Everybody poops! Right? Well we're going to try to be more civilized about that this time. Going to try to avoid using puns on this subject if I can.
On our last rig we used a folding bumper dumper I welded out of some scrap unistrut and some random commercial plastic toilet seat. Worked great, except in the winter or in places like Timesquare, NYC. Not our fault, they really should have public restrooms in that city.
So we planned to have a toilet inside, like civilized folk. Lots of research led us to composting toilets. But the ones you can buy are over $1000! Considering we blew our budget on rebuilding the engine, we ended up having to build our own. Under one of the kitchen table seats is where we'll put it. So after we found the proper containers to hold the "goods", we installed the bracing and installed yet another bulkhead fitting.
Once we were happy with everything, we sealed the entire area. You know, in case things don't stay where they are supposed to stay. We wanted low maintenance and easy cleanup.
Used an old computer fan we had laying around, drilled and tapped the bulkhead to mount fan to, and wired in a switch. The fan will suck out so any smells that do linger, go outside. Everywhere we read said that if you can separate the liquids from the solids, you don't get that sewage smell. But we're not 100% sure on that. Also, airflow will help the compost process.
The solids go into the big gray container. The liquids go into the small white container. That white container was a real pain to locate. It's a storage container like they use in laboratories. Very good plastic and durable to last many years. Would be terrible if that jug ever leaked. Space was a premium and we wanted something to fit exactly. When the door gets closed, the pee funnel goes right into the opening and seals pretty tight, minimizing the risk of pee not staying in the container. The bracing we installed earlier holds the containers in the perfect spot, every time. We can even store about 6 rolls of toilet paper down here as well. Kinda glad we didn't buy a manufactured compost toilet. This setup is a very efficient use of space.
Here you can see the diverter, separating the solids from the liquids. It even comes with this awesome little piece of removable plastic between the two, in case your aim isn't the best and hits the center. That piece comes off and can easily be cleaned.
The company is Separett, out of Sweden. Spent more than we wanted to, but it is very well made and can understand why the price was what it is. Apparently, there aren't any American companies in this crappy market. Must be a European thing. Oh well, we found one. And according to the directions on the seat, men have to pee like women do. Again, must be a European thing.
And that is toilet all closed up. The base of the seat is mounted on an angle since the rear of the seat is higher than the front. With the front higher, it is pretty much flush with the wood framing under your thighs when you sit, as to not dig into you uncomfortably. When you close the kitchen table seat on top of the toilet, it sits on top perfect, with zero clearance. Lots of measuring to get that right all around. Behind the toilet we have storage for peat moss/sawdust, which you sprinkle into the toilet after each use. This absorbs moisture and gets the compost process started. Also, you can see the fan switch all mounted up down on the lower right of photo.
And that last batch of polyurethane we did also included the table. We added oak brackets for the table to sit on.
And make another bed! It's only 24"x72", so just one person. You lose your kitchen table when someone would sleep here, so this would be used for guests if need be. But this person might have the best bed, especially in the winter. Under the left seat is the electrical cabinet, and the under the right seat is the composting toilet. When both are in use, they produce heat. Heated seats and heated bed! Although you might want to sleep with your head over the electrical cabinet!
