Composting marine toilet

hodgkinsbrian · Post by **hodgkinsbrian** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:37 am

I am thinking of changing the toilet in my F-26 to the Nature's Head Composting unit. Has anyone out there changed their toilet an how is it working? Sounds like a good system an if it works then one can remove the black tank and in the F-26 there is a lot of usable space there.

www. natureshead.net/

or

Sales@NaturesHead.net

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:25 am

I have been using one all this season.. removed my vacu-flush and all tanks and hoses for extra storage under the Vberth. Great not to need pump outs, the water saving is less noticeable as the Vacu flush used very little compared with a regular head.

Am very happy with the Nature's head... absolutely no odour even when I open the base to change the bottle. That was the one thing I was unsure of... I am now a believer that the odour is caused by the mix of urine and solids only!
It is amazing how quickly two people can fill the 2 gallon urine container.... only thing I would do different is buy an extra bottle initially.

The increase in volume of the solids is hardly noticeable so expect it to last all season for two people before it needs emptying.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 2:05 pm

One other thing... is your head area same size as an F32? If not you might want to consider this smaller competitor:
http://www.airheadtoilet.com/

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 2:56 pm

I have never thought of trying that system but after reading these posts and some others here I may give it a try. I have two heads with a VacuFlush system that takes up a lot of space not to mention the expensive filters that go with it. My holding tank alone is at least 20 gallons and I could gain probably 30 cubic feet if I took the entire system out not to mention saving the pump out fees.

I hear what you are saying about odor, but do you ever empty anything?

Thanks for the info.

hodgkinsbrian · Post by **hodgkinsbrian** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:32 pm

ready 123

I have not yet measured to see if this unit will fit I do believe I have the room but there was no measurement for the width including the crank handle. Can you give me this measurement?
Did you import the unit direct from Natures Head or buy it locally an if you purchased it around here were did you get it?
If there is not enough room I will look into the one you mentioned, but I do feel Natures Head is thee better unit.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 5:46 pm

The ONLY problem I have seen with my Nature's Head is that small gnats get in the solids container and fly out when you open the trap door. This only happens when I do not run the small ventilation fan that is built in the unit so I assume that is what it is there for. We carry a 6 gallon plastic diesel fuel jug from Wal-Mart (yellow - appropriate color), keep it in the genny compartment and empty the pee jug in it when a suitable dump site is not available.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:21 am

Danny Bailey wrote:The ONLY problem I have seen with my Nature's Head is that small gnats get in the solids container and fly out when you open the trap door. This only happens when I do not run the small ventilation fan that is built in the unit so I assume that is what it is there for.

The fan should run all the time.. which is what I do, I've not seen anything like that.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:25 am

hodgkinsbrian wrote:ready 123
I have not yet measured to see if this unit will fit I do believe I have the room but there was no measurement for the width including the crank handle. Can you give me this measurement?
Did you import the unit direct from Natures Head or buy it locally an if you purchased it around here were did you get it?
If there is not enough room I will look into the one you mentioned, but I do feel Natures Head is thee better unit.

Download all the pictures of dimensions and you will get the answer... 19.96".
Purchased online direct from them here in 3/4 days, came out of PA.
I too felt the larger one would be more comfortable.
I love being set free of the need to pumpout.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:34 am

Not that I'm saying that there is a shortcoming with the head. If you don't run the fan, you may see gnats. Personnally I don't like any electrical item running 24/7 on my boat. The fridge stays on, but that's it.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:39 am

Danny Bailey wrote:Not that I'm saying that there is a shortcoming with the head. If you don't run the fan, you may see gnats. Personnally I don't like any electrical item running 24/7 on my boat. The fridge stays on, but that's it.

It's only a computer cooling fan... less likely to cause a fire than a fridge IMO. I wouldn't worry Danny.... my wife would find the gnats distasteful.
My understanding is the fan helps speed up the breakdown/composting.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 2:14 pm

Ready123,
Let's stay on topic and provide info and facts to hodgkinsbrian from owners experience and observations with the Natures Head, and not get mired down in how one should operate it in one's boat. What I do on my boat is my business, and if I desire advice I will ask for it. This is one thing that bugs me about this forum. You try to help someone who has asked for advice, you post your experience and observations, then another poster (not the originater) argues with your post. What is the objective of that?

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:21 pm

WOW... chill Danny

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:15 pm

Double Wow...

You both evidently have valid comments to the OP. I personally, didn't read any insinuation on Michael's reply to your comment or instruction to how you use or operate your boat or equipment Danny.

Just sayin'...

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:18 pm

The OP asked for input from anyone who had a Natures Head. I posted my opinion and observations from just over a years use based on that request. I read the literature, I know it is a computer fan, I also read that you can install a solar vent and not use the computer fan. I thought a new user might like to know the consequences if he chooses, like me to not run the fan 24/7. I agree with most of what ready123 said, it is a vast improvement over holding tanks, etc, but I would not buy another 2.2 gal jug...like I said I use a 6 gal diesel jug.

Maybe it's a Southern cultural thing...I'm not used to people insulting you by interrupting to correct when you are providing data requested by someone else.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:17 pm

My friends always tell me, "you Trojan owners are such a passionate bunch"!!

Trojan Boat Forum

Composting marine toilet

Composting marine toilet

composting toilets

Re: composting toilets