Throne installation details

Slowly I seem to be making progress. It sure is easy to take for granted plumbing systems in which the connections and fittings are standardized. I still have a few challenges on the throne side of the system but here is where I am at so far.

I am finding it easier to place photos into a web album, so if you wish to see all of my photos, go to the following URL: http://picasaweb.google.com/shawntisdell/CompostingToiletForWeb . I will only place those most relevant photos to my discussion here.

	Based on the outline of the toilet base, I traced and cut out a plywood-2 by 8 -plywood sandwich to get a 3 inch thick layer. I tapered the edge mainly for asthetics. This gives a working seat height of 17 1/2 inches. This height is no magic number, it just seems to be about right for most of the family members, especially for our two 5 foot tall special needs ladies.
	Here is an off the shelf oval seat. Dimensionally it should fit, however bolt attachments will need to be modified to fit the narrow back of the toilet. I'm not sure if I will use this seat or find another that matches better. This must be a joint decision between my wife and I. We are trying to make it all as attractive as possible for those that may use our new throne. I will keep you posted as we make progress.
	The arrow shows where I needed an adapter. The second photo shows a make-shift adapter to be key for this 1 1/4" urinal outlet. I found this adapter as a part of a three part compression seal. Now the adapter fits into a 1 1/2 reducer to 3/4" pvc line which passes through the floor. Now where are my pictures? If you see problems with this, please let me know.

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The new Throne

This is where the user action will be occuring. I was not dimensionally sure what I would be getting when I ordered a urine diverting made in Mexico toilet from Ecovita, but this is it. Now I am trying to figure out the best way to adapt this to our household use. In the photo, the back oval is not a seat, but a diverter for women (or men who are poor shots) of urine to the front and into the urinal. We have some atypical uses, in that two of our family members are special needs.

I have several known details to address.

1. Height-I figure I need 2-3 more inches for our special needs members
   
2. A seat that fits. I am not sure how well our off the shelf oval seats will fit and anchor to this toilet.
   
3. How should I handle the urine? There is a 1" dia hole in the bottom of urinal and I will need to get this to my former toilet base without allowing sewer gas back in. I want it to be easily detachable.
   

Composting-turning waste into life

For the past 15 years I have been involved in researching and creating compost. I have seen large municipal and sewage sludge composting facilities, and turned or let rot my own compost piles. I have dreamed and hoped that composting would solve our worlds garbage problems, and have been brought to earth in realizing life is not that simple. Aside from my laboratory work, most of my personal observations have not been documented, I have been enjoying the experience of learning and relearning, observing and thinking. But it seems time to begin to take quantifiable action. It has and continues to be a fascinating journey.

This blog is an attempt to relate my failures and successes with composting toilets I have made or purchased.

I am presently working with Carol Steinfeld to develop a site specific 55 gal plastic barrel batch composter. This setup will use a urine diverting toilet with a direct path to the barrel below. I will not use a net since I will hopefully not have to focus on high evaporation levels.

I will try to document steps along the way, but sometimes as I get focused on construction, I forget documentation.


Please add comments/questions -criticisms are welcome