How to de-install marine head for composting

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by zachduckworth

......I noticed that the lip dividing the pee target and the solids target is very small given how important it is to keep urine out of the solids. My first impulse is to epoxy a larger barrier in there. Will epoxy stick to the plastic used on these contraptions?

Never even occured to me. When in a marina, we use the marina's bathroom for poo but use the Nature's Head for pee full time. Has not been an issue. I would not bother with a solution unless you have a problem.

It took us a couple weeks to get used to using the Nature's Head, especially me to sit while peeing. After a while its just a head. We've been in Mexico for 5-months nonstop and there is plenty to get used to even in land-based bathrooms (toilet paper goes in waste basket, not flushed - showers are low-pressure and rarely have hot water, etc.). Just part of the experience.

[zachduckworth]

Ok, so phase 1 of the de-install is complete. The saltwater intake valve is gone along with the head itself, and hoses going from the head to the first y-valve. I managed to dump a cup or two of gunk into a hard to access spot underneath the shower sump. I’m not sure how to access that area, and it did not seem to drain into the bilge. Ugh.
After than happened I cleaned up the pedestal that the toilet used to sit on in preparation for installing the Nature’s head. I need get the holding tank out still as well as the remaining stinky 13 yo hoses, pump, and y-valves. Lots of grossness left to go..

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by zachduckworth

Lots of grossness left to go..

Sounds like you're making excellent progress . Removal is, by far, the worst part of this transition. Luckily you only have to do it once (unless you get another boat with a stink old standard marine head ).

[X Fernandez]

Originally Posted by zachduckworth

Ok, so phase 1 of the de-install is complete. The saltwater intake valve is gone along with the head itself, and hoses going from the head to the first y-valve. I managed to dump a cup or two of gunk into a hard to access spot underneath the shower sump. I’m not sure how to access that area, and it did not seem to drain into the bilge. Ugh.
After than happened I cleaned up the pedestal that the toilet used to sit on in preparation for installing the Nature’s head. I need get the holding tank out still as well as the remaining stinky 13 yo hoses, pump, and y-valves. Lots of grossness left to go..

I made this shift 3 years ago when I moved aboard. One clogged joker valve was enough to get me into a Tyvek suit with a respirator and gloves. But yeah, it was a nasty day.

Could not be happier with my Natures Head tho. No smell, cleans up easily, just keeps working. I have a couple of notes:

I used the extra space created by removing the tanks to install a reverse cycle AC. Nice.

My deck pump out fitting was conveniently located more or less above the new head location. I ran the exhaust hose directly to the old fitting. Then I found an 8” PVC pipe that matched the size and threading of the fitting on the deck and made a standpipe for the exhaust. With a cap at the top, drilled with holes to ventilate and screen to keep bugs out it keeps the deck water out. Again, the location of the fitting is luckily located where it doesn’t interfere with any rigging. I’d rather be lucky than good.

I’m haven’t looked at the OGO heads but I will say that the Natures head sits pretty high. It’s the only complaint I ever hear about it. The hardest part is convincing my male friends they need to sit to pee. Makes everything easy of they do.

X

[jen1722terry]

I don't sit to pee in our Nature's Head. Unless they've changed the design (our NH is 11 years old) you can pee in the bowl standing up, if that's your style.

Great things, composters. Simple, very little maintenance.

We do note that, in the solids tank, we only add about 3 inches of peat moss in the tank bottom in the spring, then add a few tablespoons of peat moss after each use. This seems to abosrb nearly all excess moisture and makes emptying the solid much more pleasant, or as pleasant as this chore can be, at any rate.

Cheers to all. Spring's on the way for you northern folks.

Anyone want to buy a nearly new, 2013 Honda 2.3 hp outboard, let us know.