HEADaches

[djousset]

Today was a good day. (I think). The new hot water tank wouldn’t fit into the locker so I had to pull the toilet in order to cut thru the bulkhead and install it from the other side. And that presented an opportunity.

Off it all went, the Jabsco, and the miles of hose as well as the vented loop, Y valves, holding tank, diaphragm pump, and more hoses etc etc. I could start a hardware store with all the hose clamps I have restocked in my locker and I’ve reclaimed a good 8 square feet of storage. I can’t really complain, the head has performed well despite the smelly hoses, vented loops, duck bills, salt water intake, ongoing maintenance and the wondering If. Things. Will. Go. Down. Properly.

Lots of good choices out there and after some personal experience, research on CF and elsewhere, and talking with a friend in the industry I settled on a Separett Tiny. Fits perfectly, small footprint, simple to use. And it can easily move over to my Coddiwomple when that adventure launches.

I don’t think I’ll look back, yet anxious to hear from others who have experience with the Tiny.

[peghall]

I'd never heard of it, so I went to the Separett website:

https://separett.com/en/urine-divert...ith-urine-tube and read the user instructions. Urine is diverted, but most people don't realized that solid waste is also about 75% water. Unadulturated raw solid waste sitting in its container for two weeks, even with the fan running continuously will just rot and STINK, if not in the boat, outside for any dock neighbors' "enjoyment."

Amazon is the only US source for it I could find...I just read the reviews for it on their listing. Before you commit to it, I suggest you do the same.


IMO there are better choices for about the same price.


--Peggie

[Mike OReilly]

No experience with this "Tiny" version. Interesting approach. Would also love to hear how it goes, or from others who've tried it.

As I read it, this is not the same as the other standard composting heads. It simply diverts urine from feces, into rather small holding tanks. No bedding material, no mixing. Just venting and, therefore, desiccation.

Not I suppose the big advantage of this head is the size. But the tradeoff is very frequent dumping.

Personally, I'd rather go with the more standard approach. A C-head also has a pretty small footprint. But hey... I love to hear how this goes.

[djousset]

I understand the skepticism, I had a fair dose myself. It may be justified.

Given how I currently use my little ship I think the Tiny is a good fit. Simple, no medium, concealer screen, plenty of opportunity to empty. Under a different sailing profile, and a bigger boat, I would likely go with an Air Head.

A friend is a distributor and although the deep discount was a factor it did not drive my decision. I had some experience with the Tiny as crew on a longer passage and quizzed the other members. One female reported three weeks of use with no odor and no issue. She was impressed. I hope to be as well!

[Caleb_Grey]

Get yourself a 5 gallon bucket and a 2 liter bottle and save yourself $700

[Don C L]

You might consider self-contained units like the Thetford MSD and the Dometic all-in-one. They are not composting (dessicating) heads but considering your use they may work well. I am going out for 1 or 2 weeks at a time or so, with my two kids, and a large size Porta-potty still works for me so far, and no smell. The trick is that only #2 goes in there. I can recommend the Thetford. Haven't tried the Dometic, it's a little too big for the space I have.

https://www.defender.com/product3.js...4286&id=105225

https://www.bing.com/shop/product?oi...3D&form=LIASTR

[peghall]

Now that your mention it, an "MSD" portapotty makes a lot of sense. The "MSD" designation in the model name/number means it has fittings for a pumpout line and vent line, and is designed to be permanently installed (actually just sturdier brackets than portables, so you could still take it off the boat if you absolutely have to), which means that although it's still called a PORTApotty, you don't have to carry anything including urine jugs off the boat to empty it.

A 5-6 gallon model is household height and holds 50-60 flushes...you'd need at least a 30 gal tank to hold that many from a manual marine toilet. No plumbing needed except a vent line and pumpout hose--so no new holes in the boat...and -0- maintenance needed except for rinsing out the tank--which you can do with a bucket while it's being pumped out. Total cost including the pumpout hose and vent line is about $300--a fraction of what you'd spend for toilet, tank and all the related plumbing needed. And the best part is, you have all the advantages of a toilet and holding tank without giving up a single square foot of storage space.


Thetford stll makes the 550P portable version, but discontinued production of the "pumpable" MSD version a couple of years ago. The Dometic/SeaLand 975MSD Sanipottie is the only one still available in the US...Defender has it: Dometic SaniPottie 975MSD Toilet with MSD Fittings - Gray | Defender Marine and their listing includes a lot of information.

--Peggie

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by peghall

Now that your mention it, an "MSD" portapotty makes a lot of sense. The "MSD" designation in the model name/number means it has fittings for a pumpout line and vent line, and is designed to be permanently installed (actually just sturdier brackets than portables, so you could still take it off the boat if you absolutely have to), which means that although it's still called a PORTApotty, you don't have to carry anything including urine jugs off the boat to empty it.

A 5-6 gallon model is household height and holds 50-60 flushes...you'd need at least a 30 gal tank to hold that many from a manual marine toilet. No plumbing needed except a vent line and pumpout hose--so no new holes in the boat...and -0- maintenance needed except for rinsing out the tank--which you can do with a bucket while it's being pumped out. Total cost including the pumpout hose and vent line is about $300--a fraction of what you'd spend for toilet, tank and all the related plumbing needed. And the best part is, you have all the advantages of a toilet and holding tank without giving up a single square foot of storage space.


Thetford stll makes the 550P portable version, but discontinued production of the "pumpable" MSD version a couple of years ago. The Dometic/SeaLand 975MSD Sanipottie is the only one still available in the US...Defender has it: Dometic SaniPottie 975MSD Toilet with MSD Fittings - Gray | Defender Marine and their listing includes a lot of information.

--Peggie

It looks like Amazon still has some:
https://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Port...s%2C276&sr=8-1

[peghall]

Nope...they have the portable version, mis-named "MSD" because portable toilets are legal "Type III MSDs" (holding tanks). No other reference to boats anywhere in the listing. Nor is there any sign of the fittings for pumpout and vent lines on it in the photo. See the "Product description: Campa Potti Xg 5.5 Gallon Plastic Portable Toilet - White." And if you go to the Thetford site, the part # 92856 shown in the "Technical Details" matches the portable version.



--Peggie

[Don C L]

Ah, thanks for the correction!