I use empty clothes detergent or fabric softener bottles for urine. Old trick from my trucker dad.

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Another great option!

@zeeeena

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea. Thank you!

@shamarcamargo1108

Жыл бұрын

I love this thank you

Since a "composting toilet" doesn't really compost human waste in the 1-2 weeks people keep it inside their home, there is really no need to agitate your feces and adsorbent while it is in your toilet. This makes toilet design much simpler, and allows you to use a plastic trash can liner in your bucket for easy removal and cleaning. Dump urine daily to limit urine smell! Sealing the toilet well when not in use is the best thing you can do to eliminate odors in your bathroom. First time I have seen the urine collection funnel in the bucket (oops, I meant to say outside the bucket).

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Good tips! We tried to make this as close to the Nature's head composting toilet which has a built in agitator, but I'm sure you can get by with a much simpler design!

@eds3079

2 жыл бұрын

GREAT comment. Especially the time it takes for actual breakdown to start. I think for real environmentally minded DIY 'ers ( those that will be using the compost themselves ) it is a good idea to start the process at the start. There may well be travelers who are saving their waste and TRULY composting. Most are looking for a place to discard. DIY 'ers on this topic often try to come up with a less costly solution. Unfortunately some want to mimic the big boys. More complicated = higher cost. Simpler ideas worked for many years. Just look at what has happened to our drinking water and the expense we are paying for bottled water. The manufacturing process started around the year 200 ( possibly earlier ) to make sea water palatable. With the invent and low cost of composting bags, the messiest part of removal is solved. Progress is sometimes just job creation. But that's a tail of a different dragon.

Ya, it's the funnel that starts to smell so vinegar definitely works. I pop in a strong oil like peppermint or tea tree. Also, bilge paint for boats is great for painting the wood parts inside. I live on a sailboat so I had some handy. But it keeps smells and spills contained.

Even in the professionally made toilets, they recommend spraying the urine diverter

A small loop in a small piece of tubing from your funnel to the top of the jug would eliminate odors coming back up from pee jug period just spray a very small amount of water after peeeing you would have effectively created a small pee trap

This is perfect! Covered everything.

Best diy toalett so far, great work!

@Ts7005

Ай бұрын

Eamon and Beck have a long pee funnel in their van. But I don’t know if it smells… sorry!

Great video! Let me know if you guys come around Pensacola, FL and I'll cook some Brazilian food for "y'all". My bus' toilet is almost done. I bought a plastic urine diverter on Ebay for like $50. I won't install an agitator, so I can have a plastic bag to make it easier to dispose of the #2, and I already got a 12V computer fan (not sure if all computer fans are 12V...) and made the whole on the toilet's back wall. I just wish I had saw yours first as I built mine rectangular so it won't be really comfortable... Space isn't a problem since the wet bathroom is 36" x 36". Again, great video!

I run my urine straight down into grey tank. And you can make a silicone plug for the funnel to keep odors from coming back up.

You can use a capful of pinesol in the jug. It really covers any oder.

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Great tip Deborah! We'll have to try it out, thanks!

@shamarcamargo1108

Жыл бұрын

Wowww I have some lol. Thank you for your suggestion

Good video. Subscribed because I like how you are presenting the info, and to help your channel grow. :) I wish I had started my travels like you are doing, and as young too. :) Happy Trails!

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Appreciate the sub and the discussion!

I would try adapting a wine cork to fit the smaller part of the funnel. You could run a chain/cord through the top of it horizontally and connect that chain/cord to the side somewhere convenient so that it's easy to pull out before using the bathroom. I like your idea. It makes sense. I've been researching diy composting toilets because my bathroom is only 3' x 5' and is a dry bath with a rather large-ish vanity and small tub. The existing RV toilet is too large and I don't like the way it works, and all of the commercial composting toilets are also too large and out of my budget. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

Urine will make a milk jug and other plastics smell after use, the plastic absorbs the odor. Those plastic Milk Jugs are cheap (free if you are already buying for milk). But, a simple solution is to change to a glass vessel (jug).

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Best tip yet! I'm on the hunt for a glass milk jug!

@BobWillisOutdoors

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. The plastic milk jugs can develop tiny leaks if exposed to warm temperatures. I learned that when I had some water in the back of my SUV, and the jugs leaked in a couple weeks.

@rustyholt6619

2 жыл бұрын

a carbon sourse (sugar ,charcoal,wood chips) will bond the nitrates so thay dont turn to amonia, the fan helps a bunch

If u were able to move the urine storage container to an area off to the side & attach tubing to the funnel with a plastic shut off valve, u could eliminate the odor. U would also have to make sure the lid on the storage tank was sealed off (using a snap on or screw on lid), so that the smell can't get out. This would also have to b set up so that the funnel stays supported & stationary under the toilet seat when lifting the toilet seat up. Of course u would also have to remember to open the shut off valve every time u want to use the toilet. U could also set up another storage jug with another valve & a 'Y' connector branching off to the 2 containers, from the 1 main drain tubing, giving u a spare storage container when changing things out, or just to have more time b4 u to have to empty. Another option might b some sort of a one-way valve. I've been looking at many toilet builds & after combining features of various ones, this is the best solution I've come up with. That being said, my own Compost Toilet is still in the planning stage! 🤪

Small fan will really stop with the smell it probably the best thing you can do for the smell... Also could run a hose from your number one funnel to the gray tank then you wouldnt have to dump the gallon jug as often. You just dump your gray tank as usual and this also helps with smell...

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Great ideas! I'll let y'all know if we implement any of them and how it works!

@suzannecranford6819

Жыл бұрын

Good idea.

great job

You dont need the agitator. Just put some pine pellets in there with each use and everything will compost just fine.

@suzannecranford6819

Жыл бұрын

I would want the agitator for that exact reason as well. I hadn't thought about a cement mixer. It's a good solution.

@wadeintoit

11 ай бұрын

Hello, I would like to talk about your cement mixer design. I see you drilled through the seat (which you insert your ratchet into) but I am curious about the end of the agitator. 1- what is on the end? Is that a socket you glued to the end of the cement mixer? How was that constructed?

The spray bottle works good for me too . But I use a bleach/water mix . No pee smell

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Good tip Tom! I'm sure bleach would work well too (as long as you're dumping it in a restroom facility or black water dumping station)!

@DrMcampbellDC

4 ай бұрын

I wouldn’t use bleach. Especially in an enclosed space. Urine has urea which breaks into ammonia. That’s one of the reasons pee gets stinkier over time. You don’t want to mix bleach with ammonia. It creates a poisonous gas.

I just had an idea about the agitator. What if it was designed like a flour sifter so that the agitator is u-shaped and was installed horizontally into a collar that fits the top of the bucket. The crank could then be on the side. You could still use a bag without compromising it.

you could use a odor trap on top of the pee jug. I have seen them in sizes down to 50mm

I just watched videos from a 6,000 $ toilet and 20 diy toilet's and ended up here.

What about aluminum plating to wrap the frame? It's less boxy and looks high end while being lighter than the plywood.

Adding the computer fan with exhaust to the side of vehicle or beneath (through floor) is the way to go to create that flow of air to the outside, as this will make the interior odor minimal if any. The fan is a standard feature on Nature’s Head toilets for that reason.

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Great tip! I was troubleshooting this design for the future if we decide we need it and was wasn't sure if we'd need to actually drill through the side of our 5 gallon bucket since the toilet seat makes a seal with it or if we'd be fine just venting the entire container itself. If that makes sense what are your thoughts?

@steadmanuhlich6734

2 жыл бұрын

@@healthytrails6798 I would vent the entire cabinet, that holds the bucket AND pee jug. I have used a Natures Head for weeks straight (on a long offshore boat voyage). The fan really helps. When I make a DIY toilet (if using similar design) I will definitely include one and not fear drilling the hole in vehicle for it. But, it is the urine bucket/hole/funnel that will stink. It is best to empty it frequently, and rinse it with some water (and vinegar) before using again. I also suggest using a bit more vinegar+water spray (not just a tiny spritz). I think a typical spray bottle sprayer (as shown), but about 4 “shots.” I would avoid using any of the chemical additives (solution or tablets). And, make sure you put some insect proof (tiny holes) “window screen” over the ends of both ends of the air vent pipe, to prevent flies from coming up from outside and then laying eggs in your poo bucket. Those can be a nightmare to eliminate once the eggs are in place (on bucket/cabinet etc.).

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

@@steadmanuhlich6734 Great tips! Thank you much! I (and hopefully others) appreciate it!

We have ditched the mixer in favor of 8gal bags. Easy to just lift out and take out with the kitchen trash.

Ditch the agitator and use the bag& just cover it up after with sawdust and toss it after a couple uses or barry it

Do you have a plan for the toilet? The dimensions and such. I'm trying to make one for my boat.

If you wanna get rid ofnthe smell you need to pull everything out of it, caulk all the corners, then use primer on everything on the inside and the top then use foam tape aound the wood lid and itll seal it completely. On the toilet lid seal use clear waterproof silicone itll create more of a rubber seal wich will press up and seal better than caulk. Just better fornwhat youre using it for. Caulk is more fornsealing gaps in wood ittings like trim to wall or backsplash to counter or in your case sealing diy wooden toilet corners. Hope that fixes it, super late.

Hi there have you considered putting the poo waste into a compostable bag and digging a hole in the bush somewhere and putting the bag in there so you can let it turn into a soil additive instead of it going to landfill yuk

You briefly showed the cement mixer. Has that been difficult to use or turn when the #2 bucket is getting full (after a couple weeks use?)?? And does it interfere or make it difficult to later dump the contents of the poo bucket? Also, If you do a new video on the toilet, to show new features (such as fan), I suggest showing how you take the bucket out of the frame/box, and how you manage the stirring mixer paddle thing too. Is it cumbersome? Messy to handle in the small space, etc? I ask these questions, in a friendly tone, simply to stimulate some more algorithm comments under your video. Hope this helps you. :)

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

The rachet handle provides fairly decent leverage and hasn't been too bad so far, but I've never went more than a week without dumping it yet so time will tell. We'll be traveling full time in February and I'll be able to report back with some better feedback then! I'm also guessing the type of composting material (saw dust vs peat moss) might make a difference for how tough it turns as well. (saw dust has been pretty easy so far). Great feedback and I will certainly do that on any follow up videos! It actually has been easier than you'd imagine to dump and manage the paddle. The bucket comes right out and I then take that outside the bus to dump it in a garbage bag. As you mentioned it's tough to tell from the video, but after removing the lid from the bucket the paddle stays in the bucket so you can take it outside the bus as well and place it aside as you dump the contents.

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment! Honestly, when we started off on researching for this project we probably learned as much, if not more from the comments of videos compared to the videos themselves. Love some good discussion here :)

@steadmanuhlich6734

2 жыл бұрын

@@healthytrails6798 Thanks for your answers. I do think a demonstration video (showing the entire process, slowly , with clear view of each step) will become a much watched video for your channel, boosting your channel in YT. So, I suggest you make it the entire focus of a single video (with appropriate title and thumb), and then link that in any following videos you produce as a FAQ. That could help you become more watched. There are plenty of “build” videos, but few that clearly show the actual use and each step. So, I think it would help you get more notice over time. :)

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

@@steadmanuhlich6734 thanks, great advice! Coming soon!

A line with a valve between your funnel and jug and your spray bottle would take care of pee odorr just turn valve on when you pee a few sprays in the funnel turn valve off

I wonder if some wood ash from campfire would neutralize odor or pee. Or a charcoal briquette in funnel? Similar to the urinal cakes in public urinal. Would seal the bottom with silicone in seams or even better fabricate an aluminum box. Still trying to imagine walking into a gas station with a jug of pee to dump, lol. TFS. Happy adventures.

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm I’ve honestly never seen those recommended before! Might be worth a try though.. Appreciate the tips Serena! I’ll let you know if it works!

@cambobby2011

2 жыл бұрын

You can just drop it anywhere in nature...

Do you have the measurements of the toilet frame?

Did you try your #2 mixer rod coming out the side instead of the top? You may be able to use a bag then. Great ideas!

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Well we thought about that, but then you'd have a hole in the side of your bag lol 😅

Genius.

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

This is the only design I have seen with an agitator. I plan to leave that out, and line the bucket with a bag. I will worry about a smell when and if there is one.

If you want to ad a bag forget the agitator just dump some cat litter after each dump mine design will be only one bucket 1 and 2 go in bag inside bucket with a bucket lid that's sold for bucket the pine pellets and clay litter and maybe lysol will do it no stink because of lid. But great video thanks much.

@corrineaustin7028

2 жыл бұрын

Eric, I agree. I've been using kitty litter for years, and it's an easy solution to the porta potty. No need to separate 1 & 2, and easy to pull out bag (I always double bag) to dump in a vault toilet. Easy to boondock with, too, as a 5 gallon bucket is big!

Milk jugs aren’t design to hold urine. But a stronger container, like an iced tea jug would be better. Also closing the jug with the top would contain the smell. Whichever container one uses, it needs to be replaced weekly.

a simple sink plug on the pee hole will help stop smells along with a computer fan exhausting to the outside.

Perhaps if you were to cut a disk out of cardboard just smaller than the inside diameter of the bucket. Put the bag in the bucket and the cardboard in the bottom of the bag. Might keep the bag off the agitator. Would want a new disk for each bag. Just a quick brainstorm. Would have to test.

Very good idea. How can I reach you.

What holds the. Cement mixer in place?

@wadeintoit

11 ай бұрын

Yes, what secures your cement mixer? Also did you glue the socket to the end of the mixer?

I like how you showed your toilet box build. But I think the metal (aluminum?) flange or piece (near the funnel) was not explained clearly. What is the need for that? Do you see a reason for it now that you have been using the toilet? Or is it unnecessary?

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

Great question! Honestly, it's probably not necessary. It was simply an "over-kill" idea to help guide the deposits and ensure that everything was getting to where it needed to be if you catch my drift. Without it there were holes on the sides of the toilet seat that just went to the bottom of the bucket. Unless you've got some aim issues you probably don't need it, although, maybe a good precaution (?)

@steadmanuhlich6734

2 жыл бұрын

@@healthytrails6798 That is not entirely clear. So, if you make a future video, you could clarify that, show the problem and your solution. Or if you decide to remove it, mention why in the update video. :) Another video, means more views and subs. :)

@healthytrails6798

2 жыл бұрын

@@steadmanuhlich6734 Yeah tough to explain without showing so expect another follow up video at sometime in the future!

Don't use the adjitater or mixer just put some litter or pine pellets in there my toilet will use only the 5 gal bucket 1 and 2 goes in and pine pellets on top with bag I made the whole toilet for 35 dollars no diverter made it out of a bed frame I found in the trash.

Why don't you use cat litter rather than saw dust?

Empty the urine conrsiner as often as possible and rinse with water. You shouldn't get yoo many issues. Its fairly easy to didpose of compared to the solid waste. Also aboud tsing the toolet in the can as often as possible. The ultimate compusting toilet? A shovel.

Coconut fiber works best in my experience. No smell

You need an ammonia neutralizer. $20 on amazon.

@marivega2755

Жыл бұрын

Ammonia is a chemical base, which can be neutralized with a weak chemical acid such as the diluted vinegar he showed. Much cheaper.

Its called a C-head and its what my Sprinter has. Unfortunately an ownership change at that company has turned getting a new c-head into a nightmare. As this video demonstrates, DIY is not that big a deal.