What is everyones thoughts...ive done some searching on the same discussion previously, i just want to get some more opinions.
I am trying to keep this on as low of a budget as possible. It seems there are pros and cons to both.
From what i understand rv toilets seem to be made pretty poorly unless your spending some big bucks on a fancy thing to pee on
You will get all kinds of debate about the water flying out of the trap etc., etc.. To me the only real issue is the capacity of your holding tanks. The household toilet will use considerably more water than the RV type. If you always have full hookups, it's not an issue.
I know several busnuts that have used standard "house type" toilets with no problems. As was mentioned, biggest drawback is the amount of water they use to flush (1.6 liter minimum) compared to an RV type (approx. 1 pint or less). Jack
What equipment besides the toilet itself do i need to install for each system?
I have a grasp on everything except plumbing.
A water suppply line to the toilet and a 3" drain from the toilet to the tank. Both types of toilets use a standard toilet flange to connect the toilet to the drain plumbing. These are available at any home supply or hardware store. They are available to connect to several different types of pipe (3 or 4" PVC slip, threaded, Fernco, etc.) If possible, it is best to have toilet drain be a straight drop into the holding tank. Jack
Jack,
I believe the disparity between household & RV toilets you mentioned is greater than listed. A household dumper flushes 1.6 Gal or 6 Litres. They maybe better now, but that was the standard a few years back.
I use a Micro ( something or other) and it is just great, since I corrected a leak between the drop out box and the china bowl.
Gary
It is true that RV type toilets are more expensive, but can be picked up reasonably on Ebay if you watch for it. I think I paid about $125. for a Sealand model.
I use a 1.6gpf Toto with a fully glazed S trap.
I'm very happy with it and have learned how to flush it using less than 1.6g.
My only advice when using a house toilet in your conversion, is to dump about half the water out of the
toilet tank before traveling.
It's no factor on good road, but if you have steep grades or lots of braking, a
lowered water level is going to make sure there are no spills.
HTH
Jay
87 SaftLiner
When I built my bus I made the black tank big so I could use a big comfortable throne and it was great for about a year and the wax seal started leaking. I replaced it and it happened again sometime later. Then I installed an rv job and it has been fine. The problem I had was that the wax seal was not resilient enough to take the rough roads sometimes and would get beat up. The rv thing has a rubber seal that is made much better for this purpose. Your milage may vary.
I bought a pretty expensive Thetford Aria toilet specifically because it has an elongated seat like the toilets in just about every public bathroom. My house also has toilets with elongated seats and I really like them. The Aria is just as comfortable as any other standard toilet.
With up to 9 people boondocking I need to have the low water usage of an RV toilet.
I can't recall how I justified to myself the huge expense of this toilet. I don't recall the original toilet to be that bad.
I've read several threads over the years of busnuts using standard toilets in their coach with sucess. However, I've just had a couple of tanks wiggle loose in my house from my kids plopping down on the seat too hard and the ensuing water dribbling around the rubber gasket where the tank mates to the bowl. I tried tightening the screws and eventually cracked the tank. Perhaps my bad judgement in not replacing the rubber seal, but my point is the tank will always have tendency to wiggle and perhaps leak. I would anchor the tank to a wall in the coach somehow to avoid this issue. I then think you would never have a problem.
BTW, I have a Thedford and like it okay. No real problems other tha paper sometimes sticking in the gate valve, but it can be cleaned.
David
Have used standard one piece home toilet in last 3 buses...Never any problem..180 holding...bypass on grey when full hooked up..and no odor ever in coach..I put more miles on my coach yearly than nearly everyone but Lvrbus..twenty to thirty thousand a year...goes by if we are chasing shows or not...always had problems with rv fixtures,valves fittings etc...and you can never totally mask the odor of the black tank being open every time you flush it...you can get used to the odor but visitors will always notice...just my thoughts. gg
GG, how is the DDEC 671 doing ,want to go to the large boat show in New Orleans Songman has free tickets Dec 3-5
good luck
Bus is great...motor back at 325hp..no problems yet....Not in N.O. area at moment down in bottom of Texas at Falcon Lake taking a break from our wild and hectic lives..LOL come see us....gg
I have a Sealand toilet. Just this year had to overhaul the ball valve. Was relatively easy and less then $100.00. While I like the full size seat, I wish the bowl was steeper to facilitate better evacuation. Other then that, it is a nice looking toilet also. Good Luck, TomC
I have had the "beige" plastic toilet in my old 74 Winnie. It is the original, I think. It holds a couple cups of water in the bottom for a seal condition alert. Changed the sliding gate valve "once" since 90 and the water valve once at a different time. I have full timed for maybe 4 years total and traveled 20K miles since I have owned it. I couldn't ask for better service, It is the cheap one with the two pedals in the front??? I would not go for the weight and mounting problems and operating limits of a household unit or an expensive Marine unit. If it ain't broke!!!!
Just my 2 sense,
John
Those of you that have a regular household toilet but are concerned about the amount of water that is used, try putting a gallon (or what ever size you wish) full of water in the tank. This will decrease the volume of water you use in each flush.
Have Fun
Hi busshawg,
If you put a gallon jug of water in the tank of a 1.6 gallon per flush toilet, will it still flush and remove the waste?
On another note, I interpreted Jack,s post that you need to have both RV and house toilets directly over the holding tank, would that be necessary with a house toilet? I would think there would be water volume enough with a house toilet to carry the waste through a nearly horizontal pipe for whatever distance you wish. It works in our house. The only case where I would use a house toilet is if I couldn't mount the toilet directly over the holding tank. We boondock too much.
Thanks, Sam 4106
Quote from: Sam 4106 on November 26, 2008, 01:47:53 PM
On another note, I interpreted Jack,s post that you need to have both RV and house toilets directly over the holding tank, would that be necessary with a house toilet? I would think there would be water volume enough with a house toilet to carry the waste through a nearly horizontal pipe for whatever distance you wish. Thanks, Sam 4106
I think you are correct. A house type could probably get away with a sloped or flat run to the tank, But, it would use more water to complete the flush. Jack
I agree with you guys. I know of people who have put conatiners in their toilet tank to conserve water and it works. However I didn't believe in this method that strongly as we will be boon docking as well and I think if conserving is what is in mind the RV style would be best. I'm not sure what kind of climate you plan on using this bus but a toilet tank with water in would be a pain in the a** if it froze up. I just got back about five minutes ago of touring a MC* that is set up to live in ALL winter long, and we're in Canada. He is a full timer and is spending the winter in Winnipeg,MB. You don't really want anything going wrong with water works at -40.
Have fun
If I were you I'd put in a urinal plus the toilet.
What about a BooDay? :o ;D Speaking of things you simply cannot leave home without. :P
John 8)