Composting toilets

[Mark Maulden]

In searching the archives, it seems not much has been said about these in the last 7 yrs or so. After new hoses in 2011, it looks like I”ll be due again in a few yrs or at least removal and pounding on the dock...So what’s been happening in the composting area? I know several sailors that converted about a yr ago and said they should have yrs ago..I could get rid of a 40 gal holding tank under the v-berth where I really don’t need the weight amongst other pluses..thoughts?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

After new hoses in 2011, it looks like I”ll be due again in a few yrs or at least removal and pounding on the dock..

You shouldn't have to replace 'em unless they start to stink, which isn't likely to happen unless you bought inexpensive hose. No need to remove 'em to get rid of mineral buildup either...a cupful of distilled white vinegar once a week will prevent mineral buildup in 'em...muriatic acid used according to directions will clean 'em out if you haven't prevented it.
--Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

 

[Mark Maulden]

How does Muriatic acid play with PHII rubber parts? And, I get tired of pumpouts. And I need to add two vents in the hull to keep odors down. More holes..(We’ve discussed that and its not optimal re hose runs). Spend a day to get to pump out and either its not working or there is a line up (usually at a fuel dock) and usually at a place I dont want to go or pay big bucks for a boat to come pump out on location...More of a problem in WA waters which I stay in sometimes depending on time and crew...Once in Canada (BC) though, its all opened up

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Muriatic acid is completely safe for use in any toilet...been the go-to product to clean out hoses for decades. In fact, it's what Raritan used to recommend to clean the electrodes in the LectraSan/ElectroScan--introduced through the toilet--until they began selling Sew Clean Sew Clean under their own private label brand name C.H. Cleans Hoses. Sew Clean does an excellent job and is a lot safer to handle than muriatic acid, but it's a LOT more expensive..
As for your tank venting...adding a second vent is rarely necessary. "Upgrading" the vent line to 1"--which is very easy to do, thanks a li'l gadget called the Uniseal UNISEAL, replacing the vent thru-hull with an open "bulkhead" thru-hull and the right tank product solves the problem on most boats.
As for your pumpout problem...availability of pumpouts can't be solved onboard, but there are ways to increase the number of flushes a tank can hold by as much as 50%, so you wouldn't have to deal with pumpouts as often, and the Canadian border may be closer than the nearest pumpout.
We can discuss all this in detail if you'd like to send me a PM.

--Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

 

[Sailm8]

I just read on another forum (I think) that a guy is dealing with maggots in his composting toilet. They were caused by a combo of water down the vent and using peat moss as the medium. I wish I could find the link again.

 

[sesmith]

We installed a C-head composter on our Seaward 25, and we would never go back to the Jabsco marine head on that boat, and have had no negative issues with it. The Catalina 350 we are buying has a well designed Raritan electric head on it, and I have no plans to change it.

So, should you put a composter in your boat? It depends on your circumstances and what works best for you. I have no issues recommending any of the 3 most common composters.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I just read on another forum (I think) that a guy is dealing with maggots in his composting toilet. They were caused by a combo of water down the vent and using peat moss as the medium. I wish I could find the link again.

If peat moss was the source of the maggots, he didn't ge it from a garden supply store, 'cuz the peat moss sold commercially has been sterilized to eliminate pests in it.
--Peggie