Remote Toilet ideas?

[Fentonite]

I've got a little cabin on a mining claim (emphasis on "little" - think tuffshed with a deck). I've gotten it livable, and I enjoy spending time there. It's a bit over 9000' elevation, no running water, no power, but has a potbelly stove and a nice view. It's time to put in a crapper.

I figure I'll build a small outbuilding. Again, no power or water. Does anyone here have experience with composting or solar toilets? Plenty of southern exposure/sun. There are a couple commercial waterless composting toilets out there, but I'd sure like to hear some ideas or experience before I spend $ on that sort of thing. Definitely want something a bit more civilized than sitting on the sleeve from an MRE carton - done enough of that.

Ideas?

http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz339/fentonite/view2a.jpg

[Byte Stryke]

want a room-mate?

Fucking beautiful view

[Fentonite]

Thanks. Best part of the view... there's no people in it.

Can't use a roommate, but help me figure out the toilet, and you can use the place! (the cabin, not just the toilet)

[Byte Stryke]

Sadly the only experience I have in dealing with Shit is 8 years in the army!

seriously... other than a hole downstream I am of no help.

[sniper7]

no experience with any of that stuff...i just go in the woods!

but the picture you posted is now gone and I would like to see it!

[Byte Stryke]

no experience with any of that stuff...i just go in the woods!

but the picture you posted is now gone and I would like to see it!

Link to pic (http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz339/fentonite/view2a.jpg)

[Fentonite]

no experience with any of that stuff...i just go in the woods!

but the picture you posted is now gone and I would like to see it!

Not sure what happened to the link - it's still up on my computer. Thanks for throwing up a link, Byte.

If it weren't for the missus, I might be more inclined to invest in something more fun, and keep doing like the bears do. But if mamma ain't happy...

[mcantar18c]

Whatever ya do, I'll help ya build it.

Here's a basic schematic....

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Clivus_Multrum_Composting_toilet_with_urine_divers ion-dehydration.svg/482px-Clivus_Multrum_Composting_toilet_with_urine_divers ion-dehydration.svg.png

A. Second floor
B. First floor
C. Ground floor
1. Humus compartment
2. Ventilation pipe
3. Water closet
4. Urinal
5. Urine collection and dehydration

[Fentonite]

Whatever ya do, I'll help ya build it.

Just might take you up on that...

I'm looking at a smaller system, single floor, etc. Like one of these:

http://www.biolet.com/store/bts-33-c-5/bts-33-waterless-toilet-p-3
http://www.natureshead.net/

Hoping someone has some experience with something like this. Thought about a propane incinerating toilet, but I've heard that the stink is horrendous, not to mention the stories of burned butts.

[sniper7]

Link to pic (http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz339/fentonite/view2a.jpg)

says moved or deleted

[Fentonite]

says moved or deleted

How about now?

Here's looking a bit more south - toward Mt. Evans

http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz339/fentonite/view3a.jpg

[mcantar18c]

Just might take you up on that...

I'm looking at a smaller system, single floor, etc. Like one of these:

http://www.biolet.com/store/bts-33-c-5/bts-33-waterless-toilet-p-3
http://www.natureshead.net/

Hoping someone has some experience with something like this. Thought about a propane incinerating toilet, but I've heard that the stink is horrendous, not to mention the stories of burned butts.

I don't ship out till Nov 14, and I have nothing interesting to do till then...

Ugh incineration.... burning sh*t smells a lot like burning sh*t.
Only problem I see with electrical is points of failure. While it midget be unlikely, electrical/mechanical components are prone to failure, and that would be a really crappy job to fix (pun [Tooth]). A plain and simple, purely composting crapper is maintenance free, unless it needs cleaning.

BTW the original pic works fine for me... nice view!

[cstone]

Keep it simple. Here is a link:

http://www.operationalmedicine.org/TextbookFiles/FMST_20008/FMST_1603.htm

There are plenty of other examples on the web. These systems have been in use by millions throughout history. Some easy to find items and a little fuel to make it burn.

The urine tubes are way simple after you have dug out the gravel pit. It doesn't sound like you are going to have many people using it over long periods, so the sand and gravel filtration probably will last a good long time.

The toughest part is finding a location that is close enough, but not too close.

The view in the photograph is very nice. [Beer]

[mcantar18c]

The problem with those is that you have to stir it with a pole while it burns to get it all efficiently.
Other than that its about as simple as they get.



Keep it simple. Here is a link:

http://www.operationalmedicine.org/TextbookFiles/FMST_20008/FMST_1603.htm

There are plenty of other examples on the web. These systems have been in use by millions throughout history. Some easy to find items and a little fuel to make it burn.

The urine tubes are way simple after you have dug out the gravel pit. It doesn't sound like you are going to have many people using it over long periods, so the sand and gravel filtration probably will last a good long time.

The toughest part is finding a location that is close enough, but not too close.

The view in the photograph is very nice. [Beer]

[Fentonite]

I'm old enough to remember the smell of the original "Sh#t Duty" in the Marines,.. Not sure I wanna re-live that memory, but you know, you have a point about simplicity. Hmmm (insert head-scratch here).

[Not_A_Llama]

A plastic bucket with a side bucket of sawdust works pretty damn well - you can achieve really decent composting action, with that Carbon/Nitrogen ratio. Urine is especially potent in the nitrogen department. Very little smell.

Haybales work well for a urinal. Very little smell, again, from the composting action.

I'm afraid I'm not much help with the emplacement perspective.

[Ah Pook]

Y'all are slackin'. [Shake]
http://www.bumperdumper.com/images/turkey1.jpg

Incinerators are expensive.
Biodegradable is cheaper but not much.
Are concrete vaults allowed in this area?

[cstone]

Insulated gloves and a piece of rebar make a great stirring stick.

You can always clothes pin your nose (not that it really helps).

Wear an old pair of coveralls and leave them at the cabin to air dry after you leave.

Depending on the quantity, it shouldn't take too long and it is one of those jobs you save for the newbies [ROFL1]

When I saw the $1000 price tags for the other options you were considering, I just about shit myself [ROFL2]

[Flatline]

Cut a metal 55 gallon drug in half and add about 5 gallons of diesel. On the up side if you want to keep you land private that will certainly keep prying eyes away.

[Irving]

I'm interesting in how difficult and how much a plot of land like that is.

My family has a cabin near Winter Park and it was awesome growing up. Now it is like any other neighborhood with houses right on top of each other. Wouldn't be so bad, but our plot is really small.

[SA Friday]

http://www.i4at.org/lib2/hmnwaste.htm

If this is going to be a fallback position or multiple weekends, it might be worth just making an outhouse. Dig deep at a permanent placement. Sawdust/wood chips are basically cellulose and will compost the feces over time (insert a lot of chemistry here). Lye or lime will control the smell (insert a lot of chemistry here) and keep the bugs to a minimum. I prefer lye as it can be made from fire ash. Fire ash will work too, so you can empty the potbelly into the crapper for composting and to make sure the pH level of nitrogen doesn't too bad (ammonia is your problem here, the lye or ash will help to buffer this out and stop it smelling really bad).

Keep something to clear out the underside of the seat in the outhouse. They will collect spiders, and spider bites were very common from this back in the day. They also used to keep a bucket of corn cobs in there back in the day, no paper... Taking old phone books up there when you visit and leaving them is a good idea too.

[Fentonite]

A plastic bucket with a side bucket of sawdust works pretty damn well - you can achieve really decent composting action, with that Carbon/Nitrogen ratio. Urine is especially potent in the nitrogen department. Very little smell.

Haybales work well for a urinal. Very little smell, again, from the composting action.

Good idea here. If nothing else, could make do until a more permanent solution...


Y'all are slackin'. [Shake]
http://www.bumperdumper.com/images/turkey1.jpg

Incinerators are expensive.
Biodegradable is cheaper but not much.
Are concrete vaults allowed in this area?

Probably allowed, don't really know, but the ground is mostly rock, and I can't get heavy equipment there without paying a fortune...


When I saw the $1000 price tags for the other options you were considering, I just about shit myself [ROFL2]

You're not kidding...


Cut a metal 55 gallon drug in half and add about 5 gallons of diesel. On the up side if you want to keep you land private that will certainly keep prying eyes away.

Might even keep me away.


I'm interesting in how difficult and how much a plot of land like that is.

My family has a cabin near Winter Park and it was awesome growing up. Now it is like any other neighborhood with houses right on top of each other. Wouldn't be so bad, but our plot is really small.

My claim is small (5 acres), but it's surrounded by BLM, so it feels big. There are folks not too far away, but it feels remote, and you never see anyone. There's only about 1/4 mile of old mine road that is tough to drive, and it keeps the morons out. Had to haul in generator, etc for construction, but not bad. You can find bare mining claims like this for 35-55K probably. If you're looking, hit me up, and I can get you pointed to some resources.


http://www.i4at.org/lib2/hmnwaste.htm

If this is going to be a fallback position or multiple weekends, it might be worth just making an outhouse. Dig deep at a permanent placement. Sawdust/wood chips are basically cellulose and will compost the feces over time (insert a lot of chemistry here). Lye or lime will control the smell (insert a lot of chemistry here) and keep the bugs to a minimum. I prefer lye as it can be made from fire ash. Fire ash will work too, so you can empty the potbelly into the crapper for composting and to make sure the pH level of nitrogen doesn't too bad (ammonia is your problem here, the lye or ash will help to buffer this out and stop it smelling really bad).

Keep something to clear out the underside of the seat in the outhouse. They will collect spiders, and spider bites were very common from this back in the day. They also used to keep a bucket of corn cobs in there back in the day, no paper... Taking old phone books up there when you visit and leaving them is a good idea too.

Digging here will be a problem, and probably the limiting factor for this type of setup. You really know your sh*t though![LOL]

Thanks for all the input, guys. More ideas, keep 'em coming.

[Byte Stryke]

the extent of my experience with the subject.


(this is not me in this video)

ovOQYek3jyU

[sniper7]

How about now?

Here's looking a bit more south - toward Mt. Evans

http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz339/fentonite/view3a.jpg

works perfect and looks awesome! great view!

[Fentonite]

works perfect and looks awesome! great view!

Thanks. I keep meaning to put a gong on that hillside (it's across a valley)...

[Not_A_Llama]

Oh, and as an addendum to the bucket suggestion from earlier:

http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Toilet-Honeybucket-Standard-Gallon/dp/B004KLY5CE/

[Fentonite]

Nice! I wish I'd had one of those when I was remodeling the bathroom. Those narrow bucket rims hurt.

[Irving]

That's not too bad on price. I think I'll make that one of my life goals. Thanks for the inspiration. Our family cabin is on like an 1/8th or a 1/16th of an acre. VERY small.

[DD977GM2]

Thanks. I keep meaning to put a gong on that hillside (it's across a valley)...

So when is the CO-AR15.com Gong shooting party there?

If its when I am in town, I can bring prob 1 other person and load the bed of my truck up with plenty of gear.

[DD977GM2]

Nice! I wish I'd had one of those when I was remodeling the bathroom. Those narrow bucket rims hurt.

What we did for building my adopted boys Grandfather's property, took the frame of those nylon lawn chairs and mounted a regular toilet seat on it then put FRB board around so no splash on your legs.

[El Caballo Loco]

The crap burning video took me back to some times I had not thought about in years.

When I was in Afghanistan on my first trip the Afghanis did all our shit burning (it was their poop too) and I used to throw blasting caps, almost empty cans of starter fluid, and det cord tied in yules into the poo to mess with them. Sometimes, if a blasting cap or two was thrown in when the barrell was close to empty and ended up on the bottom, it would make quite a mess when it went off. When I went back on my second trip we had to go back to that same firebase for some business. I was dying from the bubble gut (oh, how I loved that jundee food though) so as soon as the truck stopped I hopped out and ran to the shitter. When I came out, one of the old poo burners was standing there waiting on me to get away so he could get the barrell. This was about 16 months since we had left this firebase.

He took one long hard look at me, threw his metal pole down on the ground and went to have a smoke while he told one of the younger workers to burn the shit. He never took his eyes off me the whole time I was back there.



Edit - Sorry about the hijack...thought it would be funny while everyone has poo on the mind.

[strm_trpr]

http://ecojohn.com/sr_intro.html

It would need a couple of car batteries and a propane tank but then you are gtg.

[brokenscout]

Sportsmans Guide had some if i recall

[Fentonite]

Sportsmans Guide had some if i recall

[ROFL1][ROFL3][ROFL1]

[Fentonite]

http://ecojohn.com/sr_intro.html

It would need a couple of car batteries and a propane tank but then you are gtg.

That one looks pretty cool... no stirring, no shoveling, and with the burning area behind, hopefully no burned bum. Thanks - I'll look more into that!

[Fentonite]

http://ecojohn.com/sr_intro.html

It would need a couple of car batteries and a propane tank but then you are gtg.


Holy Crap! that one's 4 grand, plus the building!
Gotta do something cheaper.