflush system and holding tank. The Nature's head smells much less and the urine is great fertilizer. Mix with a couple parts of water and use it on trees, flowers, your lawn.
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01-04-2018, 15:33
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#89
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: New Zealand
Boat: 50’ Bavaria
Posts: 1,809
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
Quote:
Originally Posted by jheldatksuedu
I have no idea what to do about women urine collection, unfortunately I have not had to deal with that problem, but would welcome the opportunity
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I think it’s fair to say that if any part of that contraption is “beside your berth” as you describe then you’re unlikely to have to worry about the problem.
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01-04-2018, 15:41
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#90
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2017
Boat: Retired from CF
Posts: 13,317
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Re: My 2 Dollar DIY Composting Head
LOL
Yes, I think those posting homemade solutions need to prettify their presentation a bit to broaden their appeal.
Not just a women's issue, many first-worlders have a strong gut reaction to these issues.
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