CompostingHead

[eyebbober]

Does anyone have any first hand opinions onthe effectiveness of composting heads?

[Sasha_V]

Please tell me you do not mean on a boat???

I have helped a friend install one on a farm and errr...used...several. Definately not boat appropriate...and it is likely that the worms will get seasick.

[eyebbober]

There are several marine heads available for use on watercraft.My question was whether anyone has experience with one as the sales information indicates that they are quite effective and maintenance free.

[jkumin]

Hi:

I have no experience with the marine versions such as Sun-Mar or Ecolet. I have had a fair amount with land based systems and some might be relevant. Typically they need a steady source of power for the fan and heater, so they would be best on a powerboat or a liveaboard with shorepower. The Airhead needs less power but it means separating out urine. So how much trouble do you want to go through?

They don''t like uneven loads. They were popular for a while in rural Alaska (no water / sewer systems and permafrost means no septic fields). They failed consistently and have seen few if any new installations for years. Have a few friends over for beers and the slug of liquid drowns the composting action.

Carefully managed I suspect they can work. People who are true believers will put up with the limitations and inconveniences and make them work. If you are one, and can source the necessary electricity might be worth a try. Let us know what happens.

jon-k

[hamiam]

as luck has it, there is an article on such heads in one of the sailing magazines this month. i will check whether its cruising world or sailing when i get home and let you know. they do require a small fan but im sure you cud rig up a small solar panel to supply the power for said fan.