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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Waterless toilet options....looking for feedback.
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Nate R
Member
# Posted: 2 Nov 2021 12:59
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Or call the BI on that? The county doesn't ask what model on the form, IIRC....so she'd be the only one looking at what you actually do/enforcing that portion... Right?

Nate R
Member
# Posted: 2 Nov 2021 13:03
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NFS 41.....sounds like it takes $20k to apply to get approved that you conform to that standard, plus an annual fee.....Expensive! No wonder some of these things aren't cheap.

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 2 Nov 2021 13:23
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Quoting: Nate R
The county doesn't ask what model on the form, IIRC

Bullet #5 on the first sheet: https://www.marinettecounty.com/i_marinette/d/Land_Information/sanitary/2021/non_plum bing_sanitation_permit_application_january_2021.pdf

txDave
Member
# Posted: 2 Nov 2021 21:23
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We’ve had a Nature’s head for about a year, weekend or less per month for 1-4 people. So far no complaints. I did replace the urine container with a line to greywater to avoid dumping it. After that, no smell, no issues, haven’t had to dump the chamber yet.

Nate R
Member
# Posted: 3 Nov 2021 08:31
Reply 


Quoting: WILL1E
Quoting: Nate R
The county doesn't ask what model on the form, IIRC

Bullet #5 on the first sheet: https://www.marinettecounty.com/i_marinette/d/Land_Information/sanitary/2021/non_plum bing_sanitation_permit_application_january_2021.pdf


Gah, missed that!

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 4 Nov 2021 07:51
Reply 


Well, official word is in from the country and the only approved composting toilet is the Sunmar unit. So they want me to pay even more for a system that is known for not working the greatest in climates such as WI winters.

So i think my best option is to do an outhouse and then once all is signed off, look at putting one of the system i want inside.

bushbunkie
Member
# Posted: 4 Nov 2021 18:19
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We were using the “ humanure” compost toilet system for years in our outhouse. In winter, we simply brought it in to the cabin and put it where our indoor washroom would one day be. The beauty of this system is it is built around a 5 gallon pail. Put in a 2” base of peat moss and cover your business with two scoops of peat moss. We were really surprised how quickly any smells diminished once the peat moss...a major absorber...came into contact with the waste. We dump the bucket in our poop coral and every two years would recycle the soil into our wildflower gardens...absolutely no smell or hint that it was once human waste...just looks like peat moss.
This system passed my” wife and her friends” test, which is why we used it. With a running toilet now, we still bring the humanure toilet into the cabin washroom in the winter because we shut off our water. Honestly, We just pop open the window when we do #2 and the peat moss does the rest. If you’re really worried...for double duty...we just keep an odour neutralizer spray on the counter beside the little toilet. Works for us. I guess these systems are really popular in parts of the US where power goes off often....folks have them in their homes as a plan b during power outages.

bushbunkie
Member
# Posted: 4 Nov 2021 18:22
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Here’s a pic...
Humanure toilet box
Humanure toilet box


bushbunkie
Member
# Posted: 4 Nov 2021 18:27
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...goes from the outhouse in summer into cabin in winter.

bushbunkie
Member
# Posted: 4 Nov 2021 18:28
Reply 


Purdy little outhouse...
Outhouse
Outhouse


scott100
Member
# Posted: 4 Nov 2021 19:35
Reply 


Your regs kinda suck. Can't say I'd want the Sunmar either. I don't know anything about the Separette unit, but have heard good things about the Natures Head one. It's pretty popular for use on boats. We have 2 composting heads, one on one of our boats, and one in our cabin. Both are C-heads, and I'd buy another one if I needed another. The other units with fancy trap doors in them look good when you think you're going to be pooping in a bucket basically, but I look at those "features" as just more that needs cleaning, and a point for failure.

The beauty of the C-head is its simplicity. No fancy parts to break, nothing to clean, and the thing just works, vented or not. Since the solids container is round, there are no nooks and crannies to get buildup in. We don't bother to vent the one in our cabin, and venting isn't necessary. We've found coir works the best in it. Even though there's no fancy trap door, there's really nothing to look at inside. The coir just looks like dirt.

One thing I will warn you about is that even though you can use toilet paper in these things, it tends to float to the top and fills it up quicker. We've found it makes more sense to put the used tp in a separate waste basket. Very soiled tp is put into a sandwich bag first. Not exactly the most environmentally friendly, but that's the way that works best for us.

The C-head has a smaller solids compartment than the Natures Head, so we only get a little over a weeks use (2 of us) before I need to dump it, but for limited winter use, I think that would be ideal. Just dump it before you leave and just fill with less coir if you're only going to be there for the weekend. FWIW, these things are really desicating heads. The compost process does begin in them in the right temps, but it's far from complete before you dump them.

MKirchhoff
Member
# Posted: 4 Nov 2021 21:27
Reply 


I think C-head makes the best waterless toilet. They are designed, first, for use on boats but would work great in any cabin. The head is simple, sturdy, uses nonproprietary parts, has a urine diverter that shunts urine to a plastic gallon jug (important!) and is reasonably priced. If you keep the urine out, and add a carbon rich material (sawdust, coco coir etc.) between uses, the pile will stay dry, won't smell, and is easily handled and disposed to either a larger containment compost system, or to the trash (as you would pet waste, or diapers). I lived for years with a composting toilet that did NOT have the urine diverted...and OMG, NEVER AGAIN!

Tim_Ohio
Member
# Posted: 5 Nov 2021 08:54
Reply 


Found this option to divert liquid in the 5 gallon bucket version. I might try making a nice looking cabinet for it with melamine planking from Menards:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/844715096/diy-xl-compost-toilet-urine-diverter-and?gpla= 1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ps-a-toys_and_game s-sports_and_outdoor_games-camping&utm_custom1=_k_EAIaIQobChMInsmn9Or-8wIV12pvBB3tQgK REAkYAiABEgKcg_D_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12566100364_122491428387_507300404771_pla-3537 21143480_c__844715096_122385168&utm_custom2=12566100364&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInsmn9Or-8wI V12pvBB3tQgKREAkYAiABEgKcg_D_BwE

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 5 Nov 2021 10:24
Reply 


Thats a good looking unit

Champ7ac
Member
# Posted: 8 Nov 2021 10:05
Reply 


Your Woes with toilets, sounds much like ours.
Our county, (in WI) allows alternatives like an outhouse, or a Porta Potti. If you choose the porta Potty route, you have to enter into an annual agreement with the county.
You have to have a "registered" septic pumper agreement as well, to send into the county. Annual fee is $25.
Plus a fee of $55 to pump the porta potti as needed.

Each year you have to jump through the same hoops, and send in your fee. Fill out a bunch of paperwork.

Or you can have an outhouse, for no additional cost.

We have a porta potti, but we will be migrating to composting toilet. For the county's purposes, we will have a seldom used outhouse, but have an under the radar composting toilet.

Our water table is very high where we have our cabin. Very sandy soil as well. Don't care much to spend the money on a mound septic system.

The etsy ad for the johnny composting accessories look like just the ticket.

FishHog
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2021 07:56
Reply 


For us, a nice outhouse at the cottage is the way to go with a pee bucket indoors for those night time trips. My wife and I truly don't have any issues with using an outhouse and find most of the aversion people have are people who only have experience with porta potties.

in out camper van, we have an Air Head composting toilet, very similar to Natures Head, but a few perks I liked better. Works very well and no odour

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 9 Nov 2021 08:27
Reply 


Champ7ac I'm strongly leaning towards the outhouse option with the "vault privy". This avoids the need for soil testing or ground water level verification. So pay the $150ish for the permit and be done. I already have the IBC totes and probably enough leftover materials. Figure the outhouse makes it easier for when you gotta go when your outside and you don't have to trek inside all the time....or you just want some solitude while taking care of business.

If someone happens to have an accident and poops into a bucket inside ...i'll have a good place to dump it!

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2021 09:36
Reply 


There is a reason certain spaces were called a 'closet' in the old days and followed by the morning trek to the out. A system developed over thousands of years of mankind and wonderfully successful.

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 9 Nov 2021 09:42
Reply 


I installed an Incinolet toilet. Hooks up with 4" abs black pipe. Really easy. If in your situation I believe would work. I paid 800 bucks for a used one. They are used on boats. Lots of boats up Lake Superior ways. Maybe check up those area for sale papers.
Made from stainless steel so doesn't rust. I've not had any issues with it running. No odors. I've read others write about odors butt even my beautiful wife with a sensitive nose has no issues. There is very little smell.
It does take about 45 minutes to fully burn. And burning 1000s of degrees burns everything.
When I'm there I simply prop the chute door open n use it like the toilet seat on a bucket with several good garbage bags in it.
You buy special paper liners that fit it so pretty much no cleaning that part of the toilet either. They are not too expensive
It does take 30 amps to run. For us , we bought a larger generator but you have service. Should be a pretty easy set up.
Hey worked good for us. I have a nice window in front of the toilet to look out so don't miss pooping outside. Gets kinda cold here too
Incinolet
Incinolet


WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 5 Apr 2022 09:54
Reply 


Well i broke down and bought a Separett setup from Amazon. The unfortunate part is that the workers at Amazon manhandled the box and managed to bust up the plastic bowl, so i need to return it for a replacement. I did have a chance to check it out, sit on it, etc. and it feels like it will be a great system. Not sure i see $1k worth of materials and engineering but so be it.

Only dislike i have is the massive 3" exhaust pipe. Thank god i studded the interior wall this will be vented down and out with 2x6 studs otherwise the pipe would be wider than the wall. Kinda wondering why they went with that size pipe though as you need to use an adapter to increase to a 3" pipe as soon as it leaves the toilet...why not just maintain that size all the way?!

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 5 Apr 2022 11:30
Reply 


That size may be to meet 'da code' for vents?

ICC
Member
# Posted: 5 Apr 2022 13:25
Reply 


To help make the air flow work better. I belive you will find a chart in the instructions( or someplace) that indicates the maximum CFM air flow that different lengths of pipe will provide. The longer the length of pipe, the lesser the volume. Yes, even with a fan pipe diameter and length makes a difference.

medic149
Member
# Posted: 1 Sep 2023 18:34
Reply 


txDave


Hi Dave,

Did you use a P trap between your toile and the grey septic?? Or just a straight shot to the grey septic?

I am working on my grey septic now and want to divert the urine so we don't need to worry about overflowing the tank anymore.

I was concerned that smells from the grey septic may back up to the toilet.

Thanks,
Andy

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