May 2019 – My Beach House, Compost Toilets, Solar Install, Traveling in Mexico

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

The May issue of Bus Conversion Magazine is now available to view and/or download from our website www.BusConversionMagazine.com.

To read the first page of My Beach House on Wheels by Debbie Breaux, click here...
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/My-Beach-House-on-Wheels-By-Debbie-Breaux.pdf

To read the beginning of Dirty Truth About Compost Toilets, written by Morgan Crabtree, click here...
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Dirty-Truth-About-Compost-Toilets-By-Morgan-Crabtree.pdf

For a preview of DYI Solar Install written by Karen Riffel, click here...
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DI-Solar-Install-By-Karen-Riffel.pdf

To read about Traveling in Mexico written by Gary Hatt, click here...
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Travelling-in-Mexico-By-Gary-Hatt.pdf

To read about The Adventure of my Life by Dave Galey, click here...
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/The-Adventure-of-My-Life-By-Dave-Galey.pdf

Want to be Famous? Click here...
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/May-Issue-2019-Want-To-Be-Famous.pdf

Want to know about what Bus Conversion aficionados are talking about? Check out this month's Bus Chat – What Spare Parts Do You Carry? Click here...
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bus-Chat-What-Spare-Parts-Do-You-Carry.pdf

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[Jim Blackwood]

I have a really hard time believing that a composting toilet won't be stinky.

Jim

[richard5933]

I have a really hard time believing that a composting toilet won't be stinky.

Jim

That's what I would have thought, but there are many reviews on Y-Tube which agree with the no-stink concept. I think the big factor in keeping the stink down is separating the liquid from solid content of the toilet.

[Jim Blackwood]

I dunno... have ya ever smelled that "solid content"? The faster it goes underwater the better.

Jim

[luvrbus]

I don't like the concept but they do not stink like a RV with the water toilet does sometimes, those composting toilets are pricey for good ones

[richard5933]

I know it goes against what many people think, but the number of positive reviews on YouTube indicate that they work well and don't smell. Slight bit more maintenance, and you have to carry some of the composting media (peat moss, coconut husks, etc) so you can replenish after emptying. Sounds like emptying the liquids container is the stinky part.

[Van]

Solution to the Poo smell pollution? Tide pods with every meal!

[Jim Blackwood]

I dunno, I'm not convinced. With a standard water toilet at least the solid waste drops right into the water so if you raise the water in the bowl when you start there's very little/almost no exposure to air. No way a composting toilet can match that performance.

As for what happens when the dump valve opens, that depends entirely on your venting/treatment system and I don't really think you can just automatically give the advantage to either one.

After the valve closes, again depends on your venting/treatment system in either case and again I don't see where you can automagically give the advantage to either.

Considering all that I think the water toilet still has the advantage.

Jim

[luvrbus]

What I don't get people will pay a 1000 bucks for the composting toilet vs 200 bucks for a rv toilet there has to be advantage besides the tanks,I have a buddy that paid 1800 bucks for a composting toilet to rich for me I can tell you for sure

[richard5933]

What I don't get people will pay a 1000 bucks for the composting toilet vs 200 bucks for a rv toilet there has to be advantage besides the tanks,I have a buddy that paid 1800 bucks for a composting toilet to rich for me I can tell you for sure

There are cheaper ones coming to the market - as popularity goes up more companies are starting to enter the market. Plus, it's quite possible to build one from scratch.

Advantages? Less plumbing, less space for the black tank, less headache having to find someplace to dump whey dry camping (only need a trash can or dumpster), less fresh water needed, smaller wet bay needed, etc. etc.

I dunno, I'm not convinced. With a standard water toilet at least the solid waste drops right into the water so if you raise the water in the bowl when you start there's very little/almost no exposure to air. No way a composting toilet can match that performance....

As soon as the solids hit bottom, you can almost instantly bury them in the media in the toilet by either flipping a switch or turning a crank. Plus, many of the composting toilets have venting to create negative pressure in the air space of the toilet.

[chessie4905]

Although not my interest, How Its Made show detailed the building of one. I think it is big in the Japanese market. It looked pretty interesting.

[silversport]

Just not a fan of compost toilets, no water so your aim must be right on or your cleaning and if Montezuma revenge is in force you have a mess. I don't like throwing human waste in the trash for someone else to deal with. Urine is very very strong smelling. They work for some and that is OK just not for me.