SeaLand 975 MSD Head

[Doug J]

If you have purchased this head can you give me your opinion of it? I'm looking to buy a new 5gal MSD head, so I can have deck pump out. I like this unit, but have read some poor reviews.

Currently I have an old SeaLand SaniPottie 2.5 gal, that works perfectly, despite it's very old. I'd like to think SeaLand would put out a good product in this new 975 model. I can get a new larger 5gal model SaniPottie, MSD, but I kinda like some of the features of the new 970 series.

I'm curious to know what some of you think about this unit.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'd opt for the Thetford 365 MSD instead

Check it out on the Thetford site Thetford

Their URLS for each of their products are are too long to post here...so when you get to their home page, choose Products, then Portable toilets...then 365 MSD.

 

[sailingdog]

In the future, you can always use TINYURL.com to create a short url that will go to the page in question.

http://tinyurl.com/34lsjpc

Links to the 365 MSD page.

Check it out on the Thetford site Thetford

Their URLS for each of their products are are too long to post here...so when you get to their home page, choose Products, then Portable toilets...then 365 MSD.

 

[ffaubert]

Check it out on the Thetford site Thetford

Their URLS for each of their products are are too long to post here...so when you get to their home page, choose Products, then Portable toilets...then 365 MSD.

Is there a reason for your choice here Peggy?

I'm looking at the same two trying to decide which one to get. The Thetford is slightly more expensive where I'm at.

Thanks,

Frank

 

[Tom Hoffman]

This is a topic that has been on my mind for a while. Has anyone used/owned one of these. It seems to me (with no experience on a boat longer than a few hours) to solve many of the problems of longer term living on a boat.

http://www.airheadtoilet.com/

What say you?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Composters and Dessicators

Composting is a terrific concept, but IMHO, it's not quite there for onboard use yet. "Nature's Head" seems to be very similar to the AirHead..http://www.airheadtoilet.com Neither of which is a true composter but a dessicator. The main drawbacks to onboard composters and dessicators are:

1. What to do with excess liquids. 90% of human waste IS liquid...mostly urine, but even solids are at least 75% liquid. Excess liquids have to be drained off , or you have wet soggy organic material...and wet soggy material doesn't compost, it rots. Adding dry material--peat moss is the recommended material 'cuz it breaks down quickly--regularly helps some, and there's usually more liquids than the evaporator--which, btw, requires power--in the self-contained units can handle either. Both the AirHead and Nature's Head separate urine from solid waste the urine is directed into in jugs (or a tank). You can't legally drain 'em overboard (unless you're at sea beyond the 3 mile limit), so the jugs must be stored and carried off the boat or the tank must be pumped out same as any other tank. So I can't see much advantage to this over a portapotty.

2. Even though urine is collected separately, solid waste is 75% liquid, so peat moss is needed to keep it dry. Enough peat moss to keep the thing working during an extended cruise can take up more storage space than a holding tank.

3. Composters need a 3" vent stack... AirHead originally specified a 3 vent but is now claiming that a 1.5 vent is adequate.

4. Continuous power 24/7 to run the evaporator.

5. Composting only works in temperatures above 70 F....and only works really well above 75. Below 70, bacterial activity becomes increasingly sluggish--TOO sluggish to make anything happen. So you have to keep it warm all winter--that's 24/7--or waste will just sit there. The good news is, nothing stinks much in cold weather either.

You may decide that this thing is greatest idea since the pop up toaster...but IMO, unless you're in inland "no discharge" waters, a Type I MSD (ElectroScan or PuraSan) is a MUCH better solution for the same money.

You'll find all kinds of conversation about composters and dessicators if you click on search in the menu bar above...use "airhead" as your search term...Find all words...search title author and message, and filter by author (my name)...."none" for for brand, model or forum.

 

[Doug J]

I ended up getting a Dometic Sealand Sanipottie 965 MSD, it's got a 5 gallon holding tank. I bought it from northeastsanitation.com for $113.35, no shipping, no tax.

My 1991 Macgregor 26S, came with a Sanipottie 964, which is only 2.5 gallons, not MSD. It may be original to the boat, and I must say it's almost like new, accept for some color change from age. But the thing is really exceptionally durable, it can take a lot of abuse by being hauled in and out of the boat ove the years.

So I decided to go with the same brand, just bigger holding capacity, and I really want deck pump out capability, so that's why it had to be MSD.

The Sanipottie 975 MSD caught my eye because of the pressure flush feature and it's styling. But I did read some bad reviews. Also I looked at one and saw that the handle you pull to flush, is attached to a plastic shaft, which is exactly what the bad reviews were about. Apparently the shaft can break. The older 965 model has a stainless steel shaft. Much less high tech, but a very proven unit.

Also in my case, I'm limited to the hieght of the unit I chose, the Thetford is something like 16.75", vs the Sealand 965 which is 15.5", one more inch in height would not work for me, because of cabinet doors that would hit. And another plus for me is that the new unit fits right in the same footprint of the old hold down brackets. All I had to do was swap the brackets for the taller ones.

I haven't installed the deck plate yet, but I did purchase a SS deck plate along with OdorSafe Plus hose.

Something I forgot to buy within this purchase is a vent fitting, so I guess I'll need to get that. Will I need to get odor free hose for that too?

 

[flynfol]

That is exactly the same setup I have. I'm not sure the vent line is odor proof or not. It is a white hose those. I replaced the large hose because the other failed. I did have a tank failure along the seam in the front of the tank due to the vent being plugged. Didn't know it until the level reached the seam while out on an extended sail So now I open the valve when pumping out.

I didn't want to upgrade to a 975 due to my kids probably using too much flush water.

 

[Timo42]

I installed the smaller Sealand msd toilet on my v222, after an unfortunate portapotty accident..., the larger one was too tall for the space in the boat, works fine easy to install, no leaks. Being able to pump it out means not having to drag the tank through the boat.