Composting Toilet - Nature's Head

[knothead]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Why do so many humans think that their poop and pee is so special that it needs a bio organ-grinder to decompose it properly rather than legal ocean pump out?

The average whale leaves a much larger "carbon footprint" each time it goes poop, than I would in a lifetime.

While I don't think there is anything particularly special about it, it is a resource. It makes very nice compost.
Why is it so difficult for people to grasp the idea that what we consume from the earth should go back into the earth to nourish it. A lesson the island of Haiti is slowly learning.

Frankly, the number of actual cruising people is so small that I'm not really concerned about how they deal with the issue. I am much more concerned about how the billions of land dwellers deal with it.

But speaking of boats in general, there is the fact that you don't have to put holes in the bottom of your boat. You don't have to carry around a sloshing tank of sewage. You don't have to ever worry about clogging or rebuilding a finicky MSD. Even a plain bucket used with a good cover material like sawdust or coir is less smelly than the "normal" set up.
I could go on, but you get the idea.
For some of us, it just makes more sense.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by Greenhand

To me, the advantages of the composting toilet include using less water and being much easier to deal with than traditional heads - they seem to fit the KISS philosophy. And if anyone ever comes up with a premolded insert for separation, I would probably even consider a five gallon bucket.

And, as others have said, it is a matter of accumulation with 6 billion humans.

If, for instance, I were someplace where they had a pump out station that just pumped everything into the harbor, I would probably choose to go offshore, where my contribution to the mix would be diluted.

Here's what I used to make mine.

Ecovita Privy Kit

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by micah719

Scrounged materials, a dead-simple wheel, and a unit that fits me and my boat perfectly....I seriously doubt that will cost even half.

Good luck if you have a female passenger/crew...

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by knothead

Here's what I used to make mine.

Ecovita Privy Kit

When I was considering making my own that was my starting point. It's a good halfway point, especially if you have a really triky space to fit into.

[reiner]

Originally Posted by EighthWonder

Well I'm absolutely thrilled and sold in Natures Head. I didn't have to, but after three weeks I wanted to dump the solids bin. Not difficult at all. I was simply amazed that the only odor was peat moss, you know that musty smell? No sign of the nasty solids or odors at all. I'll probably be replacing my second head with one, now that I see just how simple and cleanly it works. I recommend it without hesitation. I can't believe it's not on every boat!!!

We fitted a airhead in ours and I find it really strange that people put up with stinky boats, holding tanks, pump outs and the rest that comes with the standard marine toilets. My Neighbours in the Marina pulled faces when I said I'm fitting a composting toilet....but they are coming around and keep asking how it is doing. I think it is just a matter of time and more lights come on. We love ours too. ( Well as much as you can love a toilet :-)
Reiner

[sarafina]

I think it may be a matter of not HATING your head, rather than loving it... I am grateful to not hate it!!

[Kenomac]

I'm going to continue using the electric head, just close the hatch, push the button and launch... Simple, no special handling, gone. Uses sea water.

Seems very weird to me why some would want to store, separate, treat, handle, mix, rotate, evaluate and smell their own waste using a composting head. I want mine out of my life and gone A.S.A.P.... No desire to play with it.

[micah719]

A self-built head does not need to be redneck-tech, or look like it. One could even make it quite luxurious, if that is so important. Functional and practical is more my style, and that inherently includes a level of comfort regardless of how many somersaults the boat is doing. The first unit I make will be for a small boat, and if and when I get the big boat built, the mini-potty goes in a cockpit locker so one can tcb without leaving the helm. Deluxe head down below for reading the newspaper at anchor....

[EighthWonder]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I'm going to continue using the electric head, just close the hatch, push the button and launch... Simple, no special handling, gone. Uses sea water.

Seems very weird to me why some would want to store, separate, treat, handle, mix, rotate, evaluate and smell their own waste using a composting head. I want mine out of my life and gone A.S.A.P.... No desire to play with it.

When you live in a boat during a Canadian winter and can't get a pump-out you learn very quickly "why" the composting head is a dream.

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I want mine out of my life and gone A.S.A.P.... No desire to play with it.

Well I guess it depends on where it "Goes".

There is no poop fairy to wave a magic wand and disappear it...

If you are where are is not an appropriate place to dump overboard then your attitude won't be very realistic. Or appreciated by your neighbours. Or legal in many cases.

[Bluemansailor]

>>When I installed my nature's head, I installed a 3-gallon tank for urine instead of having to empty their small bottle by hand, <<
info- how did you do this??
thanks

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by EighthWonder

...I was simply amazed that the only odor was peat moss, you know that musty smell? No sign of the nasty solids or odors at all...

Yes, a properly functioning composting toilet system does not have a bad smell.

Operational note: If and when you do detect odors it is sign that something is not quite right.

[ScottMeilicke]

Originally Posted by EighthWonder

One problem with it - there's no way on this green earth that this man could convince his wife to live on a boat for ANY period of time if she ever had to use a bucket with a lid!!

;-)

I have this exact problem. I have a great bucket with seat and lid, researched the best cat litter (I know, we are not cats, but it works!), but still not go. However, I think it will lead to a bigger boat with a real head, so it is not all bad.

[Kenomac]

This discussion is just too weird for me to take part in any longer...

Why would anyone want an outhouse inside their house???

[knothead]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

This discussion is just too weird for me to take part in any longer...

Why would anyone want an outhouse inside their house???

Based on this inane comment and your previous ones, your mind seems closed on the issue. So I think your participation in the discussion is a waste of time.
For my part, I won't miss your contributions.