I've been doing some research/shopping and one of the things that has caught my eye are composting toilets. Specifically one that separates the liquid and solid waste. One of the main reasons I'm interested in them is lack of having to empty the black tank on a regular basis. In talking to a guy he said that instead of using a container you have to empty every couple of days you can plumb the liquid waste side of a composting toilet to your black tank and without the water you will greatly extend the time between dumps. This would seem to be a good thing as I believe that the liquid side of the composting toilet would be the nastiest side. Does any one here have any experience with composting toilets? If so, what brand and what are the good points and the bad points?
Second Chance said
10:22 AM Jan 30, 2019
I don't have any personal experience with composting toilets. However, I read a post on another forum last year by a guy who had to maintain a dozen of them for a remote Federal job site... he said it was the worst experience he's ever had. As an RVer, he said he would stick with the standard RV toilet/holding tank setup any day.
Rob
The Bear II said
12:43 PM Jan 30, 2019
Check out www.gonewiththewynns.com website. These folks are now sailing but were fulltime RVers with a composting toilet. Look through their blog about their RV and you will find a write up for the composting toilet.
Howard said
01:42 PM Jan 30, 2019
The Wynns did a great job of documenting everything about their composting toilet. However, here is one FAQ that specifically addresses the tank plumbing question.
"Can I directly connect my Urine to the old Black Tank? This can be done but the mfr does not have a kit for this so you’ll have to head down to the hardware store and create your own. I don’t think it will be too difficult if you’re replacing a toilet that is already plumbed into the black tank. One thing to be concerned about is the solidifying of urine on the tank walls. I would highly recommend you combine your black and grey tank if you re-route your urine because if you do not mix the urine with water the urine will cake onto the tank walls and may become impossible to remove."
The Wynns loved their composting toilet, but while the idea sounds good for many reasons, my opinion is that the pros in an RV application don't outweigh the cons, except for a relatively small subset of RVers. Before you start re-plumbing, be sure you research this option thoroughly and consider that you may have to put it all back like it was if you decide to sell the RV later.
arcaguy said
05:23 PM Jan 30, 2019
Yep, I saw that as I was perusing their site. I'm not necessarily sold on the idea, it just looked interesting. As to the plumbing issue, I'm not generally one to hack into something where I can't put it back to the way it was. For all I know I might not like the composting toilet and I'd want to put it back for me. But that's why I ask questions, because inquiring minds want to know. Thanks for everyone's input, and keep those cards and letters coming folks.
I've been doing some research/shopping and one of the things that has caught my eye are composting toilets. Specifically one that separates the liquid and solid waste. One of the main reasons I'm interested in them is lack of having to empty the black tank on a regular basis. In talking to a guy he said that instead of using a container you have to empty every couple of days you can plumb the liquid waste side of a composting toilet to your black tank and without the water you will greatly extend the time between dumps. This would seem to be a good thing as I believe that the liquid side of the composting toilet would be the nastiest side. Does any one here have any experience with composting toilets? If so, what brand and what are the good points and the bad points?
Rob
Check out www.gonewiththewynns.com website. These folks are now sailing but were fulltime RVers with a composting toilet. Look through their blog about their RV and you will find a write up for the composting toilet.
The Wynns did a great job of documenting everything about their composting toilet. However, here is one FAQ that specifically addresses the tank plumbing question.
"Can I directly connect my Urine to the old Black Tank? This can be done but the mfr does not have a kit for this so you’ll have to head down to the hardware store and create your own. I don’t think it will be too difficult if you’re replacing a toilet that is already plumbed into the black tank. One thing to be concerned about is the solidifying of urine on the tank walls. I would highly recommend you combine your black and grey tank if you re-route your urine because if you do not mix the urine with water the urine will cake onto the tank walls and may become impossible to remove."
The Wynns loved their composting toilet, but while the idea sounds good for many reasons, my opinion is that the pros in an RV application don't outweigh the cons, except for a relatively small subset of RVers. Before you start re-plumbing, be sure you research this option thoroughly and consider that you may have to put it all back like it was if you decide to sell the RV later.