Patrick.

Nice job on the composting head install. I originally installed mine on top of the original platform, but I am going to remove it and install it on the floor like yours.

One comment on the toilet paper usage. You had mentioned on the SSCA Board that you had tried throwing the paper in the composting bin a few times and then stopped. Based on my experience, the paper can go in the bin with no problems. It does take a week or so to break down, but it will disappear over time. If you are at all concerned, use single ply paper – it will disappear in no time!!

(Charmin Extra Strong would be a big problem on the boat – my neighbor recently plugged up his septic tank with it!!)

The composting head needs a source of carbon to be properly balanced. If you don’t add the paper, you just need to add more coir or peat moss. As an experiment this spring, I was trying different carbon sources and tried using newspaper torn up into 1″ squares ( I figured it may be easier to get than coir or peat moss while out cruising). Even this mainly disappeared in a couple of weeks, so regular toilet paper should be no problem.

Paul

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Patrick,
Good job on the installation.  I especially like Dawns touch of putting down tile on the head sole.  I was going to re-surface the Teak parquet flooring in my head, but I think I now have a better idea.
Paul,
Interesting observations.  I stopped putting paper in the previous standard flushing head as I viewed it as the main source of plugged sewage hoses.  I've continued the procedure with the Airhead.  I've not heard of the need for carbon to aid the compost process.  I'll have to look into that.

I have encountered my first problem with the head in over a year – Gnats.  Somehow they got into the compost bin.  When that happens you have an infestation.  I suspect I got Gnats on board after returning from the  Bahamas.  While anchored out, I did not follow my normal schedule of disinfecting the garbage bin every few weeks.  That wasn't a problem when in the Bahamas because I never put wet garbage in the bin.  When I returned to the states and started cruising up the coast that changed, but I didn't resume the disinfecting schedule.  I think the Gnats may get into the compost bin when I empty the urine bottle.  I'll start plugging the opening with a cotton ball when I remove the bottle and see if that stops the problem.

My first unpleasant experience since installing the composting head over a year ago.

Also there is a potential problem with the Airhead urine bottle that you should be aware of.  Check the elbow fitting on the bottom of the sight tube that is screwed into the wall of the bottle.  If it is screwed below the level of the surface of the wall of the bottle, it may become a source of a leak.  It may be over-torqued and the difference in the coefficient of expansion between the fitting and the bottle material may cause the threads in the bottle wall to eventually crack and leak.  This doesn't appear to happen often, but my bottle did develop a leak a few weeks ago for this reason.  Fortunately I had a spare bottle on board.  Geoff at Airhead is aware of the problem and is replacing my bottle at no charge.  The bottles he ships now have the fitting backed off one complete revolution on the threads.  This doesn't appear to be a problem with the majority of the bottles previously shipped, so it is probably not necessary to adjust the elbow fitting on your bottles if they are screwed in below the wall of the bottle, just something to be aware of.

On Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 8:31 PM, Paul Lefebvre < ([email][/email])> wrote:

Patrick.

Nice job on the composting head install. I originally installed mine on top of the original platform, but I am going to remove it and install it on the floor like yours.

One comment on the toilet paper usage. You had mentioned on the SSCA Board that you had tried throwing the paper in the composting bin a few times and then stopped. Based on my experience, the paper can go in the bin with no problems. It does take a week or so to break down, but it will disappear over time. If you are at all concerned, use single ply paper – it will disappear in no time!!

(Charmin Extra Strong would be a big problem on the boat – my neighbor recently plugged up his septic tank with it!!)

The composting head needs a source of carbon to be properly balanced. If you don't add the paper, you just need to add more coir or peat moss. As an experiment this spring, I was trying different carbon sources and tried using newspaper torn up into 1″ squares ( I figured it may be easier to get than coir or peat moss while out cruising). Even this mainly disappeared in a couple of weeks, so regular toilet paper should be no problem.

Paul

—
Regards,
John Stevenson
http://www.svsarah.com

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Patrick,

What is the source of the vent you are using? Did that come with the
Airhead or did you have to find it yourself?

Pete

Patrick Walters wrote:

Peter,
Airhead is pretty much the same.  They supply the hose, muffin fan and housing for the fan under the deck.  You pick the deck vent.

On Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 12:21 PM, Patrick Walters < ([email][/email])> wrote:

Thanks.

Patrick Walters wrote:

Thanks guys.

John Stevenson wrote: