Would those of you who've had both a traditional head and a composting head tell me the pros and cons of converting to a composting head?
Composting head
- Thread starter Oblivionboyj
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Composting Pros:
When working properly - composting - there is no residual holding tank order. Plumbing is less complex - fewer repairs. No need for thru hulls. Don't have to locate a or pay for a pump out station.
Composting Cons: Storage containers for liquid waste can require frequent emptying and / or extra containers for use and space to store ones already filled. Some individuals may find emptying the solids container to be a disgusting / difficult task. If not properly closed, when not in use, the solids container can be invaded by insects.
Having had both type of systems I would not change back to a traditional head.
When working properly - composting - there is no residual holding tank order. Plumbing is less complex - fewer repairs. No need for thru hulls. Don't have to locate a or pay for a pump out station.
Composting Cons: Storage containers for liquid waste can require frequent emptying and / or extra containers for use and space to store ones already filled. Some individuals may find emptying the solids container to be a disgusting / difficult task. If not properly closed, when not in use, the solids container can be invaded by insects.
Having had both type of systems I would not change back to a traditional head.
the biggest con for a composting toilet, is in dealinq with the liquid waste from the body. Most require a separate vessel, and that can present a challenge. Almost all users are best served seated, that way one can usually point to the vessel.
But you still have to empty the liquid vessel. Some gents tote the vessel to the facilities, shoreside each am, or some store it in 2/5 gallon buckets to empty later or farther out. Some just dump overboard at their earliest chance, without regard to the regs. I say gents, as in all my years boating, I have only witnessed the male transporting the vessel. Ladies, feel free to chime in.
If one has IBD or digestive issues, the composting process can be overrun rather quickly.
However, a standard marine head is no prize for reliability, fragrance, ease of use, etc.
Name your poison ...btw, when installed properly the composting head really does not smell any worse than the standard vent when the wind blows back towards your nose. Some composting heads are MUCH better designed and manufactured than others, cost is not the pivot in this case. Some have an electric element and a turning mechanism to aid the composting process, if you have battery capacity this may be nice, however in my experience, ANYTHING that is supposed to move on a boat, eventually doesn't and viceversa. Things that move in the chamber can be cumbersome to clean/retrieve/repair.
Others will chime in, I am sure..as this is often one of the most hotly contested subjects.
But you still have to empty the liquid vessel. Some gents tote the vessel to the facilities, shoreside each am, or some store it in 2/5 gallon buckets to empty later or farther out. Some just dump overboard at their earliest chance, without regard to the regs. I say gents, as in all my years boating, I have only witnessed the male transporting the vessel. Ladies, feel free to chime in.
If one has IBD or digestive issues, the composting process can be overrun rather quickly.
However, a standard marine head is no prize for reliability, fragrance, ease of use, etc.
Name your poison ...btw, when installed properly the composting head really does not smell any worse than the standard vent when the wind blows back towards your nose. Some composting heads are MUCH better designed and manufactured than others, cost is not the pivot in this case. Some have an electric element and a turning mechanism to aid the composting process, if you have battery capacity this may be nice, however in my experience, ANYTHING that is supposed to move on a boat, eventually doesn't and viceversa. Things that move in the chamber can be cumbersome to clean/retrieve/repair.
Others will chime in, I am sure..as this is often one of the most hotly contested subjects.
CON: Peatmoss turd balls. I have never had to deal with this on our boat.
PS: What do you do with them?
PS: What do you do with them?
CON: Peatmoss turd balls. I have never had to deal with this on our boat.
PS: What do you do with them?
:stirthepot: well first of all and the most important thing is to pick them up on the clean side Steve..
regards
woody
How long does it take for this crap to be legally disposable? 4, 6 , 12 mos.
There maybe a worse idea but I have not heard about it.
There maybe a worse idea but I have not heard about it.
Legally disposable where?
That's a pretty open ended question.
Seems to me that it makes disposal no more difficult than the choice of pump out or overboard as legally applicable with a traditional head.
Just wanted to pont out that the poopis going to take several months to compost.
I cannot see that this is any alternative to a holding tank.
An electra san would be an alternatve.
I cannot see that this is any alternative to a holding tank.
An electra san would be an alternatve.
While I have no experience with the C-Head, I have some experience with homestead composting toilets.
They're really efficient.
A friend has an off grid home in eastern Washington and his toilet is a 5 gallon bucket with a seat and a sawdust canister next to it.
It doesn't smell and he empties it weekly (a wife and 4 kids)
The C-Head website (http://www.c-head.com/Specs.html) states that you will get 10 to 15 uses out of the head, and using a 5 gallon bucket to store waste can go about a month without disposing your solid waste.
3 miles out and you can dump overboard just like a traditional head.
Based on my experiences with a composting toilet, a camper potty, and what I've learned about the traditional head I'm leaning toward a C-Head.
I know my system needs work, and one part will cost almost 20% of what a new C-Head will cost.
Plus I gain storage space.
Friends of ours have a C-head on their Hunter 40 and have been living aboard for three years. They understand the system and it works fine, no odor. We plan on having grandchildren aboard so our choice was different for heads. Hopefully they won't keep pushing the buttons.
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