Airhead Toilets

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Don

Peggy, or anyone, I'm looking for general feedback about the Airhead toilets. It seems like a good solution, but I'm concerned that with a crew of four, full-time cruisers (two kids, two adults) we'll overwhelm the system's ability to 'compost' effectively. Thoughts? Don
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

It's the excess liquids you have to worry about

They have to be drained, but can't go overboard, so they have to be collected and held for disposal ashore. That means either in one gallon jugs, or a holding tank...and if you have to have a holding tank for liquids, what do you gain with a composter? There was a discussion about the Airhead here last fall, in which Geoff Trott (who owns Airhead) participated...I saved the link to it, but the archives seem to be down. The concensus then was, composters--including the Airhead--can be a viable alternative to a holding tank for boats in "no discharge' inland waters...but for about the same price, a Lectra/San (CG certified Type I MSD that treats waste and discharges it overboard legally) makes far more sense in most coastal waters. It can be used with any toilet, and would be the ideal solution for your crew in your waters...check it out on the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com (go to products, then waste treatment from the homepage). Why store waste aboard if you don't have to? Especially if the alternative is not only more practical, but better ecologically.
 
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Don

The thinking is...

I really like the simplicity of design. Looking at the Lectrasan and the associated plumbing, I'm concerned about having just one more thing to deal with. Also, I do plan to spend some time in no-discharge areas, so I'd have to use the holding tank, giving me the same headaches I have now with a traditional MSD. So, let me explain my goals: 1) Have a system that keeps me from having to go through "the waste tank is full" stress, and the associated fun of hunting down a working pumpout (we're cruisers, so we never know where they are). This is by far the biggest thing. 2) Have a system that is odor-free as possible. I'm tired of smelly hoses. 3) Have a system that is simple, fewest parts to break or replace as possible. Lectrasan and the Airhead are both at the top of the list. With my installation on a catamaran, a Lectrasan may pose some problems, but I'd imagine they could be worked through. Again, my question is if anyone knows if a crew of 4 would overwhelm the Airhead?
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

Taking your points one at a time...

"1) a system that keeps me from having to go through "the waste tank is full" stress, and the associated fun of hunting down a working pumpout" The Lectra/San would certainly do that...it doesn't store ANY waste, but discharges it overboard a flush at a time. "2) a system that is odor-free as possible. The Lectra/San is 100% odor-free. In fact, ANY odor is a signal that it's not working. "3) a system that is simple, fewest parts to break or replace as possible. The Lectra/San is as simple as it gets--head to unit, unit to thru-hull (and maybe a couple of vented loops, but no big deal compared to maintaining a holding tank)--and requires almost -0- maintenance...only an annual cleaning (which doesn't require taking anything apart...see the directions in the manual online). "With my installation on a catamaran, a Lectrasan may pose some problems, but I'd imagine they could be worked through." If there two heads, each in separate hulls, one L/S can't service both toilets. However, neither can a single composting toilet serve both heads...so that's a wash. "my question is if anyone knows if a crew of 4 would overwhelm the Airhead?" It depends on what you mean by "overwhelm." Can it handle the volume of solids? Yes. But it's the liquids that are the problem. The average adult uses the head 5x/day....average liquid output, including the liquid content of solids: 8 oz. That means each person aboard will put 40 oz of liquid a day into the toilet...that's 160 oz (a gallon is 128 oz). Those liquids have to be drained off--either into the one gallon containers offered by Airhead--which you have to store somewhere--or into a holding tank (so much for avoiding plumbing and pumpouts) for composting to occur. You do the math: people x days aboard. And then you decide which makes more sense for your boat, in you waters. If you were on the Great Lakes or any other inland "no discharge" body of water, I'd say that the Airhead is a system worth considering...but in coastal waters, why have to deal with waste aboard in any form if you don't have to?
 
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