What are the different
types of toilet systems for a caravan / motorhome?
The Internal Cassette Type Toilet
The toilet
consists of two parts: a permanently installed toilet
and a waste tank that you can access and easily detach
from outside. To prepare the toilet for use, you simply
add toilet fluid to the waste tank. For models with an
in-built water tank, you also need to fill the water
tank. The toilet is then ready for use. A level
indicator shows when you have to empty the waste tank.
Then all you have to do is detach the waste tank and
empty it in the nearest authorised waste dump. After
that, you make the toilet ready for use again.
A small
door on the outside of your caravan or motorhome gives
you access to the detachable waste tank, making it much
easier to prepare the tank for use from outside. It also
makes it easier to empty and top up the waste tank
hygienically.
The
various models, with either rotating or fixed toilet
bowls, blend in seamlessly with your bathroom, making
the best use of the limited space.
The Porta Potti
Because these toilets
are compact, lightweight and easy to use, the porta
potti is often used in caravans, motorhomes, boats and
camper trailers. The porta potti is simple to transport
and really can be placed anywhere. It is small
enough to pull out from under your caravan bed and
slides neatly away again when not in use.
The porta
potti consists of two sections. The upper section is a
combined flush water tank and toilet bowl with
detachable seat and cover. The lower section is the
waste holding tank. These two parts are easy to attach
and detach using a lever at the rear of the toilet. In
this way, the waste holding tank can be simply and
hygienically emptied and cleaned. Most porta
pottis are equipped with a level indicator. In this way
you are warned in good time that the waste holding tank
must be emptied.
Can I
empty my porta potti / toilet cassette in septic toilets
?
Thetford
Australia advises "Both Aqua Kem Green and Premium Aqua
Kem Green can be disposed of into a septic system"
What
chemicals should I use for my porta potti / toilet ?
Things
to consider when assessing many of the different
chemicals available for your caravan's toilet / porta
potti are -
Does
the chemical chosen
suppress unpleasant smells;
promote the breakdown of solids and toilet paper;
protect moving parts and extend the life span of
your toilet / porta potti;
reduce formation of gas;
keep your waste tank hygienic and clean;
meet
environmentally free standards ie: is it
formaldehyde free?
Why should I choose formaldehyde free
toilet chemicals ?
What is formaldehyde ?
It is defined as ‘a chemical used in manufacturing
and chemical industries, and as a preservative by
anatomists, embalmers, and pathologists. Being exposed
to formaldehyde may increase the risk of developing
leukaemia and brain cancer.’
Formaldehyde is toxic to animals, plants and humans and
exposure may cause irritation to the eyes, throat and
nose and can cause lung and skin allergies. It is often
used as an active ingredient in toilet chemicals to
break down and sterilize the ‘black water’ or toilet
waste.
Toilet waste containing the formaldehyde chemical is
really only suitable for disposing of in sewerage
systems
in the city where there is sufficient water and other
wastes to break down or dilute the formaldehyde. When
travelling in regional or remote areas it is not
suitable to dispose of in drop toilets, country town
septic toilets or even buried in the bush.
Some regional towns have CMCA/ KEA sponsored ‘dump’
points however if your toilet cassette or ‘black water’
waste contains formaldehyde it should not be disposed of
in those facilities as it can de-nature the waste
breakdown. There is also considerable cost for local
shire councils to remedy the problem as they often lack
the availability of sufficient water to dilute the waste
solutions.
Some toilet products may also be formaldehyde free but
unsuitable for recirculating toilets and holding tank
models.
Vacuum Toilets
What is a vacuum toilet ?
A vacuum toilet is a toilet system developed for
caravans and motor homes. It comprises a toilet
bowl from which extends a pipe to the cassette.
It operates similar to a toilet on an aircraft
so when you flush, the vacuum in the line sucks
the contents in the toilet bowl, using very
little water, to the tank.
One manufacturer, Dometic, supplies ceramic
toilet bowls with a vacuum toilet for caravan,
motorhomes and marine sailing and power craft.
The manufacturer claims the action of the vacuum
breaks the waste down so no chemicals are
required. They promote the benefits as odour
free, extremely low energy and water
consumption, as well as allowing greater design
flexibility due to the remote cassette
installation.
The vacuum pump requires power to operate and if
by chance your battery is flat it will not
operate.
One point to consider though would be not to
locate the remote cassette under your bed as the
pump runs for about 60 seconds to reset the
vacuum and this may be inconvenient, for the
sleeping partner, if it is used during the
night.
Another of the Dometic models has a holding tank
system suitable for coaches and motorhomes.
These holding tanks are available, depending on
the manufacture of your vehicle, in 35, 60 and
90 litre capacity. Dumping is at the push of a
button with a small bore hose to a nearby
dumping station.
SOG Toilet Ventilator
The SOG toilet ventilation system is a 12V
fan kit system that can be connected to
the
toilet cassette holding tanks. There are 4 kit types - Type
A kit system is for the C2, C3 and C4 models. Type B for
C200, Type D for C400 and Type F for C250 model.
Installation instructions are included with the SOG kit and
it comes with a 2 year warranty.
The SOG toilet ventilation system comprises a
90 degree connecting elbow which is inserted into a 35mm
hole drilled into the elbow of the pour out spout of the
cassette toilet
and
an exhaust hose that connects from the elbow of the pour out
spout to a 36mm hole in the cassette door where an air exit
hole is covered by a filter housing containing a carbon
filter. Replacement carbon filters are available and it is
recommended the carbon filter be changed once
a year
depending upon
use.
Cables
are connected to the 12V caravan supply and once the blade
valve is opened the ventilator
will
run.
The unit will stop
as soon as you close the blade valve. The power current
consumption is stated at 0.43 Watts and only uses this while
the toilet is in use.
Information available with the SOG toilet
ventilation system states no toilet chemicals are needed as
decomposition is optimum due to the increased oxygen flow.
There are no smells as the fresh air acts as a seal and
prevents smells from rising with the smell ventilated
outside the RV through the carbon filter. It states that you
can use normal commercial toilet paper and this is fully
decomposed and the toilet cassette can be emptied every 5
days (or when full).
To empty the toilet cassette the hose from
the connecting elbow
needs to
be removed and a stopper is provided to plug the elbow. If
removing the hose is difficult spray the stopper and plastic
parts with silicone spray.
SOG Toilet Ventilators are available from
Aussie Traveller, caravan accessory stores and online
caravan, motorhome & RV accessory stores.