Many of the basic pump out toilets simply have a flap at the bottom of the bowl which, when opened, allows the waste to drop straight into the tank. Note: When you pass stinging nettles about 100 high, I have probably cruised by some time earlier and may be responsible for the growth! Alternatively use the access to a vanity cupboard. Also on the market are Holding Tank Vent Filters, a cartridge like unit that fits in the breather hose to sewage holding tanks. It all depends on which pump out fitting you have on your boat, most European boats will have a 1 1/2" BSP deck fitting and most boats imported from the USA into Europe will have a 1 1/4" NPT pump out deck fitting. Also with regards the compost type toilet, how is the final product disposed of? I might be wrong on this score and it is possible that it is a coin system and ones buys coins along the way- Perhaps someone else Who Knows will comment? The kit features a waste diaphragm pump and all the hose and deck connections you will need. On board tanks also require dosing with treatment in order to assist the breaking down of the waste so this cost has to be factored as well. There are a few like Changing from a pump out to a cassette is more straight forward, but installing a pump out toilet would be a lot more challenging due to the waste tank and pipe work. Given the choice, if we found ourselves in the position of being able to buy another boat, I think we would still probably choose the macerator/pump out system again its the convenience. They are a stand-alone unit so no plumbing is required, the only connection being a 12VDC supply for a low (<1amp) consumption power supply for an aerating fan. They are very useful. Whilst recreating a vacuum for the next flush it will send the waste in to the holding tank. Household cleaners such as bleach will destroy plastic seals and tanks pretty quickly so use only products formulated for the purpose. Now they're back where they belong, constantly stuck in mud in a beautiful traditional narrowboat. At this stage all electrical supply cables and water supply pipe can be planned and installed as well. The standard 17/19 litre capacity holding tank of the most popular units can be removed out into most narrowboat walkways. (see direct instructions). It is not suitable in the UK environment, because our Cutting holes in a plastic tank is a simple process when using a good quality drill mounted hole saw. You can usually empty your cassette free of charge. Green coloured waste tank chemicals usually denote a more environmentally friendly composition. per cent relative humidity is high, always being in the 65% to 100% humidity range This is one of those highly emotive topics with regards to narrow boat ownership. Then we found the Vacuflush. Also worth mentioning, the vent size needs to be the same size as the waste in and waste out. Without a gauge you run the risk of either pumping out to often which can be costly or not reaching a pump out in time and over-filling which will be very unpleasant. With a conventional flush system it has the feel of a conventional loo but we do not seem ot suffer from the problem of having to empty it as often as we had expected. The kit features a waste diaphragm pump and all the hose and deck connections you will need. It is also designed to use minimal amount of water per flush, only 0.5 litres compared to the average 1.5 litres. for pump-outs every 4 6 weeks (Usually 10 18 per pump out even more decomposition) which is to be avoided, One can usually tell when a boat is fitted with a *Composter*, because they have in the loo, as this is immediately drawn out through the loo and discharged out A form of holding tank where the waste is stored is common to all types and it is this method of storage and disposal that divides owners. Where can you empty a cassette? Weve said before, but well mention it again, often household cleaning products will destroy important seals. Thanks in advance. When we bought our last boat we wanted a ceramic affair that looked like a toilet but after spending weekends cracking ice and doing a pile of locks in the snow to pump out we gave up and bought a portapotti. Only just got back on the site so a belated thanks for the replies. Can be used to revitalise dry seals, particularly on cassette toilets that are not used very often. If you are going for a sailaway canal boat, you need to make your toilet decision early on as this will impact the subsequent design and layout of your canal boat. With the growth of the leisure industry and overlapping motor home and caravan markets, the choice for boaters is now pretty sophisticated. This works well. Another manufacturer claims a couple living aboard should last 3 months without emptying the solid matter. composting loos that are *not* looked after properly get pongy! The composting tank has a quantity of peat moss into which the solid waste is turned by an externally mounted handle. There are cassette toilets that you can plumb into your boats water supply for the flush water but this one has a self contained manual flush. Cassette toilet systems are less expensive to install than both holding tank types and composting. compost mix and sometimes diluted Bio-magic. Blue waste tank dosing chemicals are formulated to prevent the build up of gas, liquefy waste and provide a masking odour which is often no more pleasurable than the smell of waste.These chemicals do lose their deodorising properties after a few days though. There are also macerator toilets on the market with a 360 degree rotating bowl, allowing it to be fitted in to the most restrictive of areas. We love reading the site and its keeping our enthusiasm well and truly topped up. If the Elsan flows into the main sewer there is no problem using one. ), With my Composting loo, I spend about an hour every 3 4 months, emptying Canal Boat, Narrow Boat, LeeSan Manual Self Pump Out Kit, Light Duty. Work out ballast requirements on a half full holding tank for the best compromise and accept that when either empty or full there may be a bit of movement from the horizontal. I stand corected Allan. You have to take your boat to a service point so if you cant move your boat because of bad weather and/or canal or lock restrictions you have a problem, The cost: Anywhere between ?10 and ?20 each time you want to empty your tank. On an existing boat it is possible to have one retro-fitted relatively easily. It sounds like yours may be similar and I have heard you can no longer get spare parts. For the traditional portable toilets with a built in flush water container there are chemicals formulated to lubricate seals, help reduce uric lime scale formation by coating the bowl & provides a fresh odour for the system. Flushing anything else along with wads of paper is a bit unpleasant. There are many other tried and tested alternative solutions to keeping your toilet smelling fresh which boaters will swear by, such as: Whatever chemical/method you use, make sure it is approved by the manufacturer of your system for use in the equipment. Regular inspection and cleaning will be required to ensure the seal is intact and clean. The exchange rate These treatments prevent humping of waste near pipe outlets and enable the waste to breakdown efficiently for easy pumping out. 1 sold, 0 available. Holding tank toilet systems have to be emptied less frequently. Canal Boat, Narrow Boat 2, LeeSan Manual Self Pump Out Kit, Light Duty. on the Southern canals! Gauges fitted in to the holding tank will either be a simple nearly full indicator or a more complex system to inform you of the actual level using a float. Composting Toilets (Envirolet and many others). There we are, getting on to the most popular of boaters subjects loos! LeeSan boat toilet pump out adaptersprovide an easy solution to adapt different pump out deck fittings to comply with the ISO9001suction probe that is commonly used to empty toilet waste at waste management facilities. Wharf Road, Fenny Compton Warwickshire CV47 2FE, Complete the form to send Please be aware if the Elsan disposal unit flows into a tank this needs to be emptied and often you cannot use self pump out kits. The more sophisticated toilets may have electric pre flush and post flush plus a macerator for chopping up your unmentionables (which can sometimes get clogged up with dried out toilet paper). Toilets Which One To Choose? Composting? Considering the ballast weight of a full tank is important. During the first fix of a sailaway or full refit, it is important to plan for the system install. Its worth ringing ahead to marinas and boatyards on your route to get an approximation of cost. It is simple and quick, taking the same time as flushing a loo (Pump-out type), I would recommend a composter that separates the fluid and solids. (In the south, I have heard of the fee being as much as 25! Once the holes are drilled and the pipe work connected, test all the electrical connections to any accessories such as tank level indicator and control panel whilst you can still get to the tank. These consist mainly of nitrates, an energy source that encourages good bacteria to grow in the tank, overtaking the anaerobic bacteria that generates the hydrogen sulphide gas that causes most of the unpleasant smells in a pump-out tank. Hi Alan (Dickins), Use only the best quality sanitation grade material as recommended by the toilet system manufacturer. Holding tanks can be made of stainless steel but a more common material is polyethylene. type have YOU got? Theoretically, a tank could be installed centrally if built into the bilges under the sub floor but this would take careful planning of pipe work and regard to future access. Dont compromise on the pipe work. (The UK Being surrounded by water), The Envirolet is designed for the Canadian and USA climate, which may surprise you Retro-fitting a gauge into the holding tank is generally more complex. Try where possible to minimise pipe work runs to external vents, flush and discharge ports, with an eye on how easy the ports are to access when you actually pump-out. We jumped at it. And what With regards to composting toilets, the friable waste, collected from the lower tray, (Should be friable and clean), rather like 3/8 to dust scalpings and can be handled I only mention this because it is not unpleasant, as one would imagine. You have to buy and fit new seals to the toilet bowl and the cassette mounting occasionally. Practically, the most common location for the holding tank is under the bed base or dinette. LeeSan your enquiry details, Alternatively for more information use any of the following methods. However, the pull of England's muddy ditches proved too much for them. For pumping out holding tanks there is often a fee. It is still important to fit an in-line charcoal filter to ensure an odour free cabin. Having a spare cassette eases the issue as it is in no way acceptable to dump the contents either into a bush on the towpath or into the cut! around for sani-stations and basically cruise from one sani-station to another every 3 days or so, I wouldnt have the *pump-out* type as this is a continual drain on funds paying Handy for checking when the tank is almost full, but not very pleasant. They are not stupid or simple ones and anyone not having previous experience is likely to ask similar questions, so let us be positive in the reply for you to enable you to make, What will be a VERY IMPORTANT decision, as toilet maintenance does affect your routine lifestyle, All around the canal system (And less so on the rivers) there are Sani-Stations. Some of these units can be hooked up to a pump-out storage tank should you require extra long periods between empties. This winter (2011/2012) has been very mild to date but last year the whole canal system was frozen for six weeks so boats with pump out toilets only had a bit of a problem. (Anaerobic but the relative humidity over there is Arid at around 3%, I modified my loo to separate the solids from the liquid and treat the solids (Squirt Chemicals are available for periodic maintenance of tanks. These are like an open drain specifically for toilet waste and usually with a water supply nearby to wash down the drain and your cassette once it is empty. After six and a half years living on a narrowboat on England's inland waterways, Paul and his wife Cynthia wandered Europe by motorhome during the winter, and on the Dutch and French waterways in the warmer months on their 35' Dutch motor cruiser. All of them have a plastic or stainless steel waste tank very close to the toilet. Theyre cheap, dont infuse the boat with a musky odour and last for years too. For the more environmentally conscious, there are products available that offer a greener option to the traditional formaldehyde based waste tank treatments. Copyright 2008-2022 PicClick Inc. All Rights Reserved. At the time of writing this service will cost around 15 per session & some stations will require 2 gos at getting the tank clean. Because most of these types of loo have a small extractor fan in the vent system, Remember with a waste holding tank all fittings must be taken from the top of the tank. As an overview, we will say that the days of galvanised buckets and gazunders are, for most, long gone (the chamber pot that gazunder the bed in case youre wondering). We bought our ex hire boat 3years ago and have found our macerator/pump out system very effective. The smallest macerator on the market currently is only 295mm (11.6in) high, which makes it practical for smaller boats and cruisers. With an emphasis on the environment, easy installation and space saving, the initial cost is relatively high compared to a cassette unit. 3 watchers, 0.3 new watchers per day, 12 days for sale on eBay. You will find Elsan points at marinas, boatyards and at British Waterways service points along the canal. If you are purchasing a second hand narrowboat, the type of toilet may be a deciding factor over which boats you are interested in as it is not easy to change the type of toilet down the line. The basic pump out toilet is mechanically as simple as a cassette toilet. The cassette toilet, of which Porta Potti is a make, works on the same principle. Pump-out toilet bowls are the most domestic styled in size and height. Make a note in your boat maintenance schedule for planned replacement of this inexpensive charcoal filter. Its between 10 -20. The disadvantages of cassette toilets on narrowboats are: It looks and acts just like a normal toilet. Generally speaking, the further north you are, the more reasonable the charge. They are mostly operated by marinas around the system and is a paid service. The toilet pictured is the model that I have on my own boat. Actually there are THREE types of toilet usually associated with narrowboats >> The LeeSan Light Duty Manual Self Pump Out Kit has been designed for boat owners who need to be able to pump out their own waste tanks to a sewer or portable tank on an occasional basis. The down sides of this unit are: Its noisy while drawing a vacuum. That is not exactly true I do buy liquid compost accelerator from the Garden Even the biggest capacity tanks will require emptying. When travelling and stopping to sight-see/relax there may be the odd occasion when it becomes tight on capacity. many thanks. I didnt get on with my Envirolet (MyComposting Loo) for more than The vent pipe will vent odours externally through a skin fitting. Remember to allow for maintenance access to the main control box and to ensure it cannot get contaminated by any future water leaks. Many older narrowboats started out with the trusty cassette camping toilet. If it wont be accessible there is always the option to use ABS plastic pipe work and fittings. Olive oil lightly smeared on will do the job without attacking the seal. You need to empty your cassette in what is referred to as an Elsan disposal point. We have really found your site useful. Interesting reading your comments, the modification you mention is it something a competent DIYer could do. Your canal boat toilet is one piece of boating kit you really want to keep in good condition! I will ask Allan to answer your question about compost. It is referred to as a dump through toilet. Even this can be dispensed with for an appropriately sized solar powered vent. (This may depend on how much beer, wine and water you drink and how often one uses pub/restaurant toilets too! Its easier to sort a pipe blockage if youve planned ahead! than through the side of the boat, (More efficient), can you tell me what envirolet you have and what the modifications were. Alan. You do need to be very careful with what is disposed of in a macerator toilet to ensure no blockages occur. Cassette, pump-out or composting? Modern narrow boat sanitation systems range from portable caravan type chemical toilets to porcelain lined fully flushing systems that closely resemble domestic WC s. From plastic to vitreous china bowls the choice is restricted only by your budget and requirements. Warickshire Contact details , as follows: Each has advantages and disadvantages but which is best for you? Simple physics! this boasted a remote cassette and ceramic bowl. The tank is often stored in the space under your bed (so when youre laying in bed on a windy night being rocked to sleep by what you think are waves outside the boat maybe its not waves you hear). Therefore you will often find sanitation stations or chemical disposal points referred to as Elsan points. The cassette would be enough for me on my own but not practical for a larger group. Telephone: +44 (0)1295 770000 Fax: +44 (0)1295 770022 e-mail: sales@leesan.com. So far it hasnt been too bad. These gauges work using ultra-sonic and listens for an echo; others use a shaker/accelerator method. The basic ones rarely go wrong. I understand that Paul is developing a marina map but apart from guide books having facilities on the map would be of interest. A family of four eating and drinking on board all the time though will probably have to empty the tank once a week at a cost of about ?15. Natural enzyme based additives these claim to aid the breakdown of solids and thus reduce the smells. In response to Dannyboyz question, Im just looking to buy a 70ft boat which was originally an 8-berth. Holding tanks take up storage space and can upset ballast if not correctly located. This is not always possible but worth thinking about. The other end of the spectrum are the fully plumbed in electric flush units that can even be specified with ceramic bowls for easy clean and a homely feel. You are the salt of the earthYou are the light of the world LeeSan Manual Self Pump Out Kit, Light Duty. Some more, some less. Speak to your narrowboat / widebeam boat builder to have these included. I suppose you could always have a portapotty in the cupboard just in case just as we do now. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are two options to choose from, either an internal sensor in the tank or an external sensor on the tank gauge. Many private marinas and boat yards also operate pump-out facilities. Full stop. Canal Boat, Narrow Boat. me. The solid waste is the same consistency as soil once dried and you can bag it and bin it in normal household rubbish bins. Prices and purchase available from: LeeSan, at Fenny Compton. There is a wide variety of treatments available for dealing with both stored waste and for keeping the toilet systems in good order. there isnt a problem when one has a *Curry Night Out* There is never an odour One is also able to purchase self-pump-out kits (Manual and Electric). The reservoir is separated from the bowl for emptying. I may even need to re-instate both pumpouts (the holding tanks are still in place) but either way, I would still keep the cassette toilet as back-up. the cassett lasts 4 person/days, so with guests on board I have to empty it every day, otherwise it last two days. Blank rotary moulded plastic tanks are a good choice because you can decide on the position of the tank fittings. The cassette emptying points are called Elsan points. Usually blue or green in colour. As the waste doesnt stay in the cassette very long before it is disposed of it doesnt have the time to start to break down. Composting toilets are also marketed as being odour free. Ours leaks when you flush it. Only The weight of the waste cassette: My water tank holds 21l so, when the tank is full it weighs roughly the same as a bag of coal. At every marina, some boatyards and at some BW service points. In fact, if you dont mind me being quite candid here, I tend to just use my toilet for having a wee. In my case, I put this in a bucket, with a lid on and place it on the roof for another period of time as the process is not fully completed, (Thats by the by and is the method I use). Seller: cleza-2007 (862) 100%, You can empty a cassette down a foul manhole (NOT a stormwater drain) or in desperation dig a hole and bury it somewhere discretely in the countryside if you cannot get to a disposal point. Sorry if they seem stupid questions, Im just trying to determine the finer details..or in this case not so fine. Some owners of pump-out systems carry their own portable pump-out kit. This comment system isnt used much these days. a prepared liquid over the mass) on each use. You also have the option to buy (and store on board somewhere) a range of self pump-out equipment that will enable you to use sanitation points that do not have the facility. This diameter will either be 41mm, which is likely to require theLeeSan 1 1/4" NPT Pump Out Adapter (TT041A), or if the diameter of the deck filler plug thread is 48mm you will likely require theLeeSan 1 1/2" BSP Pump Out Adapter (TT041B). centres and I use Bio-Magic occasionally in the very hot weather, (Summer), This is also marked on the maps. British Waterways, (Soon to become a trust) also have pump-out stations in strategic places. The composter does sound interesting but I think I would be worried about what might happen if anything went wrong with the composting action at any time! This is the principle consideration when planning the position of the toilet. If you have a used boat with issues such as this, replacing pipe work and filters can often revitalise the system and is an alternative to removal and full replacement. A macerator is a machine which reduces solids into smaller pieces, think of it like a soup maker!. Holding tanks (Vacu-Flush,Dump Through, Masserator etc) Gauges will often be fitted at empty, half full and full positions on the holding tank and connected to a control box with LED display. This is something no land lubber ever really has to deal with in a normal domestic situation, unless employed as a plumber or sanitation worker! Sometimes it can be part of the mooring fee (see marina services). Firstly, I would like to say thanks for the info on your website. Item: 113163796656 Canal Boat, Narrow Boat. More importantly, it no longer holds its vacuum so Ive installed a switch next to the loo and turn it on when you need to flush it and off again afterwards. The disadvantages of a pump out toilet are: Whichever toilet you choose, youll get much closer to the contents of your toilet than you ever do at home, but youll soon get used to it. Some marinas and boat yards will offer this included in the price of pump-out. It is advisable to cut another access/inspection hatch for ease of future maintenance, nearest to the waste out pipe. These toilets work by separating solids from liquids. Even when extended cruising, we never used the pumpout at all for the next 8 years. The kit is mounted on a board for easy storage and portability.Complete with 2 m Suction hose and 10 m Layflat discharge hose.RRP 310Also included - 4x 23l waste containers. In general terms, two people will fill a 17/19L cassette in around 2 days. Or is there a restriction on what can be pumped out (chemical etc.)? These basic units are self contained, require no plumbing, very little space and are fully portable. Because pump out toilets have a large waste tank they dont need emptying so often. Thank you for your questions And NO! The only work installing them is to fit a vent, preferably vertical, rather I inherited one when I bought the boat. The good thing about this design is that its a very simple setup so theres very little to go wrong. I wish you good luck with the choice of your proposed new narrowboat I am confident you will wish you had taken this decision years ago! The advantage of using a cassette toilet is that you dont have to move your boat to a service point in order to empty your toilet. In this section we hope to be able to advise you on which system is the best suited to your needs. We are familiar with the cassette toilet as we have a caravan but wonder where they are emptied when you are not in a marina. A large number of marinas on the system also offer pump-out services. Latest systems have an inbuilt macerator within the porcelain of the toilet bowl which makes a very simple, space saving and elegant installation. Flushing fluid is contained in a reservoir around the bowl and flush is activated by either pushing on a bellows type button or twisting a lever. Solid waste is collected in a paper bowl liner and flushed without water into a composting tank below the bowl. The middle ground, if there is one, is to have a cassette toilet with one or more spare cassettes in case you are caught short. Another boat of the same type on our marina claim to be able to go for 8 10weeks between pump outs. There is a compromise where ever you fit them as sometimes the gunnel will be on the opposite side to the pump out station and it needs a fairly nimble person to use roof mounted ports. Some will also have an audio warning. This particular model has a 15l flush tank, a 21l waste tank and is roughly cube shaped and 400mm on each side. Potential for problems: The cassette toilet is a very simple affair with few mechanical parts. interested). Capacity: If there are two or more of you on board you will probably need to empty your cassette at least every other day. It makes an awful mess! Would You Like A Canal Boat Toilet Quotation? a roof vent with a revolving anti-downdraught cowl. In these systems waste is fed to a holding tank which, depending upon usage and capacity, is regularly discharged into a land based sanitation station, be it tank or mains sewage. around Evesham, I think). Using our narrowboat & widebeam Design Service will help you to design your layout to encompass the toilet of your choice. There are two types of toilet you can use on your narrowboat; theres the pump out toilet and the cassette toilet (sometimes referred to as a Porta Potti). We purchased a second hand boat last year and are now haveing problems with our Dometic vacuflush toilet. The majority of these units will have cassette access to the rear, being designed for caravans and motor homes where an access door can be externally mounted.
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